Sunday’s 14-game slate resulted in four wins, six saves, four losses, and five blown saves by relievers. Here are the saves in condensed form:
There have been 1,067 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 upcoming vulture save options:
Vulture Save Option for 8.31.2026
- Calvin Faucher (MIA): There are no guarantees in a fluid bullpen, but Petersen has pitched the two previous games.
- Kevin Kelly (TB): Baker has worked in three straight games this month and has appeared in the previous two, so there are no assurances he is not available tonight.
Vulture Save Stashes for 9.1.2026
- Didier Fuentes (ATL): If Iglesias pitches today, it will be consecutive appearances and three in four days.
- Bradgley Rodriguez (SD): If Miller pitches today, it’s back-to-back games.
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Shutting the door on his seventh save, Mason Montgomery preserved a one-run lead by retiring the Cardinals’ top of the lineup in order. He threw 11 pitches (63.6% Strike Rate) and produced one whiff. Continuing his strong second half, he has been scoreless in 18 of 19 appearances, recording three wins and six saves while posting a 0.589 WHIP with 34 strikeouts versus five walks (42 K-BB%) across 18.2 innings.
- Luke Weaver gave up a hit and struck out one in a scoreless eighth, notching his 17th hold.
- Yohan Ramírez stranded two runners, retiring his only batter in the seventh, securing his seventh hold.
- Camilo Doval allowed two hits, two earned runs, and two walks while striking out one during two-thirds of the seventh inning, and was credited with his sixth hold.
- Kirby Yates worked a clean sixth, striking out one for his first hold.
The biggest takeaway in the second half has been Montgomery taking over as the closer, despite his manager insisting on a matchup-based approach following the trade deadline. This changes his outlook and valuation for 2027. When viewing his rankings after the All-Star break among his peers, note that he opened Game 2 of a doubleheader on July 18, which does not count toward these results. His rankings among qualified relievers in the second half, through games played on August 30:
- Tied for first in strikeouts (33)
- First in K-BB% (44.6)
- First in SIERA (0.90)
- Second in contact rate allowed (61.2%)
- Third in WHIP (0.57)
- Tied for 14th in swinging strike rate (15.9%)
Hierarchy Remains: Mason Montgomery | Luke Weaver | Gregory Soto
Today’s Takeaways
Ratios, Raisel, and velocity: When viewing a player’s results for the season, it can skew the results. There has been a backslide for Raisel Iglesias since the end of May. This coincides with a decrease in fastball velocity:
Here are his splits as a comparison, noting the rise in his WHIP while his K-BB percentage has decreased:
Taking this one step further, his results by velocity, noting he is averaging below 94 miles per hour in August:
In the second half, his percentage of four-seam fastballs below 94 miles per hour is 54.1 percent and in August, it’s at 60.3 percent. As for his sinker, 53 percent are below 94 MPH in the second half and 56.1 percent in August.
Triple-A rehab outing number two for “The Mountain:” Not only did Félix Bautista turn in a scoreless appearance during the sixth inning, but he was awarded his first win. He allowed a hit and recorded a strikeout, throwing 17 pitches (58.8% Strike Rate) and producing four whiffs (23.5 SwStr%):
There are no guarantees on his role if he pitches in the majors this season, and fantasy managers will monitor his velocities:
It’s never too early to think about 2027, though with Ryan Helsley still on the injured list and having a player option for $14 million that will not be matched on the open market, he will be an Oriole next year too.
Here are the remaining leverage events of interest from Sunday.
American League
Baltimore Orioles – Called on with a three-run lead over the A’s, Yennier Cano responded with a clean bottom of the ninth, throwing 10 pitches (60% Strike Rate) with one whiff. It’s his first save since August 4, and he has been scoreless in his last five appearances, though he has only faced nine batters in them.
- Josh Walker gave up a hit and struck out one in a scoreless eighth inning, securing his third hold.
- Anthony Nunez stranded a runner in the sixth and retired all four batters, two on strikeouts, en route to his seventh hold.
Hierarchy Remains: Andrew Kittredge | Yennier Cano | Rico Garcia
Cleveland Guardians – Appearing with a 10-run lead, Cade Smith worked a scoreless top of the ninth, walking one and striking out two. He threw 20 pitches (55% Strike Rate) and produced three whiffs. Through 11 games in August, he has posted a 1.091 WHIP with 16 strikeouts and seven walks (18.4 K-BB%) across 12 innings while converting five of six save opportunities.
- Hunter Gaddis fired a clean eighth, striking out one.
- Tim Herrin allowed two hits and struck out one in a scoreless seventh.
Hierarchy Remains: Cade Smith | Hunter Gaddis | Erik Sabrowski
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
Tampa Bay Rays – Although Tyler Wells let the courtesy runner score on a sacrifice fly after throwing a wild pitch at the top of the 11th, he recorded strikeouts against the next two batters and collected his third win on a walk-off rally at the bottom of the inning. He threw 12 pitches (66.7% Strike Rate) and racked up five whiffs (41.7 SwStr%).
- Bryan Baker worked a clean top of the tenth, striking out one on seven pitches (71.4% Strike Rate) without a whiff, facing the Padres’ second and third hitters; the courtesy runner was caught stealing at third.
- Manuel Rodríguez navigated around two walks with two strikeouts for a scoreless ninth.
Hierarchy Remains: Bryan Baker | Kevin Kelly | Garrett Cleavinger
Texas Rangers – Locking down his 27th save, Jacob Latz retired the side and recorded a strikeout against Milwaukee’s 3-4-5 pocket. He threw 12 pitches (7 strikes – 58.3% Strike Rate) and induced one whiff. He’s been scoreless in his last seven outings, securing a save in six, recording a 1.00 WHIP with 14 strikeouts and six walks (26.5 K-BB%) over nine innings.
- Jakob Junis allowed a hit during a scoreless eighth, securing his 17th hold.
- Jordan Montgomery gave up a walk and a two-run home run (Gary Sánchez) in the seventh.
- Adam Macko notched his fifth hold, yielding a hit and striking out one in the sixth.
- Tyler Alexander collected his fifth win, tossing two scoreless innings, walking and striking out one.
Hierarchy Remains: Jacob Latz | Jakob Junis | Chase Silseth
Quick Hits
- Chicago White Sox: Logging five innings, José Urquidy gave up three hits, including a solo home run by Luke Keaschall, and recorded a strikeout in an eventual loss.
- Detroit Tigers: In an eventual loss, Jacob Waguespack retired the side while striking out one at the top of the ninth against the Dodgers. Kyle Finnegan stranded two runners and recorded two strikeouts during his two-thirds of the eighth.
- Minnesota Twins: Spoiling a combined shutout, Jeff Hoffman let one of two inherited runners score on Braden Montgomery’s RBI single but retired his other two batters faced, throwing 13 pitches (9 strikes – 69.2% Strike Rate) with two whiffs (15.4 SwStr%).
- Seattle Mariners: During a shutout loss, Gabe Speier allowed a solo home run (Kazuma Okamoto) and struck out one at the bottom of the sixth. Seranthony Domínguez tossed a scoreless seventh despite issuing a walk.
National League
Atlanta Braves – Continuing his charmed season, Victor Mederos collected his fourth win on a walk-off rally at the bottom of the tenth. He retired the Rockies’ bottom third of the lineup in order while striking out one, throwing nine pitches (66.7% Strike Rate) with one whiff. Through 21 appearances this season, he has a save along with the four wins, including three in his last 11 games in August.
- Raisel Iglesias worked a clean top of the ninth, preserving the tie. He threw 12 pitches (75% Strike Rate) and induced one whiff.
- Dylan Lee allowed two hits, including an RBI single by Connor Norby, resulting in his second blown save. He has allowed at least a run in consecutive appearances and in four of his last six.
- Dylan Dodd stranded a runner and retired his only batter via strikeout, securing his 14th hold.
Hierarchy Remains: Raisel Iglesias | Didier Fuentes | Dylan Lee
Cincinnati Reds – After recording two quick outs, Emilio Pagán allowed Pete Crow-Armstrong’s solo shot, then induced a game-ending flyout by Seiya Suzuki, securing his 19th save. He threw 12 pitches (50% Strike Rate) and did not produce a whiff. Through 10 appearances in August, he has been scoreless in eight, recording a win while converting all eight save chances with a 0.80 WHIP and eight strikeouts against one walk (18 K-BB%) in ten innings.
- Luis Mey gave up a hit and an earned run in the eighth.
- Brock Burke stranded two runners in the sixth and logged 1.1 scoreless innings, yielding a hit and striking out two for his 16th hold.
Hierarchy Remains: Emilio Pagán | Brock Burke | Luis Mey
Philadelphia Phillies – Forced into action at the bottom of the eighth, Orion Kerkering stranded two runners, inducing an inning-ending fielder’s choice groundout by Jose Siri. Returning for the ninth, he allowed Oswald Perez’s leadoff single, recorded two outs, but when a runner advanced via defensive indifference, an earned run scored on Mike Trout’s RBI double, before a game-ending strikeout. Kerkering recorded his second save, finishing with two hits, an earned run, and a strikeout over his 1.1 innings. He threw 19 pitches (11 strikes – 57.9% Strike Rate) and produced one whiff.
- José Alvarado gave up two hits and recorded a strikeout in two-thirds of the eighth, and was credited with his 12th hold.
- Alex McFarlane tossed a scoreless seventh, walking and striking out one for his first hold.
Hierarchy Remains: Jhoan Duran | Jonathan Bowlan | Orion Kerkering
San Diego Padres – Presented a one-run lead at the bottom of the 11th, David Morgan struck out Junior Caminero, allowed a single by Liam Hicks, intentionally walked Chandler Simpson to load the bases, followed by an infield chopper scoring a run, and a walk-off hit by Jorge Mateo, resulting in his first loss and first blown save.
- Yuki Matsui tossed a scoreless tenth, walking one (intentional – Yandy Díaz), and striking out two.
- Mason Miller allowed two hits, including a game-tying two-run home run by Jonny DeLuca, and recorded two strikeouts during his second blown save. He has allowed a home run in his last two appearances.
- Adrian Morejon tossed a scoreless eighth, hitting a batter and striking out one, securing his 22nd hold.
- Bradgley Rodriguez retired the side in the seventh, notching his 11th hold.
Hierarchy Remains: Mason Miller | Adrian Morejon | Bradgley Rodriguez
Washington Nationals – A season of high-leverage ineptitude continued, resulting in the team’s MLB-leading 35th blown save. Taking over at the top of the ninth ahead 2-0, Max Kranick allowed a single, a walk, and retired Javier Sanoja on a pop-out, but a double steal put runners into scoring position, and another walk loaded the bases, prompting his removal.
Tom Cosgrove hit the first batter he faced (Jakob Marsee), forcing in a run, then induced a sacrifice fly, during which a throwing error scored the go-ahead run. After another walk in the inning, a double steal scored another run, followed by a two-run home run by Otto Lopez. Kranick was charged with his first loss, finishing with a hit, three earned runs, and two walks in one-third of the ninth. Cosgrove suffered his third blown save, giving up a hit, three earned runs, and a walk over two-thirds of the ninth.
- Clayton Beeter notched his eighth hold, tossing two scoreless frames, walking one and striking out three.
Hierarchy Remains: *Orlando Ribalta | *Clayton Beeter | Tom Cosgrove
*= closer-by-committee
Quick Hits
- Chicago Cubs: Appearing for the first time since August 25, Jacob Webb allowed a hit and recorded a strikeout in a scoreless top of the ninth during his team’s eventual two-run loss. He threw 18 pitches (11 strikes – 61.1% Strike Rate) and induced three whiffs (16.7 SwStr%).
- Colorado Rockies: As the piggyback, Ryan Feltner suffered his ninth loss, allowing five hits, an unearned run, and two walks while striking out six over four-plus innings. He did not record an out at the bottom of the tenth, giving up consecutive singles by Ronald Acuña Jr. and Matt Olson’s walk-off.
- Los Angeles Dodgers: Closing out a five-run lead in Detroit, Seth Halvorsen retired the side on eight pitches (75% Strike Rate) without a whiff. Kyle Hurt worked a scoreless eighth, walking and striking out one.
- New York Mets: As the first reliever in at the top of the sixth, Jonathan Pintaro allowed three hits, including LaMonte Wade Jr.’s go-ahead two-run home run, and recorded two strikeouts. This resulted in his first loss and first blown save.
Holds Tally
Here are the holds from Sunday’s slate:
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Statistical Credits: