Saturday’s slate featured four wins, nine saves, four losses, and two blown saves by relievers. Here are the saves in condensed form:
There have been 802 saves this season by 209 different pitchers. In the previous five MLB seasons, the league average for pitchers with a save was just over 214:
This season may surpass the last five years’ 214.4 average by the trade deadline, if not the end of July.
Here are the vulture save options:
Vulture Save Option for 7.26.2026
- Steven Okert (HOU): Hader and Abreu have pitched in back-to-back games.
- Fernando Cruz (NYY): Bednar has worked in two straight.
- Evan Phillips (LAD): Scott has appeared in consecutive contests.
Vulture Save Stashes for 7.27.2026
- Abner Uribe (MIL): If Megill pitches today, it will be back-to-back outings.
- Kevin Kelly (TB): If Baker is used in today’s game, it’s two straight games for the closer.
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Our Trade Deadline Market Trends for relievers entering gameplay on July 24.
Protecting a one-run lead, Brock Stewart retired the side and struck out two against the Mets for his first save of the season, first since May 23, 2023, and the third of his career. He threw 11 pitches (72.7% Strike Rate) and produced three whiffs (27.3 SwStr%) facing the 2-3-4 pocket.
- Tanner Scott let both inherited runners score on Tyrone Taylor’s pinch-hit double, issued Francisco Alvarez an intentional walk, and recorded an inning-ending strikeout of A.J. Ewing for his seventh hold.
- Edgardo Henriquez issued a walk and hit a batter while striking out two in two-thirds of the eighth, with both earned runs on his ledger after being removed, but was credited with his seventh hold.
- Alex Vesia tossed a scoreless seventh, walking and striking out one, notching his 17th hold.
Edwin Díaz will be the opener in today’s Triple-A contest, his last hurdle for a return. He’s slated to be activated when the team faces Seattle on Tuesday. In his previous two appearances at this level, he has thrown 14 four-seam fastballs (56% usage) and 11 sliders (44% usage) with the following results by velocity:
- Four-seam: Average = 96.1 miles per hour, 97.9 maximum and 94.6 minimum.
- Slider: Average = 88.8 miles per hour, 89.4 maximum and 87.7 minimum
Before going on the injured list, he averaged 95.7 miles per hour with his four-seam and 88.3 miles per hour with the slider according to Statcast, down from 97.2 (four-seam) and 89.1 (slider) in 2025.
Usage patterns and performance will determine his fantasy ceiling for the rest of the season. But the Dodgers have a much deeper bullpen, so the team can ease him back into a closer’s workload.
Updated Hierarchy: Tanner Scott | Alex Vesia | Brock Stewart
And on Tuesday:
Projected Hierarchy: Edwin Díaz | Tanner Scott | Alex Vesia
Here are the remaining leverage events of interest from Saturday.
American League
Baltimore Orioles – After working a clean top of the ninth in a tied contest, Yennier Cano earned his second win on a walk-off rally at the bottom of the inning. He threw nine pitches (88.9% Strike Rate) and generated four whiffs (44.4 SwStr%) while striking out one in his appearance.
- Rico Garcia suffered his fourth blown save, giving up a game-tying solo home run by Ozzie Albies and striking out one in the eighth.
- Grant Wolfram notched his 12th hold, yielding a hit and striking out one in two-thirds of the seventh.
Hierarchy Remains: *Tyler Wells | *Andrew Kittredge | Yennier Cano
*= closer-by-committee
Houston Astros – Forced into action with a runner on and one out at the bottom of the ninth, Josh Hader recorded strikeouts against Luisangel Acuña and Braden Montgomery, securing his 12th save. He threw 10 pitches (70% Strike Rate) and produced three whiffs. Through nine appearances in July, he’s been scoreless in seven with a 1-1 record while converting all four save chances, posting a 1.571 WHIP and 12 strikeouts versus three walks (28.1 K-BB%) over seven innings.
- Bennett Sousa stranded two runners in the eighth, then gave up consecutive singles and an unearned run in the ninth before being removed. He was credited with his third hold, recording an out in the eighth and the ninth innings.
- Bryan Abreu allowed a hit and a walk while striking out one in two-thirds of the eighth.
Hierarchy Remains: Josh Hader | Bryan Abreu | Steven Okert
Kansas City Royals – Called on with a runner on, no outs, and a one-run lead, Alex Lange navigated around Zach McKinstry’s one-out single with a strikeout, followed by a game-ending pop-out, securing his tenth save. He threw 16 pitches (11 strikes – 68.8% Strike Rate) and produced three whiffs (18.8 SwStr%) while recording two strikeouts. He has been scoreless in his last two appearances and three of his six in July, converting three of five save chances while posting a 1.587 WHIP across 5.2 innings.
- Daniel Lynch IV retired the side in the eighth, then gave up a leadoff single by Riley Greene before being removed. He collected his fourth win, yielding only the hit while facing four batters, extending his scoreless streak to five games.
Hierarchy Remains: Alex Lange | Daniel Lynch IV | John Schreiber
Minnesota Twins – Securing his 13th save and a combined shutout, Yoendrys Gómez fired a clean top of the ninth, striking out one against the A’s 5-6-7 hitters. He threw eight pitches (75% Strike Rate) and induced one whiff. He has been scoreless in six of his last seven games, recording a win and four saves while posting a 1.264 WHIP over 6.1 innings.
- Andrew Morris notched his 15th hold, walking one and striking out two in a scoreless eighth.
- Tommy Nance allowed a hit during a scoreless seventh for his third hold.
- Taylor Rogers logged two scoreless innings, giving up a hit and a walk while striking out two, collecting his sixth win.
Hierarchy Remains: Yoendrys Gómez | Andrew Morris | Taylor Rogers
New York Yankees – Locking down his 20th save, a feat he’s reached in four consecutive seasons, David Bednar retired the side in Philadelphia at the bottom of the ninth, preserving a two-run lead. He threw 16 pitches (11 strikes – 68.8% Strike Rate) and induced two whiffs (12.5 SwStr%). He’s also been scoreless in his last 20 appearances, recording a 0.573 WHIP with 24 strikeouts and five walks (22.6 K-BB%) across 22.2 innings while posting three wins and converting all nine save chances.
- Paul Blackburn logged two scoreless innings while walking one batter, securing his second hold.
- Angel Chivilli stranded an inherited runner despite giving up a hit during one-third of the sixth for his first hold.
Hierarchy Remains: David Bednar | Fernando Cruz | Brent Headrick
Tampa Bay Rays – Completing a combined shutout and recording his 27th save, Bryan Baker allowed Travis Bazzana’s one-out single, but retired the next two batters via flyout. He threw 14 pitches (9 strikes – 64.3% Strike Rate) and produced two whiffs (14.3 SwStr%). He’s converted his last 16 save opportunities since May 17, posting a 0.571 WHIP with 19 strikeouts and four walks (19.7 K-BB%) across 21 innings.
- Garrett Cleavinger notched his 17th hold, issuing a walk and striking out two in the eighth.
- Cole Sulser worked a clean seventh, striking out one for his 11th hold.
Hierarchy Remains: Bryan Baker | Kevin Kelly | Garrett Cleavinger
Quick Hits
- Detroit Tigers: Entering at the top of the seventh, Kyle Finnegan allowed two hits, including Salvador Perez’s game-tying solo home run, and recorded a strikeout while getting charged with his seventh blown save in one-third of the seventh inning. Tyler Holton replaced him, retiring three of four batters across the seventh and eighth innings. Jacob Waguespack logged 1.2 innings, giving up Nick Loftin’s go-ahead home run in the ninth, resulting in his first loss.
- The Athletics: In a shutout loss, Luis Medina retired the side and recorded two strikeouts in Minnesota, throwing 17 pitches (12 strikes – 70.6% Strike Rate) with three whiffs (17.6 SwStr%) in the bottom of the eighth. Mason Barnett suffered his first loss as the bulk follower, allowing four hits, two earned runs, and a walk while striking out two across 3.1 innings.
National League
Milwaukee Brewers – Pressed into action with two runners on and two outs at the top of the ninth, Trevor Megill allowed an RBI single by Kyle Karros, then recorded a game-ending strikeout of Cole Carrigg, securing his 17th save. He threw eight pitches (75% Strike Rate) and produced two whiffs. In his last 15 games, he’s converted all nine save opportunities and posted a 0.70 WHIP with 15 strikeouts versus three walks (22.6 K-BB%) through 14.1 innings.
- Lance McCullers Jr. gave up a hit, three unearned runs, and four walks while striking out one across 1.2 innings.
- Chad Patrick worked a clean seventh, striking out one.
Hierarchy Remains: Trevor Megill | Abner Uribe | Aaron Ashby
Philadelphia Phillies – Keeping his team within two runs, Jhoan Duran fired a clean top of the ninth, striking out the side on 19 pitches (12 strikes – 63.2% Strike Rate) with four whiffs (21.1 SwStr%). This extended his scoreless streak to 14 games, during which he’s posted a 0.811 WHIP with 20 strikeouts and one walk (38 K-BB%) over 13.1 innings, but his last save was on July 11.
- Jonathan Bowlan allowed a hit and struck out one in a scoreless eighth.
- José Alvarado gave up two hits, including a solo home run (Jasson Domínguez), and recorded a strikeout in the seventh.
- Kyle Backhus issued a walk that resulted in an earned run, and recorded two strikeouts, suffering his first loss during two-thirds of the sixth.
- Seth Johnson let his only inherited runner score, yielding two hits during one-third of the sixth.
Updated Hierarchy: Jhoan Duran | Orion Kerkering | Jonathan Bowlan
Washington Nationals – Shutting the door on his ninth save, Clayton Beeter retired the side against Arizona’s 4-5-6 hitters, throwing nine pitches (66.7% Strike Rate) and inducing one whiff. This snapped a three-game streak during which he allowed at least a run, but he’s converted three of four save opportunities in July.
- Eddy Yean notched his first hold, stranding a runner in the seventh and retiring all four batters on 16 pitches (11 strikes – 68.8% Strike Rate) without a whiff.
Hierarchy Remains: *Clayton Beeter | *Tom Cosgrove | *Orlando Ribalta
*= closer-by-committee
Quick Hits
- Atlanta Braves: Although he worked a scoreless bottom of the eighth, Didier Fuentes allowed two hits, including a walk-off RBI single by Dylan Beavers, resulting in his first loss. He logged 1.2 innings and recorded three strikeouts. Victor Mederos tossed two scoreless innings, yielding a hit and striking out three.
- Chicago Cubs: Finishing off a combined shutout, Javier Assad recorded his first career save, allowing one hit and striking out three while logging three innings. He threw 32 pitches (25 strikes – 78.1% Strike Rate) and produced six whiffs (18.8 SwStr%).
- San Diego Padres: Entering at the bottom of the third as the bulk follower, JP Sears earned his third win, logging 3.1 scoreless innings, yielding a hit and a walk while striking out three.
Holds Tally
Here are the 13 holds from Saturday’s slate:
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Statistical Credits: