Wednesday’s 17-game slate featured five wins, 11 saves, seven losses, and four blown saves by relievers. Here are the saves in condensed form:
There have been 777 saves this season by 204 different pitchers.
Here are the vulture save options:
Vulture Save Options for 7.23.2026
- None are advised.
Vulture Save Stashes for 7.24.2026
- Didier Fuentes (ATL): He pitched two innings on Wednesday and could be in play for a save on Friday after having today off if Iglesias and Lee are used in back-to-back games.
- Ryne Stanek (STL): If O’Brien pitches today, it’s consecutive appearances and three in four days.
For those interested in our premium option (ad-free content), please use this LINK. It is $15 and covers the trade deadline and the second half of the season, and includes a sneak preview of this service for upcoming seasons. Premium operates via Substack in 2026. Please include your preferred email address, and we will manually add you to our ad-free list. You can also Venmo the $15 to @gjewett9.
Preserving a two-run lead at the bottom of the tenth in Game 1, Gregory Soto notched his 13th save, retiring the Yankees’ 4-5-6 hitters in order and striking out one. He threw 16 pitches (50% Strike Rate) and produced one whiff. Mason Montgomery earned his third win, logging 1.1 scoreless innings, walking one and striking out two on 19 pitches (12 strikes – 63.2% Strike Rate) with three whiffs (15.8 SwStr%). Carmen Mlodzinski suffered his first blown save, giving up three hits, including Ben Rice’s game-tying three-run home run, and two walks while striking out two across 2.2 innings.
Although the team won this contest, it was strange that Don Kelly did not bring Soto or Montgomery into the game against Ben Rice with a three-run lead at the bottom of the eighth. However, it also underscores the lack of relievers in his circle of trust right now, both of whom are left-handed.
Taking over at the bottom of the seventh in Game 2, Brandon Eisert allowed two hits, two earned runs, and a walk while striking out one, resulting in his second loss.
Windows of opportunity can be fleeting. How Ben Cherington handles the trade deadline and the reliever market may determine the fate of the Pirates’ postseason pursuit this year.
Updated Hierarchy: *Gregory Soto | *Mason Montgomery | Carmen Mlodzinski
*= closer-by-committee
Three Takeaways
Lucy Van Pelt has nothing on Will Venable: Just when the fantasy community believed Grant Taylor was being deployed as a closer, recording a save in three of his previous four appearances, the narrative shifted in Texas. He took over in the bottom of the seventh, logging two scoreless innings, striking out five of six batters on 28 pitches (18 strikes – 64.3% Strike Rate) with two whiffs, notching his sixth hold, going through the heart of the batting order. Bryan Hudson fired a clean bottom of the ninth and recorded two strikeouts while facing the Rangers’ 6-7-8 hitters for his fourth save. He threw 12 pitches (66.7% Strike Rate) and produced three whiffs (25 SwStr%). This marked his first save since June 10, and extended his scoreless streak to five games. Jordan Hicks tossed a clean sixth, striking out one for his fifth hold, extending his scoreless streak to 11 games, during which he’s racked up 18 strikeouts against two walks over 10.2 innings.
Updated Hierarchy: Grant Taylor | Bryan Hudson | Jordan Hicks
Motown movement in the hierarchy: Closing out a four-run lead, Kenley Jansen worked around a two-out walk of Ian Happ with a game-ending groundout by Nico Hoerner. He threw 19 pitches (11 strikes – 57.9% Strike Rate) and produced four whiffs (21.1 SwStr%) while striking out one. Kyle Finnegan notched his 12th hold, retiring the side and striking out one in the eighth. Drew Anderson allowed a hit and struck out two in a scoreless seventh, securing his sixth hold. Drew Sommers stranded an inherited runner while recording two outs in the sixth for his fifth hold. Keider Montero had been used as a leverage option in five relief outings previously this month, but was the winning pitcher as a starter in this game. His role may be fluid, but with every win pivotal, he may be needed in the rotation.
Updated Hierarchy: Kenley Jansen | Kyle Finnegan | Drew Anderson
An audition for the last two months? Presented a two-run lead, Steven Cruz retired his first two batters faced, allowed Casey Schmitt’s solo home run, then induced a game-ending pop-out for his first career save. He threw 10 pitches (80% Strike Rate) and produced two whiffs. He’s been scoreless in seven of nine games in July, posting a 0.807 WHIP with seven strikeouts and two walks (16.1 K-BB%) over 8.2 innings. Daniel Lynch IV tossed a clean top of the eighth, securing his 12th hold.
As a projected seller ahead of the trade deadline, Lynch IV, Alex Lange, John Schreiber, and Matt Strahm are reportedly available. There is an old adage: if you are going to lose, lose young, and this may pave the way for Cruz getting more save chances as the season progresses. Monitor his results through the end of the month.
Hierarchy Remains: Alex Lange | Daniel Lynch IV | John Schreiber
Here are the remaining leverage events of interest from Wednesday.
American League
Boston Red Sox – (Game 1) – Aroldis Chapman secured his 23rd save, working around Jackson Holliday’s leadoff single with a double-play groundout, issued a two-out walk, then induced a game-ending groundout by Pete Alonso. Chapman threw 13 pitches (6 strikes – 46.2% Strike Rate) without a whiff. The good news is that he’s been scoreless in seven of eight games in July and has tied Dennis Eckersley for ninth all-time with 390 saves. However, he’s issued four walks over his last three appearances and owns a 1.25 WHIP through eight innings this month.
- Garrett Whitlock retired the side in the eighth, recording his 19th hold.
- Justin Slaten stranded a runner in the sixth and logged 1.1 scoreless innings, yielding a hit and striking out one for his 14th hold.
Hierarchy Remains: Aroldis Chapman | Garrett Whitlock | Justin Slaten
Houston Astros – Securing his sixth save, Bryan Abreu fired a clean top of the ninth, closing out a three-run lead against Miami while filling in capably for Josh Hader. Abreu threw 14 pitches (9 strikes – 64.3% Strike Rate) and induced one whiff. It’s his first save since June 13, and he’s on a modest three-game scoreless streak.
- Steven Okert earned his third win, tossing a clean top of the eighth, followed by a three-run rally at the bottom of the inning.
- Enyel De Los Santos allowed a hit and struck out two in a scoreless seventh.
Hierarchy Remains: Josh Hader | Bryan Abreu | Steven Okert
New York Yankees – (Game 1) – Taking over at the top of the tenth, Fernando Cruz issued Marcell Ozuna a one-out walk, followed by Jared Triolo’s RBI single scoring the “courtesy runner,” Jake Mangum’s RBI flared single, and another walk, prompting his removal. He finished with two hits, two runs (one earned), and two walks, resulting in his fourth loss.
- Kervin Castro retired both batters faced, striking out two and stranding all three inherited runners.
- David Bednar allowed a hit and a walk while striking out one in a scoreless ninth, throwing 22 pitches (50% Strike Rate) with three whiffs (13.6 SwStr%), extending his scoreless streak to 18 games, spanning 21.2 innings.
- Brent Headrick fired a clean eighth, striking out the side.
(Game 2) – Called on with two outs and two runners on, Tim Hill induced a game-ending groundout by Ryan O’Hearn for his first save of the season and first since 2021.
- Will Warren allowed a hit and a walk while striking out one during two-thirds of the ninth, and was credited with his first hold.
- Paul Blackburn earned his third win, tossing two scoreless innings, walking one and striking out three.
Hierarchy Remains: David Bednar | Fernando Cruz | Brent Headrick
Tampa Bay Rays – Locking down his 26th save, Bryan Baker fired a clean bottom of the ninth in Toronto, preserving a two-run lead while striking out one. He threw nine pitches (77.8% Strike Rate) without a whiff. This extended his scoreless streak to seven games, during which he’s posted a 0.571 WHIP with seven strikeouts and one walk (25 K-BB%) across seven innings.
- Kevin Kelly retired all four batters, one via strikeout, for his 20th hold.
- Cam Booser served up a solo shot by Alejandro Kirk and struck out one during two-thirds of the seventh, securing his fifth hold.
Hierarchy Remains: Bryan Baker | Kevin Kelly | Garrett Cleavinger
Quick Hits
- Baltimore Orioles: Sealing a split in a doubleheader at Boston in Game 2, Tyler Wells hit Willson Contreras with a pitch, then retired the Red Sox 5-6-7 hitters, preserving a four-run lead. Andrew Kittredge allowed a hit and struck out one in a scoreless eighth. Yennier Cano worked a clean seventh.
- Minnesota Twins: Wrapping up a win in Cleveland, Yoendrys Gómez allowed two hits and an earned run while striking out one in the bottom of the ninth. Andrew Morris had his 16-game scoreless streak snapped, giving up a solo home run by Kyle Manzardo among his two hits and a walk while striking out one in the eighth. Travis Adams collected his second win, yielding a hit across two scoreless innings.
- Seattle Mariners: With a one-run lead at the top of the seventh, Eduard Bazardo had an untimely meltdown, issuing a one-out walk, followed by a Ke’Bryan Hayes single, and a go-ahead three-run home run by Sal Stewart, resulting in his third loss and a third blown save.
- Texas Rangers: Deployed in an eventual two-run loss, Jacob Latz fired a clean top of the ninth, striking out one on 14 pitches (71.4% Strike Rate) with two whiffs (14.3 SwStr%). He owns a seven-game scoreless streak, during which he’s recorded a 0.556 WHIP with eight strikeouts and three walks across nine innings.
- Toronto Blue Jays: Appearing in an eventual loss, Louis Varland allowed Nick Fortes’ one-out single and then induced an inning-ending double-play groundout by Yandy Díaz.
National League
Atlanta Braves – Pressed into duty with a runner on and one out, Raisel Iglesias was greeted by a two-run home run by Luis Rengifo, recorded a strikeout of Manny Machado, followed by a game-ending strikeout of Ty France, sealing the one-run lead for his 20th save. He has converted four of five save chances in July; however, he has allowed a home run in consecutive appearances and in three of his last six games. Through eight games in July, he’s allowed at least a run in four, resulting in a 1.173 WHIP, so it’s the home runs hurting him. Hope lies in his 10 strikeouts against one walk (28.1 K-BB%) across 7.2 innings this month and converting 20 of 21 save opportunities this season.
- Victor Mederos allowed three hits, four earned runs, and a walk during one-third of the ninth.
- Dylan Lee collected his fifth win, firing a clean eighth and striking out one.
- Didier Fuentes suffered his third blown save, giving up three hits, including a game-tying solo home run by Jackson Merrill, and a walk while striking out two across two innings.
- Dylan Dodd tossed a clean fifth, striking out two.
Hierarchy Remains: Raisel Iglesias | Didier Fuentes | Dylan Lee
Cincinnati Reds – Shutting the door on his ninth save, Emilio Pagán retired the side against Seattle’s 5-6-7 hitters on 20 pitches (55% Strike Rate) without a whiff. He has turned in back-to-back scoreless outings with a save in each during this series and may be rounding into form.
- Brock Burke secured his 11th hold, stranding a runner in the seventh and logging 1.1 scoreless innings while giving up a hit.
Hierarchy Remains: Emilio Pagán | Brock Burke | Tejay Antone
Milwaukee Brewers – Handed a two-run lead at the top of the ninth, Trevor Megill issued Tyrone Taylor a leadoff walk, retired the next two batters, then allowed an RBI single by Francisco Alvarez before inducing a game-ending groundout by A.J. Ewing, recording his 16th save. He threw 14 pitches (57.1% Strike Rate) without a whiff in this outing that snapped his 15-game scoreless streak. However, he has converted his last eight save opportunities while posting a 0.75 WHIP with 19 strikeouts and four walks (25 K-BB%) across his last 16 innings.
- Abner Uribe navigated around two hits and recorded two strikeouts for his 15th hold in a scoreless eighth.
- Aaron Ashby logged two scoreless innings, walking one and striking out four, notching his eighth hold.
Hierarchy Remains: Trevor Megill | Abner Uribe | Aaron Ashby
San Francisco Giants – Entering at the bottom of the seventh, Sam Hentges allowed a bunt single by Michael Massey and a one-out single by Starling Marte, then was removed.
Keaton Winn let both inherited runners score, giving up a game-tying RBI single by Nick Loftin, issued Carter Jensen a two-out walk, followed by Lane Thomas’ two-RBI single. He finished with two hits, an earned run, and a walk during two-thirds of an inning, resulting in his second blown save. Hentges was awarded his fifth hold and charged with his third loss in one-third of an inning.
Erik Miller worked a scoreless bottom of the eighth, yielding a hit and striking out one.
Hierarchy Remains: *Erik Miller | *Caleb Kilian | Keaton Winn
*= closer-by-committee
St. Louis Cardinals – Sealing a shutout and his 26th save, Riley O’Brien issued two walks and recorded three strikeouts at the bottom of the ninth against the Angels. He threw 26 pitches (15 strikes – 57.7% Strike Rate) and produced five whiffs (19.2 SwStr%). Through seven appearances in July, he’s converted five of six save chances with a 1.58 WHIP and 10 strikeouts versus six walks (13.3 K-BB%) across 6.1 innings.
- George Soriano notched his 16th hold, retiring the side and striking out one in the eighth.
- Luis Gastelum allowed a hit and struck out one in a scoreless seventh for his first hold.
Hierarchy Remains: Riley O’Brien | George Soriano | Ryne Stanek
Quick Hits
- Arizona Diamondbacks: During a lopsided win, Jonathan Loáisiga extended his scoreless streak to 15 games, working a clean top of the eighth and striking out one. Since June 12, he has posted a 0.60 WHIP with 13 strikeouts and two walks across 15 innings.
- Colorado Rockies: Amid a shutout loss, Brennan Bernardino fired a clean top of the sixth, facing Washington’s 3-4-5 hitters, and recorded two strikeouts. He has been scoreless in his last six appearances.
- San Diego Padres: After wriggling out of trouble in the bottom of the seventh, Adrian Morejon navigated around two hits and recorded two strikeouts for a scoreless outing. Wandy Peralta gave up three hits, four earned runs, and a walk during one-third of the eighth, resulting in his second loss. Randy Vásquez let both inherited runners score, giving up four hits and two earned runs while striking out one during two-thirds of the eighth.
- Washington Nationals: Completing a rare combined shutout in Coors Field, Max Kranick worked around a hit and a walk while striking out one at the bottom of the ninth. Eddy Yean logged two innings, allowing a hit and a walk with one strikeout.
Holds Tally
Here are the 19 holds from Wednesday’s slate:
Thanks for being a part of the Closer Monkey community. Stay safe and be well.
Statistical Credits: