Friday’s slate featured six wins, six saves, eight losses, and six blown saves by relievers. Here are the saves in condensed form:
There have been 717 saves this season by 191 different pitchers.
Here are the vulture save options:
Vulture Save Options for 7.11.2026
- Tyler Wells (BAL): Kittredge has pitched in two straight games.
- Ryan Zeferjahn (LAA): Yates has appeared in back-to-back contests.
- Shawn Armstrong (CLE): Smith and Gaddis have pitched in three consecutive games.
- Dylan Smith (SF): Kilian and Miller have pitched the two previous games.
- Fernando Cruz (NYY): Bednar logged a two-inning win last night.
Doubleheader Options
- Milwaukee Brewers: Preferred: Abner Uribe; YOLO: Craig Yoho
- Pittsburgh Pirates: Preferred: Mason Montgomery; YOLO: Carmen Mlodzinski
Vulture Save Stash for 7.12.2026
- Ryne Stanek (STL): If O’Brien and Romero pitch today, it’s back-to-back games.
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Both trade deadline primers were updated with statistics entering play on July 10:
American League Trade Deadline Primer
National League Trade Deadline Primer
Instead of a lead, today’s post will highlight three teams struggling to find consistency with a lead in the ninth inning: San Francisco, Washington, and Colorado.
As a primer, their updated save results using their data from Baseball Reference:
Three Takeaways
Kilian on the “hot seat.” Summoned with two runners on and no outs at the top of the ninth, Erik Miller allowed a sacrifice fly by Cole Carrigg and a single by Hunter Goodman before inducing a fielder’s choice groundout and an inning-ending strikeout. Caleb Kilian began the ninth with a one-run lead. His outing began with a Mickey Moniak single, followed by a walk to pinch-hitter Troy Johnson, then consecutive hits, including Kyle Karros’ go-ahead two-RBI single, prompting Kilian’s removal, resulting in his fifth loss and a third blown save. He finished with three hits, three earned runs, and a walk without recording an out.
This was Kilian’s third straight appearance against the Rockies. He has allowed multiple hits in each of them, and though it was not hard contact, results matter. Through 38 innings, he owns a 1.395 WHIP with 47 strikeouts and 18 walks (17.4 K-BB%). His SIERA (3.43) and xERA (3.57) indicate he should have better ratios, but since June 23, he’s allowed 14 hits, nine earned runs, and three walks while striking out nine over seven games, spanning 5.2 innings. In these games, he’s converted four of six save chances while suffering two losses. His .636 BABIP will not continue, but the damage he’s doing to ratios is not worth the saves he’s posting.
As for the Giants, a summary of the bullpen in two tweets:
He should be considered on the “hot seat,” but for now:
Hierarchy Remains: Caleb Kilian | Dylan Smith | Erik Miller
Washington’s meltdowns continue: It’s tough managing a matchup-based bullpen cobbled together from waiver claims. With a one-run lead, Matt Krook was brought in to face the Yankees’ lineup lane with two left-handed hitters and a switch-hitter. He induced a groundout by Cody Bellinger, allowed Jasson Domínguez’s single, followed by Jazz Chisolm Jr.’s go-ahead two-run home run, resulting in his first loss and a second blown save, his team’s MLB-leading 26th of the season.
Before the ninth, Clayton Beeter stranded a runner, retiring his only batter (Paul Goldschmidt) via strikeout for his fifth hold. Tom Cosgrove allowed a hit and a walk in two-thirds of the eighth, credited with his first hold. As the team leader in saves, it was strange that he did not return for the ninth. However, Blake Butera remains true to the team’s process in the late innings:
There is a fine line between a process and trusting your talent. Two journeymen claimed off waivers should not take precedence over the best option for a save. Perhaps this game will be a tipping point, but if not, expect more meltdowns en route to a major league record for blown saves in a season.
Hierarchy Remains: *Clayton Beeter | *PJ Poulin | *Orlando Ribalta
*= closer-by-committee
The Rockies prevailed, but Romano flailed: Pressed into duty at the bottom of the ninth with two outs, Juan Mejia stranded the bases loaded by inducing a game-ending groundout by Bryce Eldridge, preserving a one-run lead while recording his fourth save on one pitch.
Jordan Romano opened the ninth with a leadoff walk to Drew Cavanaugh, induced a groundout, walked Luis Arraez, allowed an infield single, resulting in an earned run on a sacrifice fly by Rafael Devers. However, when he loaded the bases with his third walk of the inning, he was removed and credited with his first hold. He threw 35 pitches (57.1% Strike Rate) and produced two whiffs. First, his illustrator:
And, his results, showing that the three walks were not competitive pitches on ball four:
Antonio Senzatela earned his ninth win, retiring the side and striking out one in the eighth.
This may undergo more changes soon, but:
Updated Hierarchy: Jordan Romano | Victor Vodnik | Antonio Senzatela
Here are the remaining leverage events of interest from Friday.
American League
Baltimore Orioles – Capping his team’s go-ahead rally at the bottom of the eighth, Andrew Kittredge secured his third save, second in as many days, working around Michael Massey’s leadoff double by retiring the next three batters, one via strikeout. He threw 11 pitches (72.7% Strike Rate) and induced two whiffs (18.2 SwStr%). He’s been scoreless in his last seven appearances, posting a 0.948 WHIP with seven strikeouts and one walk (23 K-BB%) across 6.1 innings.
- Rico Garcia earned his fourth win, tossing a clean top of the eighth, striking out one.
Hierarchy Remains: Tyler Wells | Andrew Kittredge | Yennier Cano
Cleveland Guardians – Forgoing workload management, Cade Smith appeared in his third straight contest, preserving a one-run lead while recording his MLB-leading 28th save. He retired the side in Miami on nine pitches (77.8% Strike Rate) and produced one whiff (11.1 SwStr%). This marks the second time this season he’s worked without rest in a three-day span, and he has been scoreless through five games in July with a save in his last two.
- Hunter Gaddis also worked in his third consecutive game, allowing a hit and striking out one for his 17th hold in the eighth.
- Colin Holderman stranded a runner, giving up a hit and striking out one over two-thirds of the seventh for his eighth hold.
- Erik Sabrowski was credited with his 20th hold despite allowing a solo home run and a walk during one-third of the seventh.
Hierarchy Remains: Cade Smith | Hunter Gaddis | Erik Sabrowski
Los Angeles Angels – Securing his third save, Kirby Yates navigated around Trevor Larnach’s one-out double with a groundout and a game-ending lineout, preserving a one-run lead. He threw 13 pitches (10 strikes – 76.9% Strike Rate) and induced two whiffs (15.4 SwStr%). It’s his first save since June 27, and he’s been scoreless in seven of his last eight games, posting a 0.682 WHIP with 11 strikeouts and no walks (42.3 K-BB%) across his last 7.1 innings.
- Sam Bachman notched his 13th hold, walking one and striking out two in a scoreless bottom of the eighth.
- Samy Natera Jr. let both inherited runners score in the sixth, but worked 1.2 scoreless innings, scattering two hits and walking one while striking out two for his second hold.
Hierarchy Remains: Kirby Yates | Sam Bachman | Ryan Zeferjahn
New York Yankees – After tossing a scoreless bottom of the eighth, hitting a batter (Daylen Lile), David Bednar returned for the ninth and retired the side, collecting his third win. His teammates scored three at the top of the ninth, taking the lead. Bednar extended his scoreless streak to 15 games, during which he’s recorded two wins, converted six saves, and posted a 0.33 WHIP with 19 strikeouts and three walks (25.4 K-BB%) across 18 innings.
- Jake Bird retired both batters in the seventh.
- Tim Hill suffered his second blown save, giving up back-to-back home runs and the lead during one-third of the seventh.
- Fernando Cruz stranded two runners and struck out both batters in the sixth for his 15th hold.
Hierarchy Remains: David Bednar | Fernando Cruz | Camilo Doval
Toronto Blue Jays – Despite allowing three hits, including an RBI single by Jackson Merrill, Louis Varland secured his 19th save and recorded one strikeout, closing out a win in San Diego. He threw 26 pitches (15 strikes – 57.7% Strike Rate) and induced two whiffs (7.7 SwStr%). Through three appearances in July, he has recorded two saves, but this outing marks his first multi-hit game since June 13, and his WHIP has nearly reached 1.00 (0.98) as a result.
- Tyler Rogers fired a clean eighth for his 19th hold.
- Jeff Hoffman worked a clean seventh, striking out one for his tenth hold.
- Chad Dallas gave up a hit and struck out one in a scoreless sixth, securing his first hold.
- Mason Fluharty stranded a runner, striking out his only batter in the fifth, resulting in his fourth win.
Hierarchy Remains: Louis Varland | Tyler Rogers | Jeff Hoffman
Quick Hits
- Houston Astros: With the score tied at the bottom of the eighth, Bryan King allowed four hits, including two home runs, four earned runs, and a walk, culminating in his second loss. Steven Okert fired a clean seventh, striking out two.
- Kansas City Royals: Taking over a tied game at the bottom of the eighth, Matt Strahm allowed two hits, including Samuel Basallo’s go-ahead two-run home run, resulting in his second loss. Daniel Lynch IV fired a clean seventh, striking out one. Steven Cruz worked a clean sixth and struck out one.
- Seattle Mariners: Appearing in an eventual loss, Eduard Bazardo fired a clean bottom of the sixth, striking out two. Jose A. Ferrer allowed four hits and three earned runs over one-third of the seventh.
- Texas Rangers: Sealing a four-run lead, Tyler Alexander allowed a hit and struck out one at the top of the ninth. Cole Winn logged 1.1 clean innings and earned his fifth win on his team’s four-run rally in the bottom of the eighth. Chris Martin gave up two hits, including Yainer Diaz’s two-run home run, resulting in his second blown save in two-thirds of the seventh inning.
National League
St. Louis Cardinals – Shutting the door on his 23rd save, Riley O’Brien fired a clean top of the ninth, striking out two against Atlanta’s 3-4-5 hitters. He threw 12 pitches (66.7% Strike Rate) and produced three whiffs (25 SwStr%). He has been scoreless in his last six appearances, posting a 0.50 WHIP with six strikeouts against one walk (20 K-BB%) through six innings.
- JoJo Romero was awarded his first win, retiring the side and striking out one in the eighth.
- Ryne Stanek walked one during a scoreless seventh. Justin Bruihl logged 1.2 clean innings, striking out one.
- George Soriano allowed two hits and an earned run, striking out one across 1.1 innings.
Hierarchy Remains: Riley O’Brien | JoJo Romero | George Soriano
Quick Hits
- Atlanta Braves: Taking over a tied game at the bottom of the eighth, Danny Young allowed Jimmy Crooks’ go-ahead solo home run and struck out one, resulting in his first loss.
- Los Angeles Dodgers: In an impromptu bullpen game, Will Klein suffered his fourth loss, logging 1.2 innings, allowing an earned run on two walks while striking out two.
- Philadelphia Phillies: Entering a tied game at the top of the sixth, Tim Mayza gave up two hits, five runs (four earned), and two walks while striking out one, resulting in his third loss.
Holds Tally
Here are the holds from Friday’s slate:
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Statistical Credits: