Tuesday’s slate had 12 of its 15 games decided by three runs or less, nine by two or fewer, and four one-run contests. This resulted in 11 wins, ten saves, eight losses, and six blown saves by relievers. Here are the saves in condensed form:
There have been 1,035 saves this season by 237 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 8.26.2026
- Bradgley Rodriguez (SD): Miller has pitched in consecutive games and four of the last five; Morejon has logged three innings over the previous two.
- Hunter Gaddis (CLE): Smith has worked in back-to-back games and three of the previous four.
- Luke Weaver (PIT): If taking the other side of the Padres tilt, Montgomery and Soto have pitched in consecutive contests.
- Craig Kimbrel (KC): If in need of a longshot, Cruz and Pearson have pitched in two of the previous three, and in three of the last five.
Vulture Save Stashes for 8.27.2026
- Didier Fuentes (ATL): If Iglesias pitches tonight, it’s back-to-back appearances and three in four days.
- A.J. Blubaugh (HOU): If Hader is used in tonight’s contest, it will be two straight and three in four days.
- Daniel Duarte (NYM): If Senga pitches tonight, he’s trending toward an off day on Thursday.
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Sealing a combined shutout and recording his sixth save, Mason Montgomery navigated around Ty France’s two-out walk with a game-ending strikeout of Jackson Merrill. He threw 24 pitches (66.7% Strike Rate) and produced two whiffs (8.3 SwStr%) while striking out two in this outing. This extended his scoreless streak to 12 games, during which he has two wins and four saves while posting a 0.619 WHIP with 22 strikeouts and three walks (44.2 K-BB%) across 11.1 innings.
- Gregory Soto retired the side in the eighth and collected his sixth win.
- Camilo Doval worked a scoreless seventh, walking one and striking out two.
This outcome reinforced the adjusted hierarchy in recent posts. Among 188 qualified relievers in the second half, Montgomery ranks as follows:
- First in K-BB% (45.8) and SIERA (0.86)
- Tied for first in strikeouts (31)
- Tied for 12th in contact rate allowed (67.5%)
- Tied for 17th in swinging strike percentage (15.9)
Tweaking his pitch mix has fueled his breakout since the All-Star break and may be stamping his role for 2027.
Hierarchy Remains: Mason Montgomery | Luke Weaver | Gregory Soto
Today’s Takeaways
Return of the amorphous A’s bullpen: Morphing back into a fluid bullpen, the A’s called on Elvis Alvarado with a two-run lead at the top of the ninth, and he responded with a clean outing, striking out two while securing his fourth save. He threw seven pitches (85.7% Strike Rate) and produced two whiffs (28.6 SwStr%). He has been scoreless in his last seven games and has recorded a save in his last two. Luis Medina worked a clean eighth, striking out one for his ninth hold. Hogan Harris let his only inherited runner score, giving up a hit and a walk while striking out one in two-thirds of the seventh for his 12th hold.
Updated Hierarchy: *Hogan Harris | *Elvis Alvarado | Luis Medina
*= closer-by-committee
No Kodai with a one-run lead: Entering the top of the tenth against Milwaukee’s top of the lineup, Jonathan Pintaro recorded consecutive strikeouts, walked William Contreras, then induced an inning-ending flyout by Jake Bauers. Pintaro collected his second win courtesy of his team’s walk-off rally at the bottom of the inning. Jefry Yan stranded two runners and retired two of three batters in the ninth, walking and striking out one. Austin Warren was charged with his second blown save, giving up Contreras’ leadoff double at the top of the ninth, followed by a walk, and Christian Yelich’s game-tying RBI double. Nate Lavender fired two clean frames and recorded a strikeout, notching his sixth hold.
This result is tough for Mets fans, and this note by Anthony DiComo helped explain why:
Hierarchy Remains: Kodai Senga | Daniel Duarte | Nate Lavender
Cubs get walked off: Pressed into action at the bottom of the eighth with a runner on second and two outs, Jacob Webb induced an inning-ending groundout against Max Kepler, preserving the one-run lead. However, upon his return in the ninth, he walked Tim Tawa with one out and allowed Ryan Waldschmidt’s walk-off, two-run home run, resulting in his fourth loss and sixth blown save. He threw 20 pitches (55% Strike Rate) and produced two whiffs during his combined inning. Following his 24-game scoreless streak, he has given up multiple runs in his last two appearances. Daniel Palencia took over a shutout at the bottom of the eighth but gave up two hits, three earned runs, and a walk while striking out one during two-thirds of an inning.
Hierarchy Remains: Jacob Webb | Daniel Palencia | Ryan Zeferjahn
Here are the remaining leverage events of interest from Tuesday.
American League
Boston Red Sox – Summoned at the bottom of the tenth with two runners on and two outs, Alec Gamboa induced an inning-ending groundout against Xavier Edwards, then returned for the 11th and worked around a leadoff walk by retiring the next three batters, earning his first career win after tossing 1.1 scoreless innings.
- Tyler Olds suffered his first blown save, having the courtesy runner score on a wild pitch following a strikeout, during his two-thirds of the tenth inning.
- Erik Miller fired a clean ninth, striking out the side.
- Greg Weissert worked a scoreless eighth, giving up a hit and striking out one.
- Tyron Guerrero stranded a runner in the sixth while tossing 1.2 scoreless innings, allowing two hits and a walk.
Hierarchy Remains: Aroldis Chapman | Tyron Guerrero | Erik Miller
Chicago White Sox – Forced into action with the bases loaded and two outs at the top of the ninth against Texas, Grant Taylor produced a game-ending fielder’s choice groundout, shutting the door on his eighth save while throwing two pitches. He has been scoreless in 10 of 11 games in August, recording two wins, three saves in six chances, and three holds, posting a 1.17 WHIP with 14 strikeouts and six walks over 13.2 innings.
- Hagen Smith created the save chance, allowing a hit and three walks while striking out one across 1.2 scoreless innings.
- Bryan Hudson was awarded his fourth win, stranding a runner in the sixth and retiring all four batters faced.
- Jordan Hicks had a rough outing, allowing four hits and three earned runs with two strikeouts during his combined inning.
Updated Hierarchy: *Grant Taylor | *Bryan Hudson | Sean Newcomb
*= closer-by-committee
Cleveland Guardians – Although he hit Christian Moore with a pitch leading off the bottom of the tenth, Cade Smith nailed down his 35th save, retiring the next three batters, two on strikeouts, preserving the two-run lead. He threw 15 pitches (11 strikes – 73.3% Strike Rate) and racked up four whiffs (26.7 SwStr%). Over his last eight games, he has converted all five save chances while recording a 0.782 WHIP with 11 strikeouts and two walks (29 K-BB%) across 7.2 innings.
- Erik Sabrowski earned his fifth win, striking out the side in the ninth ahead of his team’s two-run rally at the top of the tenth.
- Colin Holderman worked a clean bottom of the eighth, striking out one.
Hierarchy Remains: Cade Smith | Hunter Gaddis | Erik Sabrowski
Detroit Tigers – Sealing a three-run lead and his 493rd career save, Kenley Jansen retired the side and recorded a strikeout against the Rays. He threw 16 pitches (68.8% Strike Rate) and induced one whiff while recording his 17th of the season. It’s been a roller coaster of results for the veteran closer in August, resulting in a win, a loss, and five saves in six chances while posting a 1.049 WHIP with nine strikeouts versus two walks over 6.2 innings.
- Tyler Holton notched his 14th hold, yielding a hit during a scoreless eighth inning.
- Jacob Waguespack worked a scoreless seventh, walking and striking out one.
- Drew Sommers collected his first win, retiring all five batters, one via strikeout.
Updated Hierarchy: Kenley Jansen | Jacob Waguespack | Drew Sommers
Houston Astros – Logging his second multi-inning appearance this season, Josh Hader locked down his 19th save, stranding a runner at the bottom of the eighth and retiring all four batters, one on a strikeout, preserving a two-run lead in the Bronx. He threw 10 pitches (80% Strike Rate) and generated three whiffs. This outing extended his scoreless streak to 15 games, during which he owns a 0.447 WHIP with 16 strikeouts and three walks (23.6 K-BB%) across 16 innings.
- Bryan Abreu collected his fifth win, stranding two runners in the seventh, then giving up three hits and an earned run in the eighth.
- Steven Okert gave up two hits, an earned run, and a walk while striking out one during his two-thirds of the seventh inning.
Hierarchy Remains: Josh Hader | Bryan Abreu | Steven Okert
Kansas City Royals – Handed a four-run lead at the beginning of the bottom of the ninth, Steven Cruz retired the first two Toronto hitters, then allowed consecutive singles by Daz Cameron and Brett Bateman, followed by Nathan Lukes’ two-RBI single, who was thrown out at second, ending the game. Cruz’s final line reads three hits and two earned runs in a non-save outing, his second time in his last four he has yielded multiple runs.
- Nate Pearson gets credit for his fourth hold, navigating around a hit, a hit batter, and a walk while striking out one during a scoreless bottom of the eighth.
- Connor Thomas retired the side in the seventh for his second hold.
- John Schreiber worked a clean sixth, striking out one, and secured his 14th hold.
It’s tough trusting Cruz or Pearson as a closer based on their underlying data. Monitor their usage patterns and roles over the remaining weeks.
Hierarchy Remains: *Steven Cruz | *Nate Pearson | John Schreiber
*= closer-by-committee
Los Angeles Angels – During the top of the tenth, Blake Weiman allowed two hits, including a one-out two-RBI double by José Ramírez, resulting in his first loss.
Ben Joyce kept the game tied with a scoreless ninth, walking Patrick Bailey and recording three strikeouts. He threw 17 pitches (9 strikes – 52.9% Strike Rate) and produced three whiffs (17.6 SwStr%).
He’s been scoreless in seven of eight games this season, posting a 0.782 WHIP with 12 strikeouts and three walks (32.2 K-BB%) in 7.2 innings while converting three of four save opportunities.
- Ryan Watson gave up two hits, an earned run, and struck out one in the eighth for his first blown save.
- Tayler Saucedo logged two scoreless innings, walking one and striking out four, notching his fourth hold.
Updated Hierarchy: Ben Joyce | Ryan Watson | Tayler Saucedo
Seattle Mariners – Navigating around two walks while protecting a three-run lead against the Phillies, Andrés Muñoz notched his 24th save with a game-ending strikeout of Bryan De La Cruz. He threw 25 pitches (56% Strike Rate) and induced two whiffs while recording two strikeouts. Through ten appearances in August, he has a 2-1 record and converted five of eight save chances, posting a 1.20 WHIP with 18 strikeouts against four walks (34.1 K-BB%) across ten innings.
- Jose A. Ferrer stranded a runner while retiring his only batter, Luis Arraez, at the top of the eighth for his 13th hold.
Hierarchy Remains: Andrés Muñoz | Eduard Bazardo | Gabe Speier
Quick Hits
- Minnesota Twins: In an eventual loss, A.J. Minter stranded a runner at the bottom of the seventh and retired all four batters faced, striking out two while extending his scoreless streak to nine games, spanning 8.1 innings.
- New York Yankees: With a one-run lead at the top of the eighth, Brent Headrick took over, but allowed a game-tying solo home run by Yainer Diaz, a two-out single by Jeremy Peña, followed by an RBI triple by Yordan Alvarez, and an RBI single by Isaac Paredes, resulting in his third loss and a second blown save. Yerry De Los Santos tossed a scoreless seventh, walking and striking out one. Fernando Cruz suffered his sixth blown save, giving up a walk and a two-run home run by Peña during the top of the sixth inning.
- Tampa Bay Rays: As the bulk follower, Ian Seymour suffered his fifth loss, giving up seven hits and four runs (three earned) while striking out five across 5.2 innings.
National League
Arizona Diamondbacks – It seemed rather innocuous when Justin Martinez worked around a one-out single by Pedro Ramírez with a caught stealing and a strikeout for a scoreless top of the ninth with his team trailing by one. However, he collected his first win following a walk-off home run at the bottom of the inning. Martinez threw 17 pitches (11 strikes – 64.7% Strike Rate) and induced one whiff.
He has been scoreless through his first three appearances back from the injured list, but has not been used in a leverage situation to this point. Command remains a slight hurdle, but is to be expected; he has thrown 33 strikes of his 56 pitches (58.9% Strike Rate) with only two whiffs in his limited sample this season.
- Dennis Santana stranded three runners at the top of the seventh and retired all four batters while striking out one.
Hierarchy Remains: *Brandyn Garcia | *Kevin Ginkel | Juan Morillo
*= closer-by-committee
Atlanta Braves – Bending but not breaking at the top of the ninth, Raisel Iglesias navigated around Shohei Ohtani’s leadoff triple with a strikeout, a groundout, issued Max Muncy an intentional walk, then induced a game-ending flyout by Tommy Edman, preserving the one-run lead for his 28th save. He has converted his last four save opportunities and has been scoreless in his last three.
- Dylan Dodd stranded two runners at the top of the eighth and was awarded his fourth win despite retiring one batter.
- Victor Mederos walked two and struck out one during his two-thirds of the eighth inning.
- Dylan Lee worked a scoreless seventh while giving up a hit.
Hierarchy Remains: Raisel Iglesias | Didier Fuentes | Dylan Lee
Colorado Rockies – Finishing off a two-run lead in Washington, Jordan Romano worked around a two-out walk for a scoreless bottom of the ninth, securing his 13th save. He threw 13 pitches (53.5% Strike Rate) without producing a whiff. He has been scoreless in his last six appearances and converted his last four save opportunities.
- Brennan Bernardino gave up a hit and struck out two in a scoreless eighth, notching his 11th hold.
- Jaden Hill fired a clean seventh, striking out one for his 12th hold.
- Jimmy Herget retired the side in the sixth, securing his eighth hold.
- Mark Manfredi was awarded his first career win, yielding a hit and striking out two in a scoreless fifth inning.
Updated Hierarchy: Jordan Romano | Brennan Bernardino | Jaden Hill
Los Angeles Dodgers – Taking over a tied game at the bottom of the eighth, Tanner Scott allowed Matt Olson’s double leading off the inning, then retired the next two batters on groundouts, but gave up an RBI-single by Ozzie Albies, resulting in his fourth loss. Scott finished with two hits and an earned run, only his third earned run over his last 19 appearances.
- Evan Phillips stranded two runners and retired his only batter in the seventh.
- Jack Dreyer recorded two outs while giving up a hit and a walk with one strikeout in two-thirds of the seventh.
- Alex Vesia retired the side in the sixth.
Hierarchy Remains: Tanner Scott | Edgardo Henriquez | Jack Dreyer
Milwaukee Brewers – Making his second multi-inning appearance this season, Trevor Megill worked a scoreless ninth, allowing a hit but getting an inning-ending pickoff at first base, then recorded an out at the bottom of the tenth, intentionally wlked Carson Benge, walked Luis Robert Jr., and had the courtesy runner score on a fielder’s choice groundball, with the ball being thrown away trying to get him at home. He finished with a hit, an unearned run, and two walks while striking out one across his 1.1 innings, resulting in his third loss. He threw 19 pitches (14 strikes – 73.7% Strike Rate) and produced four whiffs (21.1 SwStr%).
- Aaron Ashby retired the side in the eighth.
- Antonio Senzatela stranded two runners in the sixth, giving up a hit and striking out one during his 1.1 scoreless innings.
Hierarchy Remains: Trevor Megill | Aaron Ashby | Chad Patrick
San Francisco Giants – In spite of spoiling a combined shutout bid, Carson Seymour recorded his first career save, allowing Sal Stewart’s solo home run and recording a strikeout at the top of the ninth against the Reds. He threw 18 pitches (66.7% Strike Rate) and induced one whiff.
This snapped his five-game scoreless streak, but he has emerged as a leverage option, notching two holds and this save across his last six games, during which he owns a 0.84 WHIP with 10 strikeouts and one walk (27.3 K-BB%) in 8.1 innings. From a stuff standpoint, he has more upside than Dylan Smith. It will be interesting to see how their roles evolve moving forward.
- Trent Harris notched his first hold, walking one and striking out two in the eighth.
- Sam Hentges gave up a hit during a scoreless seventh for his tenth hold.
- Anthony Molina earned his first win as the bulk follower, logging 4.1 scoreless innings, yielding a hit and a walk while striking out one.
Updated Hierarchy: *Dylan Smith | *Carson Seymour | Sam Hentges
*= closer-by-committee
Quick Hits
- Miami Marlins: Tasked with the top of the 11th, Cade Gibson allowed two hits, including Jarren Duran’s go-ahead grand slam, resulting in four earned runs, and his first loss of the season. Calvin Faucher let the courtesy runner score on a cross-up with his catcher, hitting the umpire’s mask with a pitch, designated as a passed ball. Otherwise, he retired all three batters faced, striking out one. Josh Eckness tossed a scoreless ninth despite issuing a walk. Michael Petersen worked a scoreless eighth, yielding a hit and a walk.
- San Diego Padres: At the top of the ninth during a scoreless contest, Mason Miller blinked first, giving up Oneil Cruz’s solo home run, the only run of the game, resulting in his second loss. This ended his six-game scoreless streak, and he has appeared in four of the last five days. He threw 14 pitches (9 strikes – 64.3% Strike Rate) and induced two whiffs (14.3 SwStr%). Adrian Morejon tossed a clean top of the eighth, striking out one against the Pirates’ 9-1-2 hitters.
Holds Tally
Here are the holds from Tuesday’s slate:
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Statistical Credits: