Wednesday’s 14-game slate resulted in five reliever wins, though one was accompanied by a blown save (David Bednar). Relievers also secured seven saves and suffered five losses. Here are the saves in condensed form:
For the save streamers:
Vulture Save Options for August 21
- Andrew Kittredge (CHC) – Daniel Palencia and Brad Keller have pitched the two previous days.
- Rico Garcia (BAL) – If the batting order progresses in his favor, he may receive the next save chance for the Orioles.
- Phil Maton (TEX) – Shawn Armstrong threw 31 pitches yesterday.
News, Notes, and Observations
Although redraft players had already moved on, those in keeper leagues may be following suit based on the latest update about Félix Bautista:
With a four-game series against the Yankees on tap, the Red Sox demoted one reliever which opens the door for another’s return:
After allowing two runs on Tuesday, Kenley Jansen was unavailable on Wednesday:
After the Dodgers leave Coors Field, the bullpen may receive reinforcements:
Miami lost one of its hierarchical triumvirate for the remainder of the season:
Here are the leverage events of interest from Wednesday.
Leverage Ledger
Arizona Diamondbacks – Taking over with a runner on and one out at the top of the tenth, Andrew Saalfrank retired both batters he faced, one via strikeout, then collected his first win on a walk-off rally at the bottom of the inning. He threw nine pitches (66.7% strike rate) and induced two whiffs (22.2 SwStr%).
He has been scoreless in three of his last four, securing this win and two saves.
- John Curtiss worked 1.1 scoreless innings, allowing a walk and striking out two.
- Juan Morillo allowed a hit and recorded two strikeouts in a scoreless top of the seventh.
Updated Hierarchy: *Andrew Saalfrank | *Juan Morillo | *Kyle Backhus
*= closer-by-committee
Atlanta Braves – Completing a combined shutout and locking down his 21st save, Raisel Iglesias fired a clean top of the ninth while striking out one. He threw eight pitches, all strikes, and induced one whiff (12.5 SwStr%) against the White Sox.
Not only has the closer converted his last nine save chances, but he has been scoreless through his last 13 games, posting a 0.385 WHIP with 12 strikeouts and zero walks (27.3 K-BB%).
- Pierce Johnson notched his 13th hold, retiring the side and striking out one in the eighth.
Hierarchy Remains: Raisel Iglesias | Dylan Lee | Pierce Johnson
Chicago Cubs – It was a white knuckle ride, but Daniel Palencia allowed two hits, an earned run, and two walks, but held on for his 18th save, preserving a one-run margin when Nico Hoerner snared a liner by William Contreras with the bases loaded and two outs at the top of the ninth. Palencia threw 28 pitches (60.7% strike rate) and generated six whiffs (21.4 SwStr%) while recording two strikeouts. First, his illustrator:
And his results:
His contact rate allowed and command must be monitored closely through the end of the season.
- Brad Keller fired a clean top of the eighth and recorded a strikeout for his 20th hold.
- Caleb Thielbar worked 1.1 scoreless innings, letting his only inherited runner score in the sixth, yielding a hit and striking out one during his 17th hold.
Hierarchy Remains: Daniel Palencia | Brad Keller | Andrew Kittredge
Cleveland Guardians – Entering a tied game at the bottom of the tenth, Matt Festa recorded an out on a sacrifice bunt, then allowed a walk-off bloop single by Adrian Del Castillo, scoring the “place” runner, resulting in his third loss.
Cade Smith took over at the bottom of the eighth against Corbin Carroll and retired him on an inning-ending flyout. However, during the ninth, he allowed a game-tying lead-off solo home run by Lourdes Gurriel Jr., then retired the next three batters, one via strikeout.
Smith suffered his fourth blown save, throwing 18 pitches (66.7% strike rate) and inducing two whiffs (11.1 SwStr%). He has allowed a run in consecutive appearances.
- Hunter Gaddis notched his 26th hold, retiring all three batters faced across the seventh and eighth innings.
Updated Hierarchy: Cade Smith | Hunter Gaddis | Eric Sabrowski
Los Angeles Angels – Filling in capably and recording his first save of the season, Luis García retired the Reds in order, preserving a one-run lead. He threw 14 pitches (71.4% strike rate) and generated five whiffs (35.7% SwStr%).
He has been scoreless over his last eight games.
- Reid Detmers earned his fourth win, working a scoreless top of the eighth, issuing a walk and recording two strikeouts while facing the 9-1-2-3 hitters.
For now:
Hierarchy Remains: Kenley Jansen | Reid Detmers | Luis García
New York Yankees – Presented a three-run lead at the bottom of the tenth, Devin Williams let the “place” runner score on Bob Seymour’s lead-off single, allowed Tristan Gray’s double, then retired the next three batters via strikeout, posting his 18th save. He threw 24 pitches (62.5% strike rate) and produced five whiffs (20.8 SwStr%).
It’s his first save since July 29, oddly enough, also against the Rays.
David Bednar suffered his third blown save, allowing two hits, including Hunter Feduccia’s two-out, two-RBI double, tying the game.
This snapped Bednar’s six-game scoreless streak, but he did collect his fourth win, courtesy of a three-run rally at the top of the tenth.
- Luke Weaver notched his 14th hold, giving up Bob Seymour’s solo home run and recording two strikeouts during his 1.1 innings.
Updated Hierarchy: David Bednar | Luke Weaver | Devin Williams
Pittsburgh Pirates – Locking down his ninth save, Dennis Santana fired a clean top of the ninth and recorded a strikeout while preserving a one-run win over Toronto. He threw eight pitches, all strikes, and induced one whiff (12.5 SwStr%) against the 3-4-5 lineup pocket.
He has been scoreless over his last five appearances, posting a win and converting all three save opportunities.
- Isaac Mattson worked around a hit batter for a scoreless eighth and recorded a strikeout for his fifth hold.
- Kyle Nicolas gave up a hit while logging two scoreless frames, securing his second hold.
Hierarchy Remains: Dennis Santana | Isaac Mattson | Kyle Nicolas
Texas Rangers – Called upon at the bottom of the eighth with two outs, Hoby Milner recorded an inning-ending strikeout of Kyle Isbel. After his teammates scored three at the top of the ninth, Milner returned and retired Kansas City’s top of the lineup in order, preserving the lead while collecting his second win. He threw 19 pitches (78.9% strike rate) without a whiff during his 1.1 scoreless innings.
- Shawn Armstrong worked around two hits and a walk while striking out three over 1.1 scoreless frames.
- Jacob Latz logged 3.1 scoreless innings, giving up a hit and a walk while striking out four.
Updated Hierarchy: *Shawn Armstrong | *Hoby Milner | Phil Maton
*= closer-by-committee
The Athletics – Morphing into another fluid matchup-based bullpen, it was all hands on deck against the Twins. Tyler Ferguson held on for his second save, stranding the “place” runner while issuing a walk during a scoreless bottom of the tenth, preserving a two-run lead.
- Michael Kelly was awarded his third win, after stranding a runner despite giving up a hit during two-thirds scoreless at the bottom of the ninth.
- Hogan Harris allowed a walk and recorded a strikeout, recording an out in the eighth and ninth innings.
- Elvis Alvarado worked a scoreless combined inning, allowing two hits and a walk.
- Sean Newcomb stranded two runners at the bottom of the fifth and gave up a hit during two scoreless innings.
Updated Hierarchy: *Tyler Ferguson | *Hogan Harris | *Sean Newcomb
*= closer-by-committee
Washington Nationals – Handed a one-run lead, Jose A. Ferrer allowed a one-out infield single by Cedric Mullins, then induced a game-ending double play groundout, securing his third save. He threw seven pitches (71.4% strike rate) and induced one whiff (14.3 SwStr%).
This extended his scoreless streak to six games, during which he has recorded two wins while converting all three save chances with a 1.00 WHIP and five strikeouts across eight innings.
- Clayton Beeter retired the side on nine pitches in the eighth, notching his first hold.
- Shinnosuke Ogasawara fired a clean seventh and recorded a strikeout for his first hold.
- Cole Henry stranded a runner despite issuing a walk during two-thirds scoreless in the sixth, resulting in his sixth hold.
Updated Hierarchy: Jose A. Ferrer | Clayton Beeter | Shinnosuke Ogasawara
Quick Hits
- Kansas City Royals: Entering at the top of the eighth, Sam Long kept the game tied, but things went sideways in the ninth, resulting in three unearned runs and his third loss. He finished with five hits and a walk while striking out one during his two innings. Lucas Erceg suffered his fifth blown save, letting his only inherited runner score, allowing two hits and a walk during one-third of the seventh.
- Miami Marlins: After warming for a save chance, Calvin Faucher settled for closing out a four-run win over the Cardinals by retiring the side and recording two strikeouts at the top of the ninth. He threw 19 pitches (68.4% strike rate) and produced two whiffs. Ronny Henriquez notched his 18th hold, firing a clean top of the eighth while striking out two.
- Minnesota Twins: Although he stranded two runners at the top of the ninth, Génesis Cabrera suffered his first loss, allowing a go-ahead two-run home run by Shea Langeliers at the top of the tenth. He finished with a hit, two runs (one earned), and recorded two strikeouts during his 1.1 innings.
- Philadelphia Phillies: Tanner Banks stranded a runner while striking out his only batter faced at the top of the seventh, notching his sixth hold. David Robertson allowed two hits, including Eugenio Suárez’s solo home run, and a walk while striking out one over two-thirds of the seventh, getting credit for his second hold.
- Tampa Bay Rays: Tasked with the top of the tenth, Pete Fairbanks struggled, allowing Giancarlo Stanton’s go-ahead pinch-hit two-run home run and a solo shot by Austin Wells, resulting in three runs (two earned) while suffering his fourth loss.
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