Sunday’s slate featured four wins, five saves, five losses, and three blown saves by relievers. Here are the saves in condensed form:
There have been 753 saves this season by 198 different pitchers.
Here are the vulture save options:
Vulture Save Options for 7.20.2026
- Tyler Kinley (ATL): Iglesias, Lee, and Fuentes have all pitched in back-to-back games.
- Jose A. Ferrer (SEA): Muñoz, Speier, and Bazardo have worked in two straight.
Vulture Save Stashes for 7.21.2026
- Paul Blackburn (NYY): If Bednar pitches today, it will be consecutive appearances, and he threw 32 pitches during Sunday’s win.
- Orion Kerkering (PHI): If Duran pitches tonight, it’s back-to-back games.
For those interested in our premium option (ad-free content), please use this LINK. It is $15 and covers the trade deadline and the second half of the season, and includes a sneak preview of this service for upcoming seasons. Premium operates via Substack in 2026. Please include your preferred email address, and we will manually add you to our ad-free list. You can also Venmo the $15 to @gjewett9.
Both trade deadline primers were updated with statistics through the first half:
American League Trade Deadline Primer
National League Trade Deadline Primer
Turning a 1-0 lead into a walkoff loss, Pete Fairbanks allowed Jackson Chourio’s leadoff single, walked Brice Turang, then served up William Contreras’ three-run home run. This sets a career high for home runs allowed in a season (eight) for the veteran closer and is his first by a right-handed batter this year. This results in his fourth loss and third blown save. He has allowed at least a run in six of his last nine appearances and should be considered on the “hot seat.”
- Michael Petersen notched his 17th hold, stranded a runner in the seventh, and retired all four batters, striking out one on 18 pitches (14 strikes – 77.8% Strike Rate) with one whiff.
- Cade Gibson gave up a hit and struck out one during two-thirds of the seventh for his second hold.
There have not been any reports of using Fairbanks in lower-leverage situations, but those searching for a stash play should focus on Petersen. He has a 0.833 WHIP with 13 strikeouts and four walks over his last 12 appearances, recording eight holds. The game recap on MLB.com quotes Clayton McCullough saying he’s not moving Fairbanks from the closer role. For now:
Miami better hope his results with the four-seam fastball and cutter improve.
However, his 7.42 ERA is accompanied by a 3.48 SIERA and a 5.09 xERA. The inflated xERA suggests he will struggle to overcome the quality of contact he’s allowing this season.
Hierarchy Remains: Pete Fairbanks | Michael Petersen | Calvin Faucher
Three Takeaways
Pittsburgh’s usage patterns remain pliable: Finishing off a six-run lead in Cleveland, Isaac Mattson retired the side and struck out one at the bottom of the ninth. Mason Montgomery fired a clean bottom of the eighth and recorded two strikeouts on 14 pitches (71.4% Strike Rate) with one whiff. This extended his scoreless streak to eight games, during which he’s posted a 0.546 WHIP with 14 strikeouts and three walks (42.3 K-BB%) across 7.1 innings.
Updated Hierarchy: *Gregory Soto | *Mason Montgomery | *Carmen Mlodzinski
*= closer-by-committee
The Durantula: Making his first appearance of the second half, Jhoan Duran allowed Juan Soto’s two-out single during a scoreless top of the ninth in an eventual loss. He threw 22 pitches (13 strikes – 59.1% Strike Rate) without a whiff. He owns a 12-game scoreless streak, during which he’s posted a 0.833 WHIP with 17 strikeouts versus one walk (34.8 K-BB%) across 12 innings.
Updated Hierarchy: Jhoan Duran | Orion Kerkering | Jonathan Bowlan
Pagán’s second-half debut: Finishing his team’s win in Colorado and making his first appearance in the second half, Emilio Pagán allowed two hits, including Hunter Goodman’s solo home run, and recorded two strikeouts. He threw 22 pitches (16 strikes – 72.7% Strike Rate) and produced five whiffs (22.7 SwStr%).
Hierarchy Remains: Emilio Pagán | Brock Burke | Tejay Antone
Here are the remaining leverage events of interest from Sunday.
American League
Baltimore Orioles – Handed a three-run lead at the bottom of the ninth, Grant Wolfram retired the side against Houston’s 6-7-8 hitters and recorded his first career save. He threw 12 pitches (66.7% Strike Rate) without a whiff. He’s been scoreless in his last four appearances.
- Rico Garcia allowed two hits, including Jose Altuve’s solo home run, and struck out one in the eighth.
Before this game, Ryan Helsley was placed on the 60-day injured list:
This will backdate from his designation date, July third, but it means he’s out until September.
Hierarchy Remains: Tyler Wells | Andrew Kittredge | Yennier Cano
Chicago White Sox – Working around Ernie Clement’s leadoff infield single and Nathan Lukes bunt single, Grant Taylor sealed a combined shutout and his fifth save, retiring Vlad Guerrero Jr. on a lineout, then inducing a game-ending double-play groundout against Kazuma Okamoto. Taylor threw nine pitches (77.8% Strike Rate) without a whiff. He’s been scoreless over his last four appearances, spanning 4.2 innings, recording three saves in them.
- Bryan Hudson notched his sixth hold, stranding an inherited runner and retiring all four batters faced, striking out one.
Updated Hierarchy: Grant Taylor | Sean Newcomb | Jordan Hicks
Los Angeles Angels – Receiving his first save opportunity since June 12, Ryan Zeferjahn allowed Riley Greene’s leadoff home run, then retired the next three Tigers, recording his third save. He threw 15 pitches (60% Strike Rate) and induced three whiffs (20 SwStr%). He worked his way back into save situations, posting a 0.866 WHIP in his previous 16 appearances. Walks remain an issue, but he’s a streamer for saves for those seeking them moving forward.
- Sam Bachman notched his 15th hold, retiring the side against the top of the order, and may be in a save share, but it’s yet to be determined.
- Chase Silseth gave up a hit in a scoreless seventh for his seventh hold.
- Samy Natera Jr. fired a clean sixth, striking out two, and secured his third hold.
Recent struggles by Kirby Yates have necessitated a changing of the guard. Round one went to Zeferjahn, but Bachman has been in the high-leverage mix with him. The closer-by-committee designation will be removed if the next save chance goes to Zeferjahn.
Updated Hierarchy: *Ryan Zeferjahn | *Sam Bachman | Samy Natera Jr.
*= closer-by-committee
New York Yankees – (Game 2) – Forced into action at the top of the eighth with two runners on and one out during a tied game, David Bednar struck out Shohei Ohtani and induced an inning-ending popout by Andy Pages. Returning for the ninth with a one-run lead, he worked around Freddie Freeman’s leadoff walk by retiring the next three Dodgers, earning his fourth win. He logged 1.2 scoreless innings, walking one and striking out two on 32 pitches (21 strikes – 65.6% Strike Rate) and generated seven whiffs (21.9 SwStr%). He has been scoreless since May 22, posting a 0.532 WHIP with 22 strikeouts and four walks (24.7 K-BB%) over 20.2 innings.
- Fernando Cruz suffered his third blown save, allowing Tommy Edman’s game-tying solo home run and two walks while striking out one in one-third of the eighth.
- Brent Headrick notched his 11th hold, firing two clean frames and striking out three.
(Game 1) – Angel Chivilli stranded a runner and retired all four batters, three on strikeouts, throwing 20 pitches (65% Strike Rate) with four whiffs (20 SwStr%). He owns a modest five-game scoreless streak. He may soon surpass Cruz and Doval on the leverage ladder.
Hierarchy Remains: David Bednar | Fernando Cruz | Paul Blackburn
Seattle Mariners – Slamming the door on his 17th save, Andrés Muñoz fired a clean top of the ninth, striking out two while sealing a three-run lead against the Giants. He threw nine pitches, all strikes, and generated four whiffs (44.4 SwStr%). This extends his scoreless streak to 12 games, during which he owns a 0.75 WHIP with 18 strikeouts and four walks (31.8 K-BB%) over 12 innings.
- Gabe Speier notched his 13th hold, walking and striking out one in a scoreless eighth.
- Eduard Bazardo allowed a hit and struck out three in the seventh, securing his 19th hold.
Hierarchy Remains: Andrés Muñoz | Eduard Bazardo | Gabe Speier
Quick Hits
- Detroit Tigers: As the first reliever in, Drew Anderson suffered his fourth loss, giving up a hit, an earned run, and three walks while striking out one across his 1.1 innings. Appearing for the first time in the second half, Kenley Jansen worked a scoreless bottom of the eighth, walking one and striking out two. He threw 19 pitches (11 strikes – 57.9% Strike Rate) with three whiffs (15.8 SwStr%).
- Houston Astros: After allowing one home run in his first 40 innings this season, Bryan King has given up five in his last four outings, including Sunday’s solo shot by Coby Mayo. King was demoted after the game.
National League
Atlanta Braves – Closing out a win over Texas, Raisel Iglesias served up Wyatt Langford’s leadoff home run, then retired the next three batters, one via strikeout, in a non-save outing. He threw eight pitches, all strikes, and induced two whiffs (25 SwStr%). Through seven games in July, he’s allowed at least a run in three and two home runs, resulting in a 1.143 WHIP with eight strikeouts and one walk over seven innings.
- Dylan Lee gave up a hit, an earned run, and a walk while striking out two in the eighth.
- Didier Fuentes stranded two runners in the sixth and retired all four batters for his tenth hold.
- Dylan Dodd yielded two hits and struck out two during two-thirds of the sixth, credited with his fifth.
Hierarchy Remains: Raisel Iglesias | Didier Fuentes | Dylan Lee
Washington Nationals – Called upon with two runners on and two outs at the bottom of the eighth, Clayton Beeter worked around a wild pitch and induced an inning-ending groundout by Carlos Cortes. Returning for the ninth, he navigated around a one-out walk and a two-out RBI single by Jacob Wilson with a game-ending groundout, securing his eighth save. He finished with a hit, an earned run, and a walk while striking out two on 24 pitches (50% Strike Rate) with two whiffs (8.3 SwStr%).
- Tom Cosgrove allowed two hits and recorded two strikeouts during two-thirds of the eighth.
Updated Hierarchy: *Clayton Beeter | *Tom Cosgrove | *Orlando Ribalta
*= closer-by-committee
Quick Hits
- Arizona Diamondbacks: Summoned with two runners on and two outs during a tied game at the top of the ninth, Juan Morillo induced an inning-ending groundout by JJ Wetherholt. Returning for the tenth, he stranded the “courtesy runner,” despite allowing Iván Herrera’s leadoff single with a pop-out double play versus Jordan Walker and a groundout. He collected his third win on a walk-off rally at the bottom of the inning.
- Colorado Rockies: Amid his team’s eventual loss, Jordan Romano worked a clean top of the ninth, striking out one on 12 pitches (66.7% Strike Rate) with two whiffs (16.7 SwStr%) in his first outing of the second half.
- Los Angeles Dodgers: In Game 2, Evan Phillips suffered his first loss, allowing Jazz Chisolm Jr.’s go-ahead solo home run among his two hits and a walk while striking out one at the bottom of the eighth. This was a bullpen game that featured seven relievers.
- Milwaukee Brewers: Benefiting from his team’s walkoff rally, Grant Anderson earned his third win, retiring the side and striking out one at the top of the ninth.
- San Diego Padres: In order of appearance, Yuki Matsui logged two clean innings and struck out three across the fourth and fifth innings, collecting his first win. Randy Vásquez worked three scoreless innings, scattering three hits and striking out two for his first hold. Wandy Peralta tossed a clean bottom of the ninth, closing out a lopsided contest.
- San Francisco Giants: Entering at the bottom of the sixth, Adrian Houser suffered his seventh loss, allowing four hits, including two home runs, three earned runs, and a walk while striking out one across his three innings.
- St. Louis Cardinals: After tossing a scoreless bottom of the ninth, Luis Gastelum suffered his first loss in the tenth, allowing Max Kepler’s one-out walk-off RBI double, scoring the “courtesy runner.” Gordon Graceffo gave up two hits, including Nolan Arenado’s game-tying two-run home run, and a walk in the eighth, resulting in his first blown save.
Holds Tally
Here are the holds from Sunday’s slate:
Thanks for being a part of the Closer Monkey community. Stay safe and be well.
Statistical Credits: