Saturday’s 17-game slate resulted in nine wins, six saves, 11 losses, and five blown saves by relievers. Here are the saves in condensed form:
There have been 1,061 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 8.30.2026
- Orion Kerkering (PHI): Duran threw two innings last night, and Bowlan has pitched in two straight games.
- Calvin Faucher (MIA): He has not pitched since August 25 after working four times in a span of five days.
- Daniel Duarte (NYM): Senga has worked in back-to-back contests.
Vulture Save Stashes for 8.31.2026
- Abner Uribe (MIL): If Megill pitches today, it’s back-to-back games. He will be activated on Monday.
- Tyler Wells (TB): If Baker works today, it’s consecutive appearances for the closer.
- Bryan Abreu (HOU): If Hader pitches today, it will be three games in four days.
- Ryan Watson (LAA): If Joyce is used today, he will be unavailable on Monday.
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Locking down his 25th save, Trevor Megill retired the side against the 8-9-1 hitters, including two pinch-hitters, preserving a two-run lead. He only needed seven pitches (85.7% Strike Rate) without a whiff. He has been scoreless in 10 of 11 games in August, recording a 0.417 WHIP with seven strikeouts and three walks across 12 innings, suffering a loss and converting all eight save chances.
- Antonio Senzatela allowed a hit during two-thirds of an inning at the top of the eighth, securing his ninth hold.
- Chad Patrick gave up a walk and a two-run home run in the eighth, prompting his removal. However, he notched his tenth hold, logging 2.1 innings with only one hit, two earned runs, and a walk while striking out one.
Megill has already surpassed his season high for innings and, in recent appearances, has traded strikeouts for efficiency, preferring contact to whiffs:
It is nothing fantasy managers should panic over, but it’s worth noting. He has recorded one or fewer strikeouts in 10 of his 11 games in August, with no strikeouts in five, including yesterday.
With eyes on the postseason, his workload may be managed closely, which opens the door for more save chances for his teammates, including Abner Uribe, who will be activated on Monday:
With health and a managed workload himself, he may be a better option than half-closers from teams like San Francisco, the Angels, Miami, and Washington, to name a few.
Hierarchy Remains: Trevor Megill | Aaron Ashby | Chad Patrick
Today’s Takeaways
The Dodgers suffer a walk-off loss: With the score tied at the bottom of the ninth, Jack Dreyer allowed a leadoff double by Javier Báez, followed by a sacrifice bunt, an intentional walk, another walk, and a game-ending walk-off RBI single by Kevin McGonigle, handing him his second loss. He threw 16 pitches (62.5% Strike Rate) and only induced one whiff during his one-third of an inning.
Edgardo Henriquez worked a scoreless bottom of the eighth, striking out one and hitting a batter while facing the Tigers’ 4-5-6-7 batters, throwing 19 pitches (12 strikes – 63.2% Strike Rate) with three whiffs (15.8 SwStr%). Alex Vesia gave up a hit and tossed a scoreless seventh. Seth Halvorsen retired the side in the sixth.
Hierarchy Remains: Tanner Scott | Edgardo Henriquez | Jack Dreyer
Miami suffered a walk-off loss: Taking over a tied game at the bottom of the tenth, Michael Petersen retired his first two batters faced, then issued consecutive walks, followed by a walk-off RBI single by Dylan Crews, resulting in his fourth loss. He threw 19 pitches (11 strikes – 57.9% Strike Rate) and produced five whiffs (26.3 SwStr%). This snapped his three-game scoreless streak, and his WHIP sits at 1.549 through 10.1 innings in August. Josh Eckness logged 1.2 clean innings and struck out two. Jack Ralston retired all four batters faced, one via strikeout.
Updated Hierarchy: *Calvin Faucher | *Michael Petersen | *Josh Eckness
*= closer-by-committee
Patience with J-Mart: In an eventual loss in Game 2 in San Francisco, Justin Martinez took over in the eighth, recording a strikeout, then a batter reached on his own throwing error, followed by another strikeout, a stolen base, and then a walk, prompting his removal after 25 pitches (12 strikes – 48% Strike Rate) with two whiffs (8 SwStr%). He finished with two unearned runs on his ledger after Dennis Santana let both inherited runners score, giving up consecutive RBI singles upon entry before recording the last out of the inning.
He has only worked in a game with a lead once, an eventual 9-0 win over the Reds. In his only win, his team trailed at the top of the ninth and won via walk-off against the Cubs. Through four games, he has allowed a hit, two unearned runs, and three walks while recording four strikeouts. The bigger concern lies in his 55.6 percent strike rate and only four whiffs among his 81 pitches (4.9 SwStr%). Easing him into leverage situations while having his workload managed makes save chances in the short term challenging. He could work his way into them by the middle of September, but his ascension into the closer role may be on hold until 2027. This will be monitored closely.
Updated Hierarchy: *Juan Morillo | *Brandyn Garcia | Kevin Ginkel
*= closer-by-committee
Here are the remaining leverage events of interest from Saturday.
American League
Baltimore Orioles – Preserving a two-run lead, Andrew Kittredge navigated around Jeff McNeil’s one-out single and Lawrence Butler’s two-out hit, followed by a double steal putting both runners into scoring position, with a game-ending groundout, securing his eighth save. He threw 11 pitches (63.6% Strike Rate) and induced two whiffs (18.2 SwStr%).
- Cam Sanders allowed a hit, an earned run, two walks, and struck out one in the eighth, credited with his first hold.
- Yennier Cano stranded the bases loaded with back-to-back strikeouts in the seventh, securing his 12th hold.
- Rico Garcia created the chaos, giving up two hits and a walk in his one-third of the seventh, but earned his 16th hold.
- Alex Hoppe also stranded three inherited runners, retiring his only batter faced in the sixth for his fourth hold.
Updated Hierarchy: Andrew Kittredge | Yennier Cano | Rico Garcia
Chicago White Sox – Preserving a one-run lead in Minnesota, Bryan Hudson retired the side against the 5-6-7 batters, throwing nine pitches (88.9% Strike Rate) with two whiffs (22.2 SwStr%), securing his seventh save. He has been scoreless in his last four appearances and notched a save in his last two.
- Sean Newcomb tossed three scoreless frames, scattering two hits and striking out three for his 11th hold. He owns a six-game scoreless streak, during which he has been the opener three times, posting a 0.732 WHIP with 11 strikeouts and four walks over 13.2 innings.
Hierarchy Remains: *Grant Taylor | *Bryan Hudson | Sean Newcomb
*= closer-by-committee
Detroit Tigers – An efficient four-pitch outing for Kenley Jansen resulted in him stranding an inherited runner while keeping the game tied at the top of the ninth, inducing an inning-ending flyout against Teoscar Hernández. He collected his fourth win courtesy of a walk-off rally at the bottom of the inning. Jansen has only appeared in eight games in August, but has a 2-1 record with five saves in six opportunities, posting a 1.00 WHIP with nine strikeouts and two walks (25 K-BB%) across seven innings.
- Andrew Sears worked 2.2 scoreless innings, yielding two hits and striking out one.
- Tyler Holton stranded two runners in the sixth despite issuing a walk.
Hierarchy Remains: Kenley Jansen | Jacob Waguespack | Drew Sommers
Tampa Bay Rays – Nailing down his MLB-leading 39th save, Bryan Baker protected a one-run lead despite issuing Manny Machado a one-out walk with a strikeout, followed by a game-ending groundout versus Jackson Merrill. He threw 16 pitches (62.5% Strike Rate) and produced one whiff. In 11 games in August, he has converted nine saves and recorded two losses while posting a 0.937 WHIP with 14 strikeouts and two walks (27.3 K-BB%) over 10.2 innings.
- Kevin Kelly collected his sixth win, despite letting all three inherited runners score at the top of the seventh. He allowed a hit and two walks while striking out two across 1.2 scoreless innings.
- Garrett Cleavinger gave up two hits, which resulted in three earned runs, and a walk while striking out one during his one-third of the seventh.
Hierarchy Remains: Bryan Baker | Kevin Kelly | Garrett Cleavinger
Toronto Blue Jays – Shutting the door on his 31st save and sealing a one-run margin, Louis Varland retired Seattle’s 6-7-8 hitters in order while recording one strikeout. He threw 12 pitches (66.7% Strike Rate) and induced one whiff. He has been scoreless in his last eight games, posting a 0.75 WHIP with nine strikeouts and one walk (26.7 K-BB%) over his last eight innings, converting all seven save chances.
- Mason Fluharty stranded a runner despite giving up a hit and recorded a strikeout during his one-third of the eighth inning for his 15th hold.
- Tyler Rogers issued a walk and struck out two during two-thirds of the eighth, securing his 29th hold.
Updated Hierarchy: Louis Varland | Tyler Rogers | Mason Fluharty
Quick Hits
- Boston Red Sox: In Game 2 as the bulk follower, Brayan Bello suffered his seventh loss, giving up five hits, four earned runs, and a walk while striking out two over 4.1 innings.
- Cleveland Guardians: A rough outing for Colin Holderman resulted in his fourth loss. He only recorded one out at the top of the sixth, allowing four hits and four runs (three earned). Erik Sabrowski let two of three inherited runners score, giving up a hit and a walk during his one-third of the sixth.
- Houston Astros: Working as the bulk follower, Cristian Javier logged 4.1 innings, giving up six hits and three earned runs while striking out four, resulting in his fifth loss.
- Kansas City Royals: After stranding a runner at the bottom of the fourth and retiring all five batters, Anthony Gose was awarded his first win.
- Los Angeles Angels: Logging three innings, Trevor Martin suffered his first loss, allowing three runs (two earned) at the top of the tenth, finishing with four hits and two walks while striking out one. He threw 49 pitches (31 strikes – 63.3% Strike Rate) and produced four whiffs.
- Minnesota Twins: Appearing in an eventual loss, Yoendrys Gómez issued two walks and recorded two strikeouts in a scoreless top of the ninth. He threw 25 pitches (44% Strike Rate) and produced three whiffs (12 SwStr%). Through 10 games in August, he owns a 2.04 WHIP with seven walks and nine strikeouts, suffering two losses and has converted six saves over 8.1 innings.
- New York Yankees: During Game 2, Paul Blackburn was awarded his seventh win, stranding two runners while retiring all three batters, two via strikeouts, in the sixth inning.
- Seattle Mariners: As the first reliever in, Eduard Bazardo let both inherited runners score, issuing two walks, including one with the bases loaded on a wild pitch, scoring both during his two-thirds of the fifth. Jose A. Ferrer gave up two hits, two earned runs, and two walks during two-thirds of the sixth, resulting in his third loss and a fourth blown save. Carlos Vargas stranded two runners in the sixth and retired all seven batters faced, two via strikeout.
- The Athletics: In a non-save appearance, Elvis Alvarado had Colton Cowser reach on an error at the top of the ninth and reach third on a second error during the play, then scored an unearned run on a wild pitch. He finished with a walk and a strikeout, throwing 20 pitches (60% Strike Rate) with three whiffs.
National League
Atlanta Braves – Filling in capably for Raisel Iglesias, Didier Fuentes issued a leadoff walk, a leverage no-no, and allowed a one-out single by Troy Johnston, but bore down with a strikeout, followed by a game-ending lineout by Jake McCarthy, capping his team’s late rally and securing his third save. He threw 21 pitches (71.4% Strike Rate) and recorded four whiffs (19 SwStr%) while striking out two. Through 12 games in August, he has a win, two saves, and four holds while suffering three blown saves, posting a 0.978 WHIP with 22 strikeouts versus four walks (30.5 K-BB%) across 15.1 innings.
- Brent Suter earned his second win, scattering two hits and striking out one during 2.1 scoreless frames.
Hierarchy Remains: Raisel Iglesias | Didier Fuentes | Dylan Lee
Colorado Rockies – Pressed into action at the bottom of the seventh, Jaden Hill walked Austin Riley then recorded an inning-ending strikeout of Lane Thomas, stranding a runner. Returning for the eighth, he retired his first two batters faced, then allowed singles by Matt Olson and Mauricio Dubón, followed by a two-RBI double by Michael Harris II, and issued a walk, forcing his removal. He was charged with his third loss and a fourth blown save, giving up three hits, two earned runs, and two walks during his combined inning.
- Jordan Romano recorded the last out of the eighth.
- Jimmy Herget gets credited with his ninth hold, working 1.2 scoreless innings, yielding a hit and striking out one.
Hierarchy Remains: Jordan Romano | Brennan Bernardino | Jaden Hill
New York Mets – Appearing in back-to-back games for the second time in his career, Kodai Senga navigated around Jose Altuve’s leadoff double with three consecutive flyouts, one against the fence, closing out a four-run lead over the Astros. He threw 11 pitches (63.6% Strike Rate) and did not produce a whiff. Through 10 outings in August, he owns a 1.072 WHIP with 11 strikeouts and four walks (18.4 K-BB%) across 9.1 innings with a loss and four saves.
- Daniel Duarte served up a solo shot by Yordan Alvarez and recorded two strikeouts for his fifth hold.
Hierarchy Remains: Kodai Senga | Daniel Duarte | Nate Lavender
Philadelphia Phillies – During a tied game at the bottom of the ninth, Jhoan Duran hit Vaughn Grissom with a pitch leading off the inning, retired the next two batters, intentionally walked Adam Frazier, then induced an inning-ending groundout. Returning for the tenth with a three-run lead, he allowed a leadoff single, an unearned run on a fielder’s choice grounder, then retired the next two batters, preserving his second win. He finished with a hit, an unearned run, a hit batter, and a walk while throwing 24 pitches (15 strikes – 62.5% Strike Rate) with one whiff across his two innings. Through 13 games in August, he has this win and four saves while posting a 1.071 WHIP with 14 strikeouts and three walks (19.3 K-BB%) in 14 innings.
- Jonathan Bowlan suffered his fourth blown save, giving up Zach Neto’s game-tying solo home run in the eighth.
Hierarchy Remains: Jhoan Duran | Jonathan Bowlan | Orion Kerkering
Pittsburgh Pirates – Mowing down the Cardinals’ bottom third of the lineup, Mason Montgomery sealed his team’s four-run lead with a clean bottom of the ninth while striking out two. He threw 14 pitches (9 strikes – 64.3% Strike Rate) and produced three whiffs (21.4 SwStr%). This extended his scoreless streak to 13 games, during which he has recorded two wins and four saves while posting a 0.568 WHIP with 24 strikeouts versus three walks (45.7 K-BB%) across 12.1 innings.
- Luke Weaver notched his 16th hold, retiring the side and striking out one in the eighth.
- Gregory Soto allowed a hit during a scoreless seventh for his tenth hold.
- Carmen Mlodzinski collected his seventh win, stranding all three inherited runners at the bottom of the third and logging 3.1 innings, yielding a hit and an unearned run with two strikeouts.
Hierarchy Remains: Mason Montgomery | Luke Weaver | Gregory Soto
San Francisco Giants – (Game 1) – Ryan Walker let both inherited runners score, and two earned runs on his ledger, issuing a walk and serving up a pinch-hit grand slam by Lars Nootbar at the top of the seventh.
(Game 2) – Reiver Sanmartin was awarded his second win for striking out his only batter faced at the top of the fifth.
- Trent Harris gave up a hit in the sixth, securing his third hold.
- Jason Foley allowed three hits and an earned run while striking out one in two-thirds of an inning in the seventh, and was credited with his first hold.
- Carson Seymour stranded two runners and logged 1.1 scoreless innings, walking one and striking out two for his fifth hold.
- Dylan Smith closed out a five-run lead with a clean top of the ninth, striking out two.
Updated Hierarchy: *Dylan Smith | *Carson Seymour | Ryan Walker
*= closer-by-committee
Washington Nationals – Tasked with the top of the tenth, Orlando Ribalta allowed a two-out single by Otto Lopez and recorded two strikeouts, stranding the courtesy runner. He collected his first win on a walk-off with two outs at the bottom of the inning. He threw 18 pitches (13 strikes – 72.2% Strike Rate) and produced four whiffs (22.2 SwStr%).
- Brad Lord let his only inherited runner score at the top of the seventh, serving up Heriberto Hernández’s two-run home run, but it was the only earned run he gave up across 2.1 innings, finishing with a walk and four strikeouts. Lord was charged with his second blown save, and the team’s 34th of the season, three from matching a franchise record set in 2021.
- Tom Cosgrove worked two-thirds of the seventh, giving up two hits, three earned runs, and a walk while striking out one.
Hierarchy Remains: *Orlando Ribalta | *Clayton Beeter | Tom Cosgrove
*= closer-by-committee
Quick Hits
- Arizona Diamondbacks: (Game 1) – Brandyn Garcia closed out a six-run lead with a clean bottom of the ninth and recorded one strikeout. He threw nine pitches (77.8% Strike Rate) and induced one whiff. He has been scoreless in his last five outings, but has not secured a save since August 14.
- San Diego Padres: Having his nine-game scoreless streak snapped, Bradgley Rodriguez allowed three hits, four runs (one earned), and a walk without retiring a batter at the bottom of the seventh against the Rays, resulting in his third loss and a fifth blown save. Adrian Morejon let his only inherited runner score, giving up a hit and a walk while striking out two after taking over in the seventh.
- St. Louis Cardinals: As the bulk follower, Brycen Mautz suffered his first loss, giving up five hits, four earned runs, and a walk while striking out eight over three innings versus the Pirates.
Holds Tally
Here are the holds from Saturday’s slate:
Thanks for being a part of the Closer Monkey community. Stay safe and be well.
Statistical Credits: