Wednesday’s slate resulted in eight wins (one accompanied by a blown save), nine saves, seven losses, and four blown saves by relievers. Here are the saves in condensed form:
There have been 1,044 saves this season by 239 different pitchers. For perspective, this season has already set an MLB record for the number of pitchers with at least one save. Is 250 within reach?
Here are the vulture save options:
Vulture Save Options for 8.27.2026
- Carson Seymour (SF): After yesterday’s debacle, he should be in line for the save chance, if provided in today’s contest.
- Jack Dreyer (LAD): Scott and Phillips have worked in the two previous games, but there is no guarantee on who gets the ninth based on recent usage patterns by Dave Roberts.
Vulture Save Stashes for 8.28.2026
- Daniel Duarte (NYM): If Senga pitches today, he may not be available on Friday.
- Kevin Ginkel (ARI): If Garcia and Morillo pitch today, it will be two straight games for each reliever.
If Closer Monkey has helped your team(s) this season, please leave a tip to support future content at this LINK. You can also Venmo tips to @gjewett9.
After warming up at the top of the seventh, Juan Morillo entered in the ninth and preserved the combined shutout, retiring the Cubs’ 4-5-6 pocket in order for his second save, first since April 15. He threw eight pitches (87.5% Strike Rate) without a whiff. This extended his scoreless streak to 14 games, during which he has a win, this save, and seven holds while posting a 0.786 WHIP with 14 strikeouts versus three walks (21.2 K-BB%) over 14 innings.
- Brandyn Garcia matched up against the 9-1-2-3 batters, striking out Pete Crow-Armstrong and working around a two-out walk for a scoreless eighth, securing his 15th hold.
Morillo has been the most reliable right-handed reliever in this bullpen, so it’s not clear if this game lined up for him or if he will receive more save opportunities. Using Win Probability Added as our guide, he leads the team in this category for the second half:
Narrowing this list, here are the results for relievers of interest with important games in September on the horizon:
Torey Lovullo may continue mixing and matching based on lineup lanes in the late innings. However, as of today, his two most trusted relievers were used in Wednesday’s win over the Cubs.
Updated Hierarchy: *Juan Morillo | *Brandyn Garcia | Justin Martinez
*= closer-by-committee
Today’s Takeaways
Vitello’s cupboard may be bare: Before going through what happened in an epic meltdown against the Reds, some history was made:
After working a scoreless top of the eighth, Spencer Bivens returned for the ninth with a six-run margin. As one can surmise, things did not go well. He served up a solo home run by Héctor Rodríguez leading off the inning, followed by a single, a wild pitch, a walk, another wild pitch, and a walk to load the bases, prompting his removal. Although he finished with three hits, four earned runs, and two walks, he picked up his first hold for the season. Dylan Smith replaced him, allowing a grand slam by Eugenio Suárez, consecutive singles, a stolen base, and a game-tying sacrifice fly. He was removed after giving up another RBI-single by Tyler Stephenson, resulting in his fifth loss and a third blown save. Reiver Sanmartin recorded two outs, ending the dubious performances in a disastrous season of leverage mishaps.
If seeking saves from this bullpen, and it’s not easy, Carson Seymour should receive the next save chance.
Updated Hierarchy: *Carson Seymour | *Dylan Smith | Sam Hentges
*= closer-by-committee
Will an Angels’ reliever be Joyce’s other half? Entering with a one-run lead, Ryan Watson allowed Chase DeLauter’s one-out single, followed by Brayan Rocchio’s single, Steven Kwan’s game-tying RBI-double, and a go-ahead sacrifice fly, resulting in his first loss and a second blown save.
It’s tough running a 1A/1B bullpen when there may not be a Robin to Ben Joyce’s Batman.
Hierarchy Remains: Ben Joyce | Ryan Watson | Tayler Saucedo
Who is Gastelum? In an eventual loss, Luis Gastelum fired a clean sixth, striking out the side while facing Baltimore’s 4-5-6 batters, throwing 13 pitches (69.2% Strike Rate) with four whiffs (30.8 SwStr%).
Including this outing, he has been scoreless in seven of his last eight appearances, posting a 0.536 WHIP with 18 strikeouts and one walk (51.5 K-BB%) over his last 9.1 innings with a robust 21.7 percent swinging strike rate. His leverage role should grow in September with eyes on preparing for 2027.
Here are the remaining leverage events of interest from Wednesday.
American League
Baltimore Orioles – Navigating around traffic at the bottom of the ninth, Andrew Kittredge sealed a one-run lead in St. Louis while recording his seventh save. He allowed Iván Herrera’s leadoff single, retired Alec Burleson on a groundout, walked Jordan Walker, then retired the next two batters, throwing 25 pitches (60% Strike Rate) and inducing one whiff. This marked his first save since August 11.
- Grant Wolfram tossed a scoreless bottom of the eighth and issued a walk, then collected his fifth win after his teammates rallied for the go-ahead run at the top of the eighth.
- Rico Garcia logged 1.1 scoreless innings, walking one and striking out.
Hierarchy Remains: *Andrew Kittredge | *Rico Garcia | Yennier Cano
*= closer-by-committee
Chicago White Sox – Providing rest to his teammates, Jonathan Cannon logged the final three innings, giving up four hits, two earned runs, and two walks while striking out four, securing his first save in a win over Texas. He threw 66 pitches (66.7% Strike Rate) and produced 11 whiffs (16.7 SwStr%).
- Sean Newcomb earned his second win, working three scoreless innings while scattering two hits and striking out one.
Hierarchy Remains: *Grant Taylor | *Bryan Hudson | Sean Newcomb
*= closer-by-committee
Cleveland Guardians – Capping his team’s come-from-behind rally at the top of the ninth, Erik Sabrowski notched his first save of the season and second of his career (9/20/2024), working around Josh Lowe’s leadoff single by retiring the next three batters, one on a strikeout. He threw 23 pitches (15 strikes – 65.2% Strike Rate) and produced two whiffs. He has been scoreless in all ten outings in August.
- Hunter Gaddis collected his second win, walking and striking out one during two-thirds of the eighth.
- Tim Herrin retired all four batters faced, striking out one.
Hierarchy Remains: Cade Smith | Hunter Gaddis | Erik Sabrowski
Tampa Bay Rays – Preserving a combined shutout and filling in capably while Bryan Baker received extra rest, Tyler Wells retired the side and recorded a strikeout against Detroit’s 9-1-2 hitters, securing his fifth save of the season, first for the Rays. He threw 15 pitches (66.7% Strike Rate) without a whiff. He has been scoreless in seven of eight appearances in August, recording a 0.968 WHIP with 10 strikeouts and three walks across 10.1 innings.
- Kevin Kelly notched his 27th hold, logging two clean innings and striking out one.
Hierarchy Remains: Bryan Baker | Kevin Kelly | Garrett Cleavinger
The Athletics – In an ode to Dolly Parton, here you come again with the A’s bullpen. Protecting a three-run lead, Elvis Alvarado navigated around a one-out single by Trevor Larnach, followed by a walk, with a flyout and a game-ending strikeout, securing his fifth save. He threw 26 pitches (50% Strike Rate) and one whiff. He has been scoreless in his last eight games, posting a 0.90 WHIP with seven strikeouts and two walks, recording a save in each of his last three. He teased fantasy managers after notching saves on June 10 and 13. Can he be trusted as a reliable option in this bullpen?
- Brady Basso logged two scoreless innings while giving up one hit for his third hold.
Hierarchy Remains: *Hogan Harris | *Elvis Alvarado | Luis Medina
*= closer-by-committee
Toronto Blue Jays – Working around two hits with a game-ending strikeout, Louis Varland recorded his 30th save, preserving a combined shutout against the Royals. He threw 15 pitches (13 strikes – 86.7% Strike Rate) and produced three whiffs (20 SwStr%) across 1.1 innings, stranding two runners in the eighth. This extends his scoreless streak to seven games, during which he owns a 0.857 WHIP with eight strikeotus and one walk (25.9 K-BB%) across seven innings.
- Tyler Rogers gave up two hits and struck out one during two-thirds of the eighth for his 28th hold.
- Paul Sewald retired both batters in the seventh, securing his first hold.
- Mason Fluharty worked a clean combined inning, striking out one for his 14th hold.
- Chad Dallas was awarded his second win, logging 2.2 clean frames with four strikeouts.
Hierarchy Remains: Louis Varland | Tyler Rogers | Spencer Miles
Quick Hits
- Houston Astros: Taking over a tied game at the bottom of the seventh, Bennett Sousa gave up five hits, four earned runs, and a walk while striking out one during his one-third of an inning, resulting in his third loss.
- Minnesota Twins: Summoned at the bottom of the sixth with a runner on and one out, Andrew Morris let him score on Jeff McNeil’s RBI double, recorded a strikeout, then two more runs crossed the plate courtesy of Alika Williams’ triple, followed by Darell Hernaiz’s RBI single. After retiring a batter in the seventh, Morris finished his outing with four hits and three earned runs while striking out one, suffering his sixth loss and a fifth blown save.
- New York Yankees: As the first reliever in, Paul Blackburn let his only inherited runner score on a fielding error after allowing a double, but wriggled out of trouble for a scoreless outing with two strikeouts. He collected his sixth win as a result and was also charged with his third blown save.
National League
Atlanta Braves – With the score tied at the top of the ninth, Victor Mederos retired the Dodgers’ 5-6-7 pocket in order, striking out two while throwing 20 pitches (60% Strike Rate) with two whiffs. He collected his third win courtesy of a walk-off rally at the bottom of the frame.
- Didier Fuentes let one of three inherited runners score at the top of the seventh, walking in a run, then induced a lineout, followed by an inning-ending double-play groundout. He returned for the eighth and navigated around a leadoff single and two walks (one intentional – Freddie Freeman) with an inning-ending strikeout of Max Muncy. He worked two scoreless innings but was tagged with his sixth blown save.
- Dylan Lee gave up three hits that resulted in two earned runs and issued a walk without recording an out at the top of the seventh.
- Dylan Dodd notched his 12th hold, yielding a hit during a scoreless sixth.
Hierarchy Remains: Raisel Iglesias | Didier Fuentes | Dylan Lee
Cincinnati Reds – Sealing a one-run lead and his 17th save, Emilio Pagán wrapped up an improbable six-run rally at the top of the ninth against the Giants, allowing a one-out single and striking out two. He threw 16 pitches (11 strikes – 68.8% Strike Rate) and induced two whiffs (12.5 SwStr%). He’s recorded a win and converted all six save chances in August, posting a 0.875 WHIP with seven strikeouts and one walk over eight innings.
- Tony Santillan was awarded his second win despite giving up two hits, three earned runs, and two walks while striking out two in the eighth.
- Brock Burke worked a clean seventh, striking out one.
Hierarchy Remains: Emilio Pagán | Luis Mey | Brock Burke
San Diego Padres – Taking over at the top of the eighth, Bradgley Rodriguez allowed consecutive singles by Bryan Reynolds and Esmerlyn Valdez, then bore down, striking out the next two batters and inducing an inning-ending forceout. Returning for the ninth, he retired the 8-9-1 hitters in order, securing the combined shutout and his second save. He threw 26 pitches (20 strikes – 76.9% Strike Rate) and generated five whiffs (19.2 SwStr%).
- Yuki Matsui stranded two runners despite allowing a hit and struck out two during two-thirds of the seventh for his eighth hold.
- Griffin Canning gave up a walk, hit a batter, and struck out one during one-third of the seventh, credited with his first hold.
- Kyle Hart worked around a hit and a walk in the sixth, notching his seventh hold.
Hierarchy Remains: Mason Miller | Adrian Morejon | Bradgley Rodriguez
Quick Hits
- Los Angeles Dodgers: For a second consecutive night, Tanner Scott suffered a walk-off loss in Atlanta. He retired the first two batters, then gave up Lane Thomas’ double, intentionally walked Austin Riley, and on the eighth pitch to Ha-Seong Kim, allowed a walk-off, RBI single, resulting in his fifth loss.
- Milwaukee Brewers: Forced into an impromptu long-relief outing, Robert Gasser replaced an injured Dustin May, logging 5.1 innings while allowing six hits, an earned run, and two walks with six strikeouts, earning his fourth win.
- Philadelphia Phillies: Completing a combined shutout, Jhoan Duran allowed Randy Arozarena’s leadoff single, then recorded strikeouts against Julio Rodríguez and Cal Raleigh, followed by a game-ending lineout. He threw 18 pitches (66.7% Strike Rate) and racked up five whiffs (27.8 SwStr%). Through 12 games in August, he has been scoreless in 11, recording a 1.083 WHIP with 14 strikeouts and two walks (25 K-BB%) across 12 innings.
- St. Louis Cardinals: Tasked with a tied score at the top of the ninth, Riley O’Brien allowed Samuel Basallo’s leadoff single, advanced his pinch-runner with a wild pitch, and gave up an earned run on Christian Encarnacion-Strand’s go-ahead RBI double, handing him his sixth loss. After recording a 12-game scoreless streak, he has given up at least a run in his last two appearances, spiking his ERA by over a run, and his WHIP sits at 1.23 through 53.2 innings.
Holds Tally
Here are the holds from Wednesday’s slate:
Thanks for being a part of the Closer Monkey community. Stay safe and be well.
Statistical Credits: