Friday’s slate featured seven wins, 11 saves, five losses, and three blown saves by relievers. Here are the saves in condensed form:
There have been 899 saves this season by 221 different pitchers. For perspective, this season has already surpassed last year for the number of pitchers with at least one save and is within two more relievers recording their first save to tie the record of 223 set in 2024.
Here are the vulture save options:
Vulture Save Options for 8.8.2026
- Didier Fuentes (ATL): Iglesias threw 30 pitches during his blown save last night.
- Ryan Zeferjahn (CHC): Webb has appeared in three of the previous four days.
- Jeff Hoffman (MIN): Gómez and Morris have appeared in back-to-back games.
- Chase Silseth (TEX): Latz threw 32 pitches during a two-inning save on Friday.
Vulture Save Stashes for 8.9.2026
- Chase Silseth (TEX): Latz threw 32 pitches during a two-inning save on Friday.
- Trevor Williams (WSH): If Beeter pitches today, it will be consecutive contests.
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Benefiting from a runner being thrown out at home during the top of the ninth, Jacob Latz preserved a one-run lead while logging two scoreless innings, securing his 22nd save. He allowed two hits and a walk while striking out three, throwing 32 pitches (21 strikes – 65.6% Strike Rate) with four whiffs (12.5 SwStr%). He has made eight two-inning appearances as a reliever this season, recording two wins and six saves, and has recorded 11 saves requiring four or more outs.
- Robby Ahlstrom worked a clean eighth, notching his sixth hold.
- Tyler Alexander stranded an inherited runner in the sixth, yielding a hit and striking out one during two-thirds of the inning, collecting his third win.
Latz’s six two-inning saves are the most since Taylor Rogers recorded seven and Josh Hader notched nine in 2019. While these numbers are impressive, he has thrown 30-plus pitches in four previous appearances this season and has not pitched again in less than two days’ rest, meaning he may not be available for the remainder of this series. He’s forced into these outings because of a weak leverage ladder, which may be exposed the rest of the weekend.
Hierarchy Remains: Jacob Latz | Chase Silseth | Tyler Alexander
Today’s Takeaways
Another Devo “WHIP” outing: In a non-save appearance, another WHIP blaster by Devin Williams. He allowed Ronny Simon’s leadoff single, who moved up to second on defensive indifference, and scored on a one-out RBI single by Jacob Gonzalez, making the second out trying to stretch it into a double. With two outs, Williams walked Jake Mangum, who took second on defensive indifference, and scored on Brandon Lowe’s RBI single, before a game-ending groundout by Bryan Reynolds. All told, he allowed three hits, two earned runs, and a walk in his first game back from arm fatigue. It’s less than optimal, and his WHIP sits at 1.655 after 38.2 innings this season. Kodai Senga may receive a save chance very soon.
Updated Hierarchy: Devin Williams | Daniel Duarte | Kodai Senga
Sugar’s slider: Provided a one-run lead, Edwin Díaz issued Max Kepler a leadoff walk, a leverage no-no, struck out Tim Tawa, let the pinch runner steal second, and gave up Ryan Waldschmidt’s walk-off two-run home run on a hanging slider, resulting in his first loss and second blown save. He threw 17 pitches (11 strikes – 64.7% Strike Rate) and produced two whiffs (11.8 SwStr%). He has faced 17 hitters since his return, allowing six hits, including two home runs, and two walks while striking out four, resulting in a 2.67 WHIP over four innings. His role may not be in jeopardy at the moment:
Until Díaz regains effectiveness with his slider, it will be challenging to overcome the reduced velocity with his four-seam fastball:
For now:
Hierarchy Remains: Edwin Díaz | Tanner Scott | Alex Vesia
Raisel’s seat is getting hotter: With a one-run lead in the Bronx, Raisel Iglesias allowed George Lombard Jr.’s one-out single, and a throwing error put him on third, then gave up Austin Wells’ two-out RBI double, and walked Amed Rosario, followed by Ben Rice’s game-tying RBI single, and was removed after hitting Heliot Ramos with a pitch. Iglesias was tagged with his third blown save, giving up three hits, two earned runs, and a walk while striking out two in two-thirds of the ninth. When you look at his numbers for the season, his strong start masks his recent struggles. Breaking them down into segments, there is a progression in the wrong direction in his results:
Focusing on the second half, his expected weighted on-base average with three of his four pitches is above three hundred, accounting for the spike in traffic, affecting his WHIP:
There is no timeline for a return for Robert Suarez as a fallback plan either:
Iglesias will get more runway as the closer, but if he does not improve on his second-half results, a change at closer may be necessary. He went through a rough patch last year and finished strong; can he repeat it? Stay tuned. If not, stashing Fuentes may be beneficial.
Hierarchy Remains: Raisel Iglesias | Didier Fuentes | Dylan Lee
Here are the remaining leverage events of interest from Friday.
American League
Houston Astros – Locking down his 16th save, Josh Hader fired a clean bottom of the ninth in San Diego, retiring the 8-9-1 hitters and striking out one, closing out a three-run lead. He threw 17 pitches (8 strikes – 47.1% Strike Rate) and produced three whiffs (17.6 SwStr%). He has been scoreless in his last eight games, posting a 0.391 WHIP with eight strikeouts and two walks (23.1 K-BB%) over 7.2 innings.
- Bryan Abreu collected his fourth win, stranding two runners in the seventh and logging 1.1 scoreless innings, walking one and striking out two.
- Steven Okert stranded two runners in the sixth, but allowed two hits in the seventh before being removed. He was awarded his 16th hold across a scoreless combined inning.
- A.J. Blubaugh allowed a hit and a walk while striking out two in two-thirds of the sixth for his sixth hold.
Hierarchy Remains: Josh Hader | Bryan Abreu | Steven Okert
Los Angeles Angels – Handed a two-run lead despite allowing at least a run in his two previous outings, and in three of the last four, José Fermin held on for his first career save, allowing three hits and an earned run, with the game-tying run being thrown out at home for the last out. He threw 19 pitches (12 strikes – 63.2% Strike Rate) and induced one whiff.
- Ben Joyce notched his first hold, giving up a hit and striking out one in a scoreless eighth, throwing 16 pitches (9 strikes – 56.3% Strike Rate) with two whiffs.
- Blake Weiman made his major league debut, working around two hits for a scoreless seventh and his first hold.
- Shaun Anderson let his only inherited runner score, yielding a hit and a walk while recording one out in the sixth, but was awarded his second win.
Updated Hierarchy: *Ben Joyce | *Samy Natera Jr. | *José Fermin
*= closer-by-committee
Minnesota Twins – Closing out a two-run lead in Milwaukee, Yoendrys Gómez retired the side and struck out one for his 16th save. He threw 12 pitches (50% Strike Rate) without a whiff. He has been scoreless in 10 of his last 12 games, posting a 1.50 WHIP with 13 strikeouts and eight walks over 10.2 innings.
- Andrew Morris navigated around a hit and a walk for a scoreless eighth, notching his 18th hold.
- Jeff Hoffman wriggled out of a bases-loaded situation, hitting a batter and issuing two walks while striking out two for a scoreless seventh and his 13th hold.
- A.J. Minter stranded a runner and retired his only batter via strikeout, securing his second hold.
- Tommy Nance gave up a hit during two-thirds scoreless in the sixth, striking out one for his sixth hold.
Hierarchy Remains: Yoedrys Gómez | Andrew Morris | Jeff Hoffman
New York Yankees – Retiring Atlanta’s 8-9-1 batters at the bottom of the tenth, David Bednar earned his fifth win courtesy of a walk-off rally at the bottom of the inning. He threw 10 pitches (70% Strike Rate) without a whiff. He’s been scoreless in his last four appearances, recording this win and converting three saves.
- Yerry De los Santos retired his only batter in the ninth.
- Tim Hill allowed Matt Olson’s solo home run during his two-thirds of the ninth.
- Brent Headrick gave up two hits and struck out two during two-thirds of the eighth.
- Fernando Cruz served up Austin Riley’s go-ahead solo home run and recorded two strikeouts during his combined inning.
Hierarchy Remains: David Bednar | Paul Blackburn | Brent Headrick
Tampa Bay Rays – Despite spoiling the combined shutout by allowing Julio Rodríguez’s two-out solo home run, Bryan Baker secured his MLB-leading 33rd save with a game-ending strikeout. He threw 15 pitches (80% Strike Rate) and induced two whiffs (13.3 SwStr%) while recording three strikeouts. Baker has converted his last 22 save opportunities since May 17, but this outing snapped his 13-game scoreless streak.
- Kevin Kelly stranded two runners, retiring both batters, one via strikeout, for his 23rd hold.
- Garrett Cleavinger hit a batter and gave up a hit during one-third of the eighth, credited with his 21st hold.
Hierarchy Remains: Bryan Baker | Tyler Wells | Garrett Cleavinger
Toronto Blue Jays – It was a white-knuckle ride with Tyler Rogers at the bottom of the ninth, beginning with a three-run lead and escaping with a one-run victory while recording his fourth save. He walked his first two batters faced, then Kyle Schwarber reached via catcher’s interference. Rogers induced Trea Turner’s fielder’s choice groundout, letting a run score, followed by Bryce Harper’s RBI single and a walk to Luis Arraez, reloading the bases. However, the veteran bore down, with two groundouts, finishing with a hit, two earned runs, and three walks.
- Matt Waldron worked a clean eighth, striking out one for his first hold.
- Brendon Little struggled with his command, walking two while stranding a runner in two-thirds of the seventh for his second hold.
- Lazaro Estrada tossed 1.1 scoreless innings, walking two and striking out one while collecting his first win.
Hierarchy Remains: Louis Varland | Tyler Rogers | Braydon Fisher
Quick Hits
- Boston Red Sox: Wrapping up a lopsided win over the A’s, Raymond Burgos collected his first career save in his second career appearance, tossing three scoreless innings and striking out two. He threw 34 pitches (29 strikes – 85.3% Strike Rate) and induced three whiffs (8.8 SwStr%).
- The Athletics: Amid an eventual 12-run loss, Luis Medina worked a scoreless bottom of the fifth, yielding a hit and striking out two on 16 pitches (11 strikes – 68.8% Strike Rate) with two whiffs (12.5 SwStr%).
National League
Arizona Diamondbacks – Working the top of the ninth with his team trailing by one, Kevin Ginkel retired the Dodgers’ 6-7-8 batters in order and recorded two strikeouts. Following his team’s walk-off rally, he collected his fifth win.
- Brandyn Garcia stranded two runners in the seventh, despite giving up a hit by inducing an inning-ending double-play groundout by Shohei Ohtani. Returning for the eighth, he allowed Andy Pages’ leadoff, go-ahead solo home run, finishing with two hits and an earned run across 1.2 innings, throwing 16 pitches.
- Taylor Clarke gave up three hits and an earned run during one-third of the seventh, resulting in his second blown save.
- Juan Morillo stranded two runners in the sixth, retiring his only batter via strikeout, securing his 15th hold.
Updated Hierarchy: *Brandyn Garcia | *Jonathan Loáisiga | Juan Morillo
*= closer-by-committee
Chicago Cubs – Nailing down his seventh save, Jacob Webb preserved a two-run lead, retiring the side and striking out two against the Royals. He threw 13 pitches (9 strikes – 69.2% Strike Rate) and generated three whiffs (23.1 SwStr%). This extends his scoreless streak to 19 games, during which he has recorded three wins, five saves, and three holds while posting a 0.879 WHIP with 19 strikeouts and seven walks (16.2 K-BB%) through 19.1 innings.
- Trent Thornton stranded one of two inherited runners, walking one during two-thirds of the eighth for his third hold.
- Caleb Thielbar struggled once again, giving up three hits and two earned runs with one strikeout in one-third of the eighth. He has allowed seven earned runs in his last five outings.
Updated Hierarchy: Jacob Webb | Ryan Zeferjahn | Ryan Rolison
San Francisco Giants – Closing out a three-run lead, Dylan Smith secured his second save, working around Riley Greene’s two-out walk with a game-ending flyout. He threw 16 pitches (9 strikes – 56.3% Strike Rate) and produced two whiffs (12.5 SwStr%). It’s his first save since June 7, and he has allowed a run in two of four games in August. However, saves are saves for many fantasy players.
- Sam Hentges stranded a runner in the seventh and logged 1.1 scoreless innings, yielding two hits and a walk while striking out two.
- Keaton Winn notched his 13th hold, allowing a hit and a walk during two-thirds of the seventh.
- Adrian Houser earned his third win, tossing five scoreless innings, giving up six hits, an earned run, and a walk while striking out four as the bulk follower.
Hierarchy Remains: Dylan Smith | Keaton Winn | Sam Hentges
St. Louis Cardinals – Sealing a one-run lead and his 28th save, Riley O’Brien worked around a leadoff walk with a double-play groundout and a game-ending groundout against the Rockies. He threw 14 pitches (6 strikes – 42.9% Strike Rate) and produced three whiffs (21.4 SwStr%). He owns a modest six-game scoreless streak and has converted all three save chances in it.
- Ryne Stanek gave up a hit during two-thirds of the eighth for his 21st hold.
- Caleb Ferguson notched his fourth hold, logging 1.1 scoreless innings, yielding a hit and striking out two.
- Justin Bruihl retired the side in the sixth for his eighth hold.
Hierarchy Remains: Riley O’Brien | George Soriano | Ryne Stanek
Washington Nationals – Shutting the door on his 12th save, Clayton Beeter fired a clean top of the ninth and recorded a strikeout, preserving a two-run lead against the Reds. He threw eight pitches (75% Strike Rate) and induced one whiff (12.5 SwStr%). This snapped a streak of two games allowing at least a run and marks his first save in August.
- Orlando Ribalta tossed a clean eighth, securing his tenth hold.
- Yovanny Cruz worked a scoreless seventh, walking and striking out one for his first hold.
Updated Hierarchy: Clayton Beeter | Orlando Ribalta | Yovanny Cruz
Quick Hits
- Cincinnati Reds: As the first reliever in, Julian Garcia allowed two hits, including Harry Ford’s go-ahead two-run home run in the fourth, and recorded three strikeouts en route to his third loss. He finished with two hits and two earned runs with three strikeouts across 2.1 innings.
- Miami Marlins: Called on with no outs and one on in the fifth, Michael Petersen stranded a runner and logged 1.1 scoreless innings, walking and striking out two. Josh Eckness replaced him, stranding a runner in the sixth, but allowed a walk and a go-ahead three-run home run by Nolan Schanuel, resulting in his first loss. All three runs were unearned, but the damage had been done.
- Milwaukee Brewers: Entering at the top of the sixth, Antonio Senzatela allowed three hits and two earned runs while striking out one, resulting in his third loss. Bryse Wilson logged three scoreless frames, giving up a hit and striking out two.
- Pittsburgh Pirates: Making his team debut, Luke Weaver worked around a hit and a walk for a scoreless top of the ninth against his former teammates. He threw 11 pitches (54.5% Strike Rate) without a whiff.
Holds Tally
Here are the holds from Friday’s slate:
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Statistical Credits: