Friday’s slate resulted in five wins, 10 saves, four losses, and four blown saves by relievers. Here are the saves in condensed form:
There have been 1,055 saves this season by 240 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 Option for 8.29.2026
- Bryan Abreu (HOU): Hader has appeared in two straight games and three of the last four.
- Elvis Alvarado (ATH): He was not used in last night’s loss, getting an extra day of rest following consecutive appearances.
- Edgardo Henriquez (LAD): Scott and Phillips have pitched in three of the previous four days.
Doubleheader Recommendations
- Arizona Diamondbacks – Preferred Option: Juan Morillo
- Boston Red Sox – Preferred Option: Greg Weissert
- New York Yankees – Preferred Option: Tim Hill
- San Francisco Giants – Preferred Option: Carson Seymour
Vulture Save Stashes for 8.30.2026
- Didier Fuentes (ATL): If Iglesias pitches today, it’s back-to-back outings.
- Julian Garcia (CIN): If Pagán is used today, it will be consecutive appearances and three in the past four days.
- Daniel Duarte (NYM): If Senga gets deployed tonight, it’s two straight games for the transitioned reliever.
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Called on with a three-run lead against the Twins, Bryan Hudson navigated around Kaelen Culpepper’s leadoff single and Luke Keachall’s one-out single with a lineout, followed by a game-ending groundout against Ryan Jeffers, securing his sixth save. He threw 16 pitches (75% Strike Rate) and produced two whiffs (12.5 SwStr%) while striking out one.
Grant Taylor was awarded his seventh win, stranding two runners at the bottom of the sixth and yielding a hit over 2.2 scoreless innings while striking out three. He remains the “fireman” in this bullpen, deployed at the highest-leverage moments. In this appearance, he threw 27 pitches (20 strikes – 74.1% Strike Rate) and produced three whiffs (11.1 SwStr%).
- Hagen Smith allowed a hit and a walk while striking out two in his 1.1 innings.
Although Taylor’s usage patterns may frustrate fantasy managers, he is sixth in Win Probability Added among qualified relievers in the second half:
Hierarchy Remains: *Grant Taylor | *Bryan Hudson | Sean Newcomb
*= closer-by-committee
Today’s Takeaways
Suddenly a struggling Cubs’ bullpen: With his team trailing by one at the top of the ninth, Daniel Palencia took over against the Reds’ bottom third of the lineup. He recorded two strikeouts, then allowed TJ Friedl’s solo home run, and induced an inning-ending groundout by Dane Myers. Palencia has allowed at least a run in back-to-back games. He finished with 15 pitches (66.7% Strike Rate) and produced three whiffs (20 SwStr%). Aaron Civale logged 2.1 innings, giving up two hits, two unearned runs, and striking out two. Trent Thornton only recorded two outs in the sixth, allowing four hits, including two home runs, five earned runs, and a walk, resulting in his fifth loss and a second blown save.
This was a soft landing for Palencia, and it was going well until Friedl’s home run against an elevated four-seam fastball:
This gives Jacob Webb more leash in future save opportunities.
Hierarchy Remains: Jacob Webb | Daniel Palencia | Ryan Zeferjahn
Mets’ leverage machinations: Summoned with the bases loaded and one out at the top of the sixth, Nate Lavender let all three runners score, giving up Daulton Varsho’s RBI single, followed by Yainer Diaz’s two-out RBI single, resulting in his first blown save. He finished with two hits and a strikeout during his two-thirds of an inning.
Jonathan Pintaro gave up a hit and a walk while striking out one in a scoreless seventh. Dedniel Núñez retired the side and recorded two strikeouts in the eighth. Kodai Senga tossed a clean ninth, striking out two. He threw nine pitches (77.8% Strike Rate) and produced one whiff.
It remains to be seen whether Senga will work on consecutive days. He had a dip in velocity during his first experience in his second appearance on back-to-back days on August 23, averaging 95.4 miles per hour with his four-seam fastball.
Hierarchy Remains: Kodai Senga | Daniel Duarte | Nate Lavender
Managing bullpens is difficult: Pressed into action with the bases loaded and two outs, Sammy Peralta did not quell a late rally by the Phillies. He allowed Edmundo Sosa’s go-ahead grand slam, followed by back-to-back singles by Kyle Schwarber and Trea Turner before recording an inning-ending flyout by Bryce Harper, resulting in his first blown save.
Ben Joyce struggled with his command, taking over a combined shutout at the top of the ninth. With one out, he hit Alec Bohm with a pitch, then walked Justin Crawford, and after Bryson Stott just missed a home run, a wild pitch advanced both runners, followed by another walk to load the bases, which led to his removal from the contest. He threw 26 pitches (11 strikes – 42.3% Strike Rate) without a whiff while getting credited with his second hold and charged with his second loss as a result of three earned runs on his ledger. His illustrator:
Tayler Saucedo stranded a runner, retiring Harper on a lineout in the eighth for his fifth hold. Ryan Watson issued a walk and struck out two before being lifted in the eighth, securing his fourth hold. José Fermin retired the side and recorded a strikeout for his seventh hold in the sixth.
With a 3-0 lead at the top of the eighth and a runner on, using Saucedo against Harper meant he was not available for the ninth when he was potentially needed the most to secure a win. Philadelphia features three left-handed hitters in its first four lineup spots. It’s easy in hindsight to see how this unfolded, but leaving Joyce in too long when he clearly did not have it and not having Saucedo available contributed to this loss.
Hierarchy Remains: Ben Joyce | Ryan Watson | Tayler Saucedo
Here are the remaining leverage events of interest from Friday.
American League
Baltimore Orioles – Rookie Alex Hoppe recorded his first career save, sealing a one-run victory against the A’s. Taking over at the bottom of the tenth, he allowed Zack Gelof’s two-out RBI single, then retired Lawrence Butler on a game-ending groundout. He threw 14 pitches (71.4% Strike Rate) and produced three whiffs (21.4 SwStr%) while recording a strikeout.
- Andrew Kittredge collected his third win, giving up a hit and striking out two in a scoreless bottom of the ninth against the bottom four batters of the lineup.
- Yennier Cano stranded a runner and retired his only batter in the eighth.
- Rico Garcia opened the eighth with a hit batter (Henry Bolte), followed by a single, a sacrifice bunt, and a game-tying RBI single by Butler, resulting in his sixth blown save and his removal from the contest with two outs.
Hierarchy Remains: *Andrew Kittredge | *Rico Garcia | Yennier Cano
*= closer-by-committee
Houston Astros – Recording his 20th save in only his 36th appearance, Josh Hader fired a clean bottom of the ninth against the Mets and recorded two strikeouts, preserving a two-run lead. He threw 18 pitches (11 strikes – 61.1% Strike Rate) and induced two whiffs (11.1 SwStr%). This extended his scoreless streak to 17 games, during which he owns a minuscule 0.389 WHIP with 20 strikeouts and three walks (27.9 K-BB%) over 18 innings.
- Bryan Abreu stranded a runner in the seventh and retired all four batters, two on strikeouts, while securing his 11th hold.
Hierarchy Remains: Josh Hader | Bryan Abreu | Steven Okert
Kansas City Royals – Sealing a combined shutout and his sixth save, Steven Cruz navigated around Chase DeLauter’s leadoff single and Jo Adell’s one-out single with a strikeout, hit a batter to load the bases, then induced a game-ending groundout. He threw 22 pitches (16 strikes – 72.7% Strike Rate) and produced six whiffs (27.3 SwStr%) while recording two strikeouts in his outing. Through 12 appearances in August, he has been scoreless in eight, posting a 1.263 WHIP with 10 strikeouts and two walks (14.8 K-BB%), four saves, and two holds.
Hierarchy Remains: *Steven Cruz | *Nate Pearson | John Schreiber
*= closer-by-committee
New York Yankees – Locking down his 31st save, David Bednar retired the side against Boston’s 8-9-1 hitters and completed the combined shutout. He threw 12 pitches (66.7% Strike Rate) and produced two whiffs (16.7 SwStr%). This marked his fourth consecutive save during which he has allowed one baserunner while recording four strikeouts over his last four appearances.
- Paul Blackburn logged 1.2 scoreless innings while scattering two hits for his ninth hold.
- Brent Headrick stranded an inherited runner despite giving up a hit and a walk while striking out one, recording an out in the sixth and seventh innings.
Hierarchy Remains: David Bednar | Paul Blackburn | Brent Headrick
Quick Hits
- Detroit Tigers: After stranding all three inherited runners at the top of the seventh, Jacob Waguespack gave up Teoscar Hernández’s leadoff single, followed by a sacrifice bunt, a groundout, and Shohei Ohtani’s go-ahead RBI single, resulting in his second loss. He finished with two hits and an earned run across his 1.1 innings.
- The Athletics: Tasked with the top of the tenth, Brady Basso suffered his first loss, giving up two hits, both RBI singles by Coby Mayo and Christian Encarnacion-Strand, resulting in two runs (one earned), and an intentional walk while striking out two. Hogan Harris tossed a scoreless ninth, walking and striking out one. Luis Medina fired a clean eighth, striking out two.
National League
Arizona Diamondbacks – Entering at the bottom of the fifth, Gerardo Carrillo collected his third win despite issuing two walks and recording a strikeout in a scoreless appearance.
- Jonathan Loáisiga fired a clean sixth, striking out one.
- Brandyn Garcia worked a clean seventh and recorded two strikeouts.
- Dennis Santana allowed an unearned run and a walk while striking out one in the eighth.
- Juan Morillo allowed a hit and struck out two in a scoreless ninth, finishing off a four-run lead against the Giants. He has been scoreless in his last 15 appearances, recording a win, a save, and seven holds while posting a 0.80 WHIP with 16 strikeouts versus three walks (23.2 K-BB%) across 15 innings.
Updated Hierarchy: *Juan Morillo | *Brandyn Garcia | Justin Martinez
*= closer-by-committee
Atlanta Braves – After erasing Hunter Goodman’s leadoff single with a double-play groundout, Raisel Iglesias notched his 29th save on a game-ending lineout by Willi Castro, preserving a two-run lead. He threw 16 pitches (50% Strike Rate) and induced one whiff. He has been scoreless in his last four games and converted his last five save chances.
- Victor Mederos notched his first hold, yielding a hit and a walk during a scoreless top of the eighth.
- Ray Kerr allowed a hit, an earned run, and a walk while striking out one, but was credited with his first hold.
- Dylan Dodd gave up a hit and struck out one in a scoreless sixth, securing his 13th hold.
Hierarchy Remains: Raisel Iglesias | Didier Fuentes | Dylan Lee
Cincinnati Reds – Shutting the door on his 18th save, Emilio Pagán retired the side and recorded a strikeout against the Cubs’ 4-5-6 hitters, preserving a two-run lead. He threw seven pitches (85.7% Strike Rate) without a whiff. He has been scoreless in eight of nine games in August, posting a 0.778 WHIP with eight strikeouts and one walk (20 K-BB%) across nine innings, recording a win and seven saves.
- Sam Moll gave up two hits and an earned run but was credited with his seventh hold during the eighth inning.
- Tejay Antone allowed three hits, culminating in Pedro Ramírez’s three-run home run, resulting in his removal without retiring a batter at the bottom of the eighth.
- Brock Burke stranded two runners, walking and striking out one during one-third of the seventh.
- Luis Mey worked a scoreless sixth, then gave up two hits, an earned run, and a walk in the seventh, prompting his removal after 1.2 innings of relief.
Updated Hierarchy: Emilio Pagán | Brock Burke | Luis Mey
Los Angeles Dodgers – Securing his 20th save and protecting a one-run lead, Tanner Scott fired a clean bottom of the ninth in Detroit while facing the 4-5-6 hitters. He threw 13 pitches (8 strikes – 61.5% Strike Rate) and produced two whiffs (15.4 SwStr%), recording two strikeouts in his outing. This marks the third consecutive season he has notched at least 20 saves and the fourth time in the last five.
- Alex Vesia stranded two runners, retiring Alex McGonigle at the bottom of the eighth for his 18th hold.
- Brock Stewart allowed a hit and two walks, but escaped with his seventh hold during two-thirds scoreless in the eighth inning.
- Evan Phillips earned his second win, striking out the side at the bottom of the seventh, ahead of his team’s go-ahead rally at the top of the eighth.
Hierarchy Remains: Tanner Scott | Edgardo Henriquez | Jack Dreyer
Philadelphia Phillies – Handed a two-run lead following another improbable come-from-behind rally, Jonathan Bowlan navigated around hitting Vaughn Grissom with a pitch leading off the bottom of the ninth with a fielder’s choice forceout and Christian Moore reaching on an error with consecutive, game-ending strikeouts for his second save. He threw 25 pitches (64% Strike Rate) and induced four whiffs (16 SwStr%).
Jhoan Duran was unavailable with a stomach bug. The irony is not lost on those with the “Durantula” on their roster; he has only recorded four saves in five chances over 16 appearances in the second half.
- Alex McFarlane collected his fourth win in his last five appearances since August 18, working a scoreless bottom of the eighth, walking and striking out one ahead of his team’s rally.
- José Alvarado gave up a hit during a scoreless seventh.
Hierarchy Remains: Jhoan Duran | Jonathan Bowlan | Orion Kerkering
St. Louis Cardinals – Filling in capably with a clean top of the ninth and two strikeouts, Ryne Stanek notched his second save of the season, first since Opening Day. He threw 12 pitches (7 strikes – 58.3% Strike Rate) and produced three whiffs (25 SwStr%). With three of his teammates unavailable because of workload management, the veteran reliever preserved the three-run lead over Pittsburgh.
- Caleb Ferguson stranded a runner despite giving up a hit during his one-third of the eighth for his fifth hold.
- Ryan Fernandez stranded a runner in the sixth and walked one while striking out two across two scoreless innings, securing his second hold.
Hierarchy Remains: Riley O’Brien | Ryne Stanek | George Soriano
Quick Hits
- Colorado Rockies: In an eventual loss, Brennan Bernardino retired the side and struck out one at the bottom of the eighth against Atlanta’s top of the lineup.
- Milwaukee Brewers: Capping a five-run lead over Texas, DL Hall fired a clean top of the ninth, striking out the side on 13 pitches (9 strikes – 69.2% Strike Rate) with three whiffs (23.1 SwStr%). He has been scoreless in his last five appearances, racking up 12 strikeouts across 7.1 innings. Aaron Ashby notched his 13th hold, allowing a hit and a walk while striking out two in a scoreless top of the eighth.
Holds Tally
Here are the holds from Friday’s slate:
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Statistical Credits: