Wednesday’s 16-game slate featured nine wins, 11 saves, eight losses, and eight blown saves by relievers. Here are the saves in condensed form:
There have been 836 saves this season by 212 different pitchers.
Here are the vulture save options:
Vulture Save Options for 7.30.2026
- Calvin Faucher (MIA): Fairbanks has pitched in back-to-back games.
- Adrian Morejon (SD): Miller has worked in consecutive contests and four of the last six.
Vulture Save Stash for 7.31.2026
- Kevin Kelly (TB): If Baker pitches today, it will be two straight appearances.
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Making his first appearance since April 19, Edwin Díaz allowed Dominic Canzone’s one-out double, and Josh Naylor’s RBI two-out double while recording his fifth save, finishing off a win over the Mariners. He threw 13 pitches (9 strikes – 69.2% Strike Rate) without a whiff. Working with improved velocity, it’s an encouraging outing despite the run allowed.
First, his velocity results in this appearance:
And, his illustrator:
The two doubles were not the result of bad locations:
Positives lie in the increased velocity. Fantasy managers will monitor the whiffs and the workload he can handle following his procedure removing “loose bodies” from his elbow.
- Tanner Scott also gave up two hits and an earned run in the eighth, while recording a strikeout.
- Alex Vesia walked one during a scoreless seventh.
Updated Hierarchy: Edwin Díaz | Tanner Scott | Alex Vesia
Three Takeaways
A Diamondbacks’ demotion at closer: Sealing a combined shutout and recording his second save, Brandyn Garcia retired Brandon Lowe and Bryan Reynolds via strikeout, walked Esmerlyn Valdez, then induced a game-ending groundout by Ryan O’Hearn. He threw 17 pitches (11 strikes – 64.7% Strike Rate) and produced two whiffs (11.8 SwStr%). Through 13 appearances in July, he has been scoreless in 12, posting a 0.843 WHIP with 15 strikeouts and two walks (31 K-BB%) across 10.2 innings.
Paul Sewald has been removed from the closer role. In the postgame presser, Tory Lovullo would not name a closer. Garcia will be in the mix, but he’s the only left-handed reliever in the bullpen. Although Juan Morillo has been the team’s most valuable reliever over the previous 30 days and second in the majors in WPA in this time frame, Jonathan Loáisiga was mentioned by his manager as a right-handed option for saves.
Skills scream Morillo, but we are at the manager’s mercy, and he may prefer him as the fireman, not a closer. For now:
Updated Hierarchy: *Jonathan Loáisiga | *Brandyn Garcia | *Juan Morillo
*= closer-by-committee
Abreu’s ascension continues: Summoned at the bottom of the eighth with a runner on and two outs, Bryan Abreu retired all four batters faced, one via strikeout, and nailed down his seventh save. He threw 18 pitches (13 strikes – 72.2% Strike Rate) and produced one whiff. This extends his scoreless streak to seven games, during which he has recorded a 0.714 WHIP with eight strikeouts and two walks (23.1 K-BB%) through seven innings.
Not only has he worked his way back into his team’s high-leverage hierarchy, but he’s also rebuilding his appeal for his pending free agency with a velocity rebound:
Hierarchy Remains: Josh Hader | Bryan Abreu | Steven Okert
Securing a shutout in Minnesota: Sealing a combined shutout, Steven Cruz retired the Twins’ 4-5-6 hitters in order. He threw six pitches (83.3% Strike Rate) and produced one whiff (16.7 SwStr%). He’s been scoreless in his last three outings. Daniel Lynch IV allowed a single, retiring three of four batters in the eighth. He remains scoreless through 11 appearances in July. There have not been any hints at a leverage change, but the team preferred Cruz in this outing, passing on Alex Lange. Both Cruz and Lynch IV have worked in back-to-back games, so today’s game will fall upon Lange, who has a 1.90 WHIP with a 1-2 record while converting three of six save chances in July, across 6.1 innings. For now:
Hierarchy Remains: Alex Lange | Steven Cruz | Daniel Lynch IV
Here are the remaining leverage events of interest from Wednesday.
American League
Baltimore Orioles – Called on with two runners on and two outs at the bottom of the 12th, Andrew Kittredge induced a game-ending groundout, securing his fourth save on four pitches.
- Grant Wolfram stranded a runner in the 11th, retiring one batter, then gave up a walk while recording two outs before being removed, but collected his fourth win.
- Rico Garcia suffered his fifth blown save, serving up a game-tying two-run home run by Spencer Torkelson, putting an earned run on his ledger during his two-thirds of an inning.
- Tyler Wells logged two scoreless innings, spanning the ninth and the tenth, while issuing a walk (intentional – Riley Greene).
- Yennier Cano fired a clean eighth, striking out one.
Hierarchy Remains: *Tyler Wells | *Andrew Kittredge | Yennier Cano
*= closer-by-committee
Boston Red Sox – Preserving a two-run lead at the bottom of the tenth, Greg Weissert retired the side and recorded two strikeouts against the A’s, notching his first save of the season. He threw 15 pitches (73.3% Strike Rate) and produced one whiff while facing the 3-4-5 hitters.
Aroldis Chapman navigated around Lawrence Butler’s near home run, resulting in a double, leading off the ninth, retiring a batter on a sacrifice bunt, followed by consecutive strikeouts, keeping the game tied. He earned his second win after his teammates scored two at the top of the 10th.
- Garrett Whitlock allowed a hit and struck out one in the eighth.
- Justin Slaten gave up a hit and recorded a strikeout in the seventh.
- Tyron Guerrero fired a clean sixth, striking out one.
Hierarchy Remains: Aroldis Chapman | Garrett Whitlock | Justin Slaten
Chicago White Sox – After navigating around a leadoff hit and a one-out walk at the top of the 12th, Jordan Hicks collected his first win on a walk-off rally at the bottom of the inning. He threw 29 pitches (18 strikes – 62.1% Strike Rate) and induced three whiffs, striking out one in his outing.
- Bryan Hudson let his only inherited runner score on a sacrifice fly and allowed a hit during two-thirds of the 11th.
- Grant Taylor logged the longest appearance of his career, giving up an unearned run across 2.1 innings and striking out one, throwing 26 pitches (20 strikes – 76.9% Strike Rate) with two whiffs.
- Trevor Richards tossed a scoreless eighth, yielding a hit and striking out one.
- Chris Murphy worked a scoreless seventh, allowing a hit and striking out two.
Hierarchy Remains: Grant Taylor | Bryan Hudson | Jordan Hicks
Detroit Tigers – Pressed into action with a runner on and two outs at the top of the 12th, Brenan Hanifee retired his only batter. Drew Sommers let an inherited runner score in the 11th, and suffered his second loss, giving up two hits, an unearned run in the 12th, and striking out two during his combined inning of work.
- Jacob Waguespack logged 1.2 innings, letting both “courtesy runners” score, issuing a walk.
- Kenley Jansen tossed a scoreless ninth, walking and striking out one, keeping the game tied. He threw 18 pitches (55.6% Strike Rate) and induced one whiff.
- Drew Anderson allowed a walk and a game-tying two-RBI triple by Coby Mayo, resulting in his sixth blown save. He logged 1.1 innings, yielding a hit, two earned runs, and a walk while striking out two.
- Kyle Finnegan let both inherited runners score, allowing two hits, two earned runs, and a walk in the seventh without retiring a batter.
Blowing a lead in this fashion may trigger a sell-off at the trade deadline for the Tigers.
Hierarchy Remains: Kenley Jansen | Kyle Finnegan | Drew Anderson
New York Yankees – Taking over a tied game at the bottom of the 12th, Ryan Yarbrough suffered his first loss, allowing a sacrifice bunt and Edgar Quero’s walk-off RBI single. Camilo Doval had the “courtesy runner” score on a throwing error at third base on a pickoff attempt by his catcher, and issued two walks during the bottom of the 11th, resulting in his fourth blown save.
- Tim Hill tossed a clean tenth, striking out one.
- Paul Blackburn let his only inherited runner score, giving up Sam Antonacci’s two-run home run, followed by Munetaka Murakami’s game-tying solo shot, handing him his second blown save. He finished his 1.2 innings with two hits, two earned runs, and a walk while striking out two.
- Fernando Cruz stranded two runners in the seventh and gave up Chase Meidroth’s double before being removed in the eighth, getting credited with his 17th hold but also incurring an earned run during his inning of work.
Hierarchy Remains: David Bednar | Fernando Cruz | Brent Headrick
Tampa Bay Rays – Working around a one-out double by Brandon Nimmo, Bryan Baker retired the next two batters, preserving a combined shutout for his 29th save. He threw 20 pitches (80% Strike Rate) and induced two whiffs. He owns a 10-game scoreless streak, during which he’s recorded a 0.70 WHIP with eight strikeouts and two walks while converting nine saves.
- Kevin Kelly fired a clean top of the eighth, striking out the side for his 21st hold.
- Garrett Cleavinger retired both batters in the seventh, striking out one, securing his 19th hold.
- Ian Seymour earned his seventh win, appearing as the bulk follower. He logged 4.2 innings, allowing two hits and a walk while striking out four.
Hierarchy Remains: Bryan Baker | Kevin Kelly | Garrett Cleavinger
Toronto Blue Jays – Forced into action at the bottom of the seventh, Tyler Rogers induced an inning-ending groundout by Nasim Nuñez. Returning for the eighth, he allowed a leadoff double by James Wood, followed by a Luis Garcia Jr. RBI-single, and walked José Tena, prompting his removal.
Louis Varland stranded both runners, getting a fielder’s choice groundout, issuing a walk, and retiring the next two batters. Protecting a three-run lead in the ninth, he gave up a leadoff single, followed by a double-play groundout, and a game-ending groundout against Wood, securing his 23rd save. Varland threw 20 pitches (75% Strike Rate) and produced four whiffs (20 SwStr%) during his two innings, allowing a hit and a walk with one strikeout.
Hierarchy Remains: Louis Varland | Tyler Rogers | Jeff Hoffman
Quick Hits
- Cleveland Guardians: Erik Sabrowski collected his fourth win, stranding two runners and striking out both batters faced in the sixth.
- Los Angeles Angels: Entering with a one-run lead at the top of the sixth, Mitch Farris suffered his third loss and a blown save, giving up two hits, including a go-ahead two-RBI double by Cam Smith, three earned runs, and three walks while striking out one against the Astros.
- The Athletics: Tasked with the top of the 10th, José Suarez suffered his third loss, serving up Andruw Monasterio’s lead-off two-run home run, then retiring the next three batters, putting an earned run on his ledger.
National League
Atlanta Braves – (Game 1) – After stranding a runner at the bottom of the sixth, Dylan Dodd struggled upon his return in the seventh, allowing a hit, an earned run, a hit batter, and two walks while striking out two, resulting in his first loss.
(Game 2) – Completing a combined 1-0 whitewash of the Mets, Raisel Iglesias retired the side throwing eight pitches, all strikes, and producing one whiff, locking down his 22nd save. It has been a tumultuous month for the closer, allowing at least a run in five of his 11 appearances, recording a 1.125 WHIP, and allowing three home runs among his 10 hits across 10.2 innings.
- Dylan Lee fired a clean eighth, notching his 21st hold.
- Didier Fuentes walked one and struck out three in the seventh, securing his 11th hold.
Hierarchy Remains: Raisel Iglesias | Didier Fuentes | Dylan Lee
Miami Marlins – Capping his team’s come-from-behind win, Pete Fairbanks preserved a two-run lead at the top of the ninth, retiring the Phillies’ 8-9-1 hitters in order, striking out one for his 15th save. He threw 13 pitches (10 strikes – 76.9% Strike Rate) and induced one whiff. This marks three consecutive scoreless appearances, with a save in his last two.
- Tyler Zuber collected his first win, firing a clean eighth, striking out two.
- Dax Fulton logged two scoreless innings, issuing two walks and striking out one.
Hierarchy Remains: Pete Fairbanks | Michael Petersen | Calvin Faucher
New York Mets – (Game 1) – Devin Williams notched his 15th save, working around Mauricio Dubón’s two-out single with a game-ending strikeout of Austin Riley, preserving a one-run lead. He threw 18 pitches (66.7% Strike Rate) and produced three whiffs (16.7 SwStr%). It’s a small sample, but he’s been scoreless in his first four outings in the second half, converting both save chances with five strikeouts and no walks.
- Luke Weaver gave up a hit and struck out one in a scoreless top of the eighth, securing his 15th hold.
- Huascar Brazobán retired the side in the seventh and earned his fifth win when his teammates took the lead at the bottom of the inning.
Hierarchy Remains: Devin Williams | Luke Weaver | Brooks Raley
San Diego Padres – Slamming the door on his 28th save, Mason Miller fired a clean top of the ninth, striking out two against Colorado, sealing a two-run lead. He threw 15 pitches (11 strikes – 73.3% Strike Rate) and generated five whiffs (33.3 SwStr%). This extends his scoreless streak to 10 games, during which he’s posted a 0.60 WHIP with 19 strikeouts and two walks (47.2 K-BB%) across 10 innings, recording a win and seven saves.
- Jeremiah Estrada returned from the injured list with a scoreless eighth, issuing a walk and striking out three for his seventh hold.
- Bradgely Rodriguez let one of two inherited runners score, yielding a hit and striking out one in two-thirds of the seventh.
- Wandy Peralta was credited with his fourth hold despite allowing two hits and an earned run, striking out one, only retiring two of four batters faced.
- Griffin Canning collected his second win as the bulk follower, tossing three scoreless innings, giving up a hit and striking out four.
Updated Hierarchy: Mason Miller | Adrian Morejon | Jeremiah Estrada
Quick Hits
- Chicago Cubs: Handed a 2-0 lead at the bottom of the tenth, Trent Thornton allowed Lars Nootbar’s leadoff single, walked JJ Wetherholt, let the “courtesy runner” score on a fielder’s choice groundout, then gave up a walk-off, two-RBI double by Iván Herrera, resulting in his fourth loss and first blown save.
- St. Louis Cardinals: Despite allowing Pete Crow-Armstrong’s go-ahead home run at the top of the tenth, Luis Gastelum collected his second win on a walk-off rally at the bottom of the inning. He allowed two hits and two runs (one earned) in his outing. Riley O’Brien made his first appearance in a week, working a scoreless top of the ninth, walking and striking out one on 18 pitches (55.6% Strike Rate) with four whiffs (22.2 SwStr%).
Holds Tally
Here are the holds from Wednesday’s slate:
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Statistical Credits: