Wednesday’s slate featured 11 wins, 11 saves, six losses, and five blown saves by relievers. Here are the saves in condensed form:
There have been 994 saves this season by 235 different pitchers. For perspective, this season has already set an MLB record for the number of pitchers with at least one save.
Here are the vulture save options:
Vulture Save Options for 8.20.2026
- Yerry De Los Santos (NYY): Bednar, Headrick, Blackburn, and Cruz have all pitched in back-to-back games.
- Julian Garcia (CIN): Pagán has pitched in two of the previous three and barely hung on for the save last night.
- Jason Foley (SF): Smith logged two innings and threw 30 pitches during his save on Wednesday.
Vulture Save Stash for 8.21.2026
- Depends on today’s usage patterns for relievers.
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Slamming the door on his MLB-leading 36th save, Bryan Baker fired a scoreless top of the ninth while protecting a one-run lead against Toronto, working around his own fielding error. He threw 18 pitches (13 strikes – 72.2% Strike Rate) and induced one whiff while recording one strikeout. Through seven appearances in August, he’s been scoreless in five and converted a save in six, posting a 0.782 WHIP with 11 strikeouts and one walk (34.5 K-BB%) across 7.2 innings.
- Tyler Wells walked one during a scoreless eighth, securing his 13th hold.
- Kevin Kelly let an inherited runner score in the sixth, allowing a hit and striking out one over his 1.1 innings for his 25th hold.
- Cam Booser was credited with his eighth hold, giving up a hit and an eventual earned run during two-thirds of the sixth.
Baker has converted his last 25 save opportunities, recording a 0.726 WHIP with 33 strikeouts and eight walks (21.2 K-BB%) over 31 appearances since May 17.
Hierarchy Remains: Bryan Baker | Kevin Kelly | Garrett Cleavinger
Today’s Takeaways
Can we trust Cruz? Capping a come-from-behind win, Steven Cruz allowed two hits, including Max Muncy’s two-run home run, while closing out an eventual two-run margin at the top of the ninth. Cruz threw 17 pitches (12 strikes – 70.6% Strike Rate) and induced one whiff. The good news is that he has converted three saves in his last six appearances, but he has allowed three earned runs across his last 6.1 innings. Craig Kimbrel collected his first win, retiring the side and striking out one at the top of the eighth ahead of his team’s seven-run rally at the bottom of the inning.
In the second half, Cruz leads the Royals in saves with five. He has made 16 appearances, posting a 0.938 WHIP with 11 strikeouts and two walks (14.5 K-BB%). His 3.38 ERA is accompanied by 3.61 SIERA and 3.26 xERA, but his 85.7 percent contact rate and 8.1 swinging-strike percentage will lead to outings like this as the season moves forward.
Hierarchy Remains: Steven Cruz | Nate Pearson | John Schreiber
The Rockies hierarchy is stabilizing: Deployed at the top of the tenth, Jimmy Herget suffered his fifth loss, giving up two hits and two runs (one earned) during two-thirds of an inning. Brennan Bernadino stranded a runner while retiring his only batter in the tenth. Jordan Romano fired a clean top of the ninth, striking out one against the Dodgers’ 9-1-2 hitters, throwing eight pitches (62.5% Strike Rate) with two whiffs. Jaden Hill made his first appearance since June 20, working a clean top of the eighth and recording two strikeouts.
Seeing the forest through the trees, Romano has been scoreless in his last four and converted his last three save opportunities. He’s not perfect, but has converted eight saves in 14 appearances since his activation with a 1.39 WHIP and 13.3 K-BB percentage across 13.2 innings. Hill returning provides another setup option. Save chances may be limited, but the path is clearer going forward.
Updated Hierarchy: Jordan Romano | Brennan Bernardino | Jaden Hill
“The Mountain” may return? With his team within one and a half games of the last Wild Card spot, Félix Bautista will begin a rehab assignment soon:
There have been no updates on Ryan Helsley other than that he’s throwing.
Here are the remaining leverage events of interest from Wednesday.
American League
Chicago White Sox – Preserving a combined shutout and securing his seventh save, Grant Taylor worked around a walk with two strikeouts at the bottom of the ninth against the Cubs. He threw 12 pitches (66.7% Strike Rate) and produced two whiffs (16.7 SwStr%). He has been scoreless in August, posting a 0.971 WHIP with 10 strikeouts and three walks (15.9 K-BB%) across 12 innings.
- José Urquidy earned his second win, allowing two hits and striking out eight over six innings.
Hierarchy Remains: *Grant Taylor | *Bryan Hudson | *Sean Newcomb
*= closer-by-committee
Detroit Tigers – Taking over with a one-run lead in Pittsburgh, Kenley Jansen suffered his fifth loss and fifth blown save, allowing two solo home runs and striking out one during two-thirds of an inning. His outing began with a strikeout, followed by Rafael Flores Jr. hitting a solo shot tying the contest, and with two outs, Brandon Lowe launched the walk-off blast. Jansen threw 17 pitches (14 strikes – 82.4% Strike Rate) and included two whiffs.
- Kyle Finnegan navigated around two walks and recorded a strikeout in a scoreless eighth, securing his 14th hold.
- Drew Sommers only faced one batter, Lowe, and struck him out for his tenth hold.
- Jacob Waguespack was credited with his third hold, retiring two and giving up a solo home run (Flores Jr.) in the seventh.
- Tyler Holton allowed a hit while striking out two in the sixth, notching his 13th hold.
Hierarchy Remains: Kenley Jansen | Drew Sommers | Kyle Finnegan
Houston Astros – Beginning his 500th career appearance with a leadoff walk, Josh Hader induced a popout and a groundout, followed by a game-ending flyout, sealing the one-run lead for his 18th save. He threw 19 pitches (11 strikes – 57.9% Strike Rate) and produced two whiffs (10.5 SwStr%). It’s his first save in a week and extended his scoreless streak to 13 games, during which he owns a 0.512 WHIP with 13 strikeouts and three walks (20.8 K-BB%) across 13.2 innings.
- Bryan Abreu fired a clean eighth, striking out two while securing his 18th hold.
- Steven Okert issued a walk and struck out two in the seventh for his 18th hold.
- A.J. Blubaugh gave up a hit and recorded two strikeouts in the sixth for his seventh hold.
- Bennett Sousa collected his first win, stranding a runner in the fourth and giving up a hit while striking out one over 1.1 scoreless innings.
Hierarchy Remains: Josh Hader | Bryan Abreu | Steven Okert
Minnesota Twins – Appearing in a third straight game, Yoendrys Gómez finished off a sweep and his third save in as many days, retiring Atlanta’s 9-1-2 pocket in order while recording one strikeout. He threw 13 pitches (8 strikes – 61.5% Strike Rate) and did not induce a whiff. He has converted all 20 save chances this season while recording a 1.314 WHIP with 52 strikeouts and 29 walks across 56.1 innings.
- Jeff Hoffman allowed Ozzie Albies’ double and struck out three in a scoreless eighth for his 16th hold.
- A.J. Minter collected his second win, walking one and retiring two batters in the seventh.
- Tommy Nance let his only inherited runner score, yielding a hit and striking out three across his scoreless combined inning, resulting in his third blown save.
- Kody Funderburk was credited with his tenth hold despite allowing three hits that put three earned runs on his ledger during one-third of the sixth.
Hierarchy Remains: Yoendrys Gómez | Andrew Morris | Jeff Hoffman
New York Yankees – Nailing down his 29th save, David Bednar retired the side and recorded a strikeout while preserving a two-run lead in Baltimore. He threw 12 pitches (75% Strike Rate) and induced one whiff. Through eight games in August, he has been scoreless in six, recording two wins while converting six of seven save chances with a 0.643 WHIP and 11 strikeouts versus four walks (20 K-BB%) across 9.1 innings.
- Paul Blackburn allowed a hit and a walk while striking out one in the eighth, securing his seventh hold.
- Brent Headrick collected his seventh win, retiring the side and striking out one in the seventh.
- Fernando Cruz suffered his fifth blown save, giving up two hits, including a game-tying solo home run (Dylan Beavers), and striking out two in two-thirds of the sixth.
Hierarchy Remains: David Bednar | Paul Blackburn | Brent Headrick
Seattle Mariners – Locking down his 23rd save, Andrés Muñoz fired a clean bottom of the ninth while preserving a two-run lead against the Brewers. He threw nine pitches (66.7% Strike Rate) and produced one whiff while recording one strikeout. In eight outings in August, he has been scoreless in six with a 2-1 record while converting four of six save chances. He’s the fourth Mariners reliever to record 100 saves with the team.
- Gabe Speier notched his 16th hold, retiring his only batter at the bottom of the eighth.
- Seranthony Domínguez gave up two hits, two earned runs, and a walk during two-thirds of the eighth.
- Jose A. Ferrer and Eduard Bazardo each turned in scoreless appearances, giving up a hit and striking out two.
Hierarchy Remains: Andrés Muñoz | Eduard Bazardo | Gabe Speier
Quick Hits
- Baltimore Orioles: Entering a tied game at the top of the eighth, Cam Sanders hit a batter and issued two walks while recording two outs, one via strikeout, before being removed. Yennier Cano inherited the bases-loaded situation and let two score on George Lombard Jr.’s RBI single, and another on a wild pitch, before inducing an inning-ending lineout, resulting in Sanders’ first loss.
- Cleveland Guardians: During a shutout loss, Cade Smith fired a clean top of the ninth and recorded two strikeouts on 12 pitches (83.3% Strike Rate) with two whiffs. He last recorded a save on August 12 and has only given up an unearned run across six appearances this month.
National League
Cincinnati Reds – Despite having his 11-game scoreless streak snapped, Emilio Pagán held on for his 16th save, closing out a one-run margin with the game-tying run reaching third base with two outs. However, he allowed two hits, including Jordan Walker’s two-run home run, and hit a batter at the top of the ninth, throwing 19 pitches (13 strikes – 68.4% Strike Rate) without a whiff.
- Luis Mey notched his third hold, walking one and striking out three in a scoreless top of the eighth.
- Brock Burke issued two walks during a scoreless seventh for his 15th hold.
- Sam Moll collected his second win, allowing a hit and a walk while striking out one in a scoreless sixth.
Updated Hierarchy: Emilio Pagán | Luis Mey | Brock Burke
Los Angeles Dodgers – Sealing a sweep over the Rockies, Tanner Scott retired the side and stranded the “courtesy runner” for his 18th save. He only needed eight pitches (87.5% Strike Rate) and induced one whiff on a game-ending strikeout. He’s converted 18 of 20 save chances this season and has been scoreless in seven of eight games in August.
- Kyle Hurt collected his fourth win, allowing an infield single and striking out two in a scoreless ninth.
- Jack Dreyer worked a scoreless eighth, walking one and striking out two.
- Alex Vesia issued a walk and served up a game-tying two-run home run by Mickey Moniak, resulting in his second blown save.
- Brock Stewart notched his fifth hold, striking out two in a clean bottom of the sixth.
Updated Hierarchy: Tanner Scott | Jack Dreyer | Edgardo Henriquez
New York Mets – It was a white-knuckle ride in the ninth with Kodai Senga against the Padres. He retired Jackson Merrill on a flyout, allowed a single by Luis Rengifo, walked Luis Campusano, and gave up Gavin Sheets’ RBI single before inducing a game-ending double-play groundout against Austin Hays, securing his fourth save. He finished with two hits, an earned run, and a walk while throwing 11 of 21 pitches for strikes (52.4% Strike Rate) with two whiffs (9.5 SwStr%). He was not crisp in this outing.
- Daniel Duarte fired a clean eighth, striking out two for his fourth hold.
- Austin Warren returned from the injured list with a clean seventh and two strikeouts, notching his first hold.
- Nate Lavender collected his first win, working a clean sixth, striking out two.
Hierarchy Remains: Kodai Senga | Daniel Duarte | Nate Lavender
Philadelphia Phillies – Preserving a three-run lead against the Marlins, Jhoan Duran navigated around Heriberto Hernández’s leadoff single with a forceout, a strikeout, and a game-ending flyout, locking down his 28th save. He threw 18 pitches (11 strikes – 61.1% Strike Rate) and produced two whiffs (11.1 SwStr%). He has converted a save in each of his last three appearances and has been scoreless in nine of 10 this month, posting a 1.10 WHIP with 10 strikeouts and two walks 20 K-BB%) across 10 innings.
- Jonathan Bowlan notched his 11th hold, allowing a hit and a walk while striking out one in a scoreless eighth.
Hierarchy Remains: Jhoan Duran | Jonathan Bowlan | Orion Kerkering
Pittsburgh Pirates – Although he allowed two hits, both by left-handed hitters, Mason Montgomery kept his team within one run, working a scoreless top of the ninth while recording two strikeouts. He collected his fifth win on a walk-off rally at the bottom of the inning. He threw 26 pitches (20 strikes – 76.9% Strike Rate) and produced three whiffs (11.5 SwStr%). This extended his scoreless streak to nine games, during which he has two wins and converted three saves while posting a 0.625 WHIP with 17 strikeouts and two walks (46.9 K-BB%) over seven innings.
- Luke Weaver fired a clean top of the eighth against Detroit’s 3-4-5 hitters while striking out one.
- Camilo Doval tossed a scoreless seventh, walking and striking out one.
- Gregory Soto logged 1.2 scoreless innings, letting one of two inherited runners score in the fifth, yielding a hit and striking out two.
Hierarchy Remains: *Mason Montgomery | *Luke Weaver | Gregory Soto
*= closer-by-committee
San Francisco Giants – Not only did Dylan Smith make his first multi-inning appearance this season, but he also recorded his first career two-inning save, preserving a combined 1-0 win in Cleveland for his third save. He allowed a one-out single in the bottom of the ninth and recorded five of six outs via strikeout, throwing 30 pitches (22 strikes – 73.3% Strike Rate) with four whiffs (13.3 SwStr%). He has been scoreless in four of his last five outings and converted both save opportunities in them.
- Adrian Houser collected his fourth win, tossing five innings while giving up four hits and two walks with three strikeouts.
Updated Hierarchy: Dylan Smith | Keaton Winn | Jason Foley
Quick Hits
- Atlanta Braves: In a tied contest, Victor Mederos suffered his first loss, giving up two hits and an earned run over his 1.1 innings. Dylan Lee let his only inherited runner score and allowed two hits, an earned run, and a walk during his two-thirds of the seventh, resulting in his team being swept in Minnesota.
- Arizona Diamondbacks: Logging two innings in Boston, Jonathan Loáisiga worked a scoreless bottom of the ninth and gave up an RBI groundout at the bottom of the tenth while earning his fourth win. He finished with a hit and an unearned run, throwing 16 pitches (75% Strike Rate) with one whiff. Kevin Ginkel stranded a runner while retiring both batters faced in the eighth.
- Washington Nationals: Closing out a combined shutout in Texas, Jake Bird fired a clean bottom of the ninth and recorded a strikeout. Max Kranick gave up a hit in the eighth. Will Dion worked a clean seventh, striking out one.
Holds Tally
Here are the holds from Wednesday’s slate:
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Statistical Credits: