Saturday’s slate featured seven wins (one was accompanied by a blown save), eight saves, six losses, and two blown saves by relievers. Here are the saves in condensed form:
There have been 859 saves this season by 215 different pitchers. For perspective, this season has already matched last year for the number of pitchers with at least one save with two months remaining and before the trade deadline.
Here are the vulture save options:
Vulture Save Option for 8.2.2026
- Adrian Morejon (SD): Miller worked 1.2 innings and threw 30 pitches.
- Steven Cruz (KC): Targeting Coors Field is risky, but if the Royals have a lead in the ninth, it’s trending toward Cruz getting the save chance.
- Aaron Ashby (MIL): Megill and Uribe have pitched in back-to-back games, and Patrick logged two innings last night.
Vulture Save Stash for 8.3.2026
- Mason Montgomery (PIT): If Soto pitches today, it will be consecutive appearances.
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Our updated Trade Deadline Market Trends with notes on relievers before gameplay on July 30.
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Nailing down his MLB-leading 31st save, Bryan Baker fired a clean top of the ninth, striking out one, preserving a 1-0 win over the White Sox. He threw six pitches, all strikes, and induced one whiff (16.7 SwStr%). He has been scoreless in his last 12 appearances, converting 11 saves while posting a 0.75 WHIP with 11 strikeouts and four walks (15.9 K-BB%) over 12 innings.
- Garrett Cleavinger notched his 20th hold, striking out his only batter in the eighth.
- Kevin Kelly stranded a runner in the seventh and retired all three batters faced, two via strikeout, securing his 22nd hold.
- Cam Booser gave up a hit and struck out two during two-thirds of the seventh, recording his sixth hold.
Hierarchy Remains: Bryan Baker | Kevin Kelly | Garrett Cleavinger
Three Takeaways
Chaos in Cleveland for Arizona: Capping a crazy contest in Cleveland, Jonathan Loáisiga allowed Kyle Manzardo’s leadoff double, an earned run on a groundout, Travis Bazzana’s two-out double, and induced a game-ending groundout in a non-save outing. Kevin Ginkel let all three inherited runners score, giving up a hit and a walk during the bottom of the eighth. Paul Sewald gave up five hits and eventually five earned runs without recording an out in the eighth. Juan Morillo fired a clean seventh, striking out one. He warmed up when the game was tied 2-2. Gerardo Carrillo collected his second win, yielding a hit and striking out three across two scoreless innings.
Fantasy managers may drop Sewald in all formats. The usage pattern in this contest was frustrating, but Morillo and Brandyn Garcia are the best options for saves in this leverage ladder. Torey Lovullo should realize this soon. Last but not least, Justin Martinez was hitting triple digits in a camp game in Arizona and will begin his minor league rehab assignment this week.
Hierarchy Remains: *Brandyn Garcia | *Juan Morillo | *Jonathan Loáisiga
*= closer-by-committee
Moving on from Lange: During an eventual loss, Lucas Erceg allowed four hits, three earned runs, and a walk while striking out one in the bottom of the eighth. Alex Lange logged two innings, giving up two hits, including a solo home run by Hunter Goodman, and a walk while striking out three. He threw 34 pitches (23 strikes – 67.6% Strike Rate) and induced four whiffs (11.8 SwStr%). A multi-inning outing with his team trailing by four does not feel like a closer.
Updated Hierarchy: Steven Cruz | Daniel Lynch IV | John Schreiber
Finnegan’s struggles continue: Handed a three-run lead, Kenley Jansen allowed Tyler Soderstrom’s leadoff double, recorded two strikeouts, and gave up an earned run on Jeff McNeil’s two-out bunt against the shift before a game-ending flyout for his 13th save. He threw 20 pitches (65% Strike Rate) and produced two whiffs. This snapped his nine-game scoreless streak, but he has converted both save chances since the All-Star break. Jacob Waguespack stranded a runner despite giving up a hit and struck out one during two-thirds of the eighth, securing his second hold. Kyle Finnegan gave up three hits, three earned runs, and a walk in one-third of the eighth. He has given up at least a run in three straight appearances and in four of his last six.
Updated Hierarchy: Kenley Jansen | Drew Anderson | Jacob Waguespack
Here are the remaining leverage events of interest from Saturday.
American League
Boston Red Sox – Presented a one-run lead at the bottom of the ninth, Aroldis Chapman retired the Dodgers’ 7-8-9 hitters in order and struck out one, recording his 27th save. He threw 11 pitches (81.8% Strike Rate) and produced two whiffs (18.2 SwStr%). This extended his scoreless streak to 11 games, during which he’s posted a 1.00 WHIP with 15 strikeouts and five walks (22.7 K-BB%) in 11 innings.
- Tyron Guerrero notched his 12th hold, giving up a hit in a scoreless bottom of the eighth.
- Justin Slaten fired a clean seventh, striking out one, and collected his second win.
Hierarchy Remains: Aroldis Chapman | Garrett Whitlock | Justin Slaten
Houston Astros – Shutting the door on his 15th save, Josh Hader fired a clean top of the ninth and recorded a strikeout, sealing a one-run lead against Texas. He threw 10 pitches (60% Strike Rate) and produced two whiffs. This extends his scoreless streak to six games, during which he owns a 0.529 WHIP with six strikeouts and two walks (20 K-BB%) across 5.2 innings.
- Bryan Abreu notched his seventh hold, retiring the side and striking out one in the eighth.
- Steven Okert collected his fifth win, logging 1.1 scoreless innings, yielding a hit and striking out one.
- Enyel De Los Santos allowed a solo home run and struck out one during two-thirds of the sixth, and was credited with his ninth hold.
Hierarchy Remains: Josh Hader | Bryan Abreu | Steven Okert
Seattle Mariners – Logging his first multi-inning outing since May 17, 2025, Andrés Muñoz stranded two runners at the top of the eighth and navigated around Brooks Lee’s leadoff single in the ninth, collecting his fourth win after 1.1 scoreless innings. He threw 19 pitches (12 strikes – 63.2% Strike Rate) and produced two whiffs (10.5 SwStr%) while striking out two, benefiting from his team’s walkoff in the ninth. He has been scoreless in 14 of his last 15 outings, posting a 0.848 WHIP with 24 strikeouts against five walks (33.3 K-BB%) across 15.1 innings, converting 10 saves.
- Gabe Speier allowed a hit and a walk with one strikeout during two-thirds of the eighth.
Hierarchy Remains: Andrés Muñoz | Eduard Bazardo | Gabe Speier
Quick Hits
- Chicago White Sox: Deployed as the bulk follower, Noah Schultz was the tough-luck loser, allowing three hits and one earned run while striking out four across five innings, suffering his eighth loss.
- Cleveland Guardians: Entering a tied game at the top of the seventh, Hunter Gaddis gave up two hits, resulting in four earned runs, a hit batter, and a walk, suffering his third loss during two-thirds of an inning. Franco Aleman replaced him, letting both inherited runners score, giving up two hits and three earned runs during his one-third of the seventh.
- Los Angeles Angels: Although he retired his first four batters on strikeouts, Samy Natera Jr. suffered his first loss, allowing two hits, including a go-ahead RBI single by Brice Turang during his two innings.
- Minnesota Twins: Appearing for a third straight day, Andrew Morris suffered his third loss, giving up Randy Arozarena’s leadoff double, inducing a flyout that moved him to third, intentionally walking Julio Rodríguez, then allowing the game-winning run on a fielder’s choice groundout. The Twins used five different relievers for 2.2 scoreless innings, but it left the bullpen thin with the game tied in the ninth.
- Toronto Blue Jays: Finishing off a four-run lead against the Cardinals’ top of the lineup, Tyler Rogers retired the side on 12 pitches (75% Strike Rate). Jeff Hoffman worked around a hit and a walk while striking out one in a scoreless eighth.
National League
Chicago Cubs – Sealing a three-run lead and his third save of the season, first since April 21, Caleb Thielbar worked around Spencer Jones’ leadoff single with a double-play groundout and a game-ending groundout. He threw 13 pitches (9 strikes – 69.2% Strike Rate) and induced one whiff.
- Jacob Webb notched his eighth hold, allowing Amed Rosario’s single in the eighth and striking out one, facing the Yankees’ 3-4-5 hitters and Ben Rice as a pinch hitter.
- Trent Thornton allowed a hit and two walks during two-thirds scoreless in the seventh, collecting his fourth win courtesy of a rally at the bottom of the inning.
Hierarchy Remains: *Jacob Webb | *Trent Thornton | *Caleb Thielbar
*= closer-by-committee
Miami Marlins – Closing out a four-run lead while tossing three scoreless innings, Lake Bachar earned his second save, yielding a hit and striking out two against the Mets. He threw 35 pitches (26 strikes – 74.3% Strike Rate) and produced two whiffs. He has worked multiple innings in 22 of his 39 appearances this season and provided his teammates with much-needed rest in the bullpen.
Hierarchy Remains: Pete Fairbanks | Michael Petersen | Calvin Faucher
Milwaukee Brewers – Locking down his 18th save, Trevor Megill retired the Angels’ 5-6-7 hitters on three consecutive groundouts, sealing a two-run lead. He only needed six pitches (83.3% Strike Rate) and induced one whiff. He has converted his last 10 save opportunities, recording a 0.612 WHIP with 16 strikeouts and three walks (22 K-BB%) through 16.1 innings.
- Abner Uribe fired a clean bottom of the eighth, striking out two for his 16th hold.
- Chad Patrick earned his sixth win, logging two scoreless innings, yielding a hit and striking out five.
Hierarchy Remains: Trevor Megill | Abner Uribe | Aaron Ashby
Pittsburgh Pirates – Locking down his 14th save, Gregory Soto retired the side and recorded a strikeout at the bottom of the ninth, facing the Reds’ 4-5-6 batters. He threw 11 pitches (81.8% Strike Rate) and produced three whiffs (27.3 SwStr%) in an efficient outing. He had allowed a run in his previous two appearances, and this marks his second save of the second half.
- Carmen Mlodzinski logged three scoreless innings, yielding a hit and a walk while striking out four, securing his third hold.
Hierarchy Remains: *Gregory Soto | *Mason Montgomery | Carmen Mlodzinski
*= closer-by-committee
San Diego Padres – Called upon with the bases loaded and one out at the top of the eighth, Mason Miller recorded a strikeout, allowed a game-tying two-RBI double by Osleivis Basabe, and induced an inning-ending groundout, suffering his first blown save. Returning for the ninth, he struck out consecutive batters, walked Rafael Devers, and retired Willy Adames via pop-out, turning in 1.2 scoreless innings. Miller collected his fourth win courtesy of a walk-off rally at the bottom of the inning. He threw 30 pitches (18 strikes – 60% Strike Rate) and generated seven whiffs (23.3 SwStr%) while striking out three. He returned for the ninth, but monitor this note after the game:
- Jeremiah Estrada gave up two hits, two earned runs, and a walk while striking out one, credited with his eighth hold during one-third of the eighth.
- Adrian Morejon notched his 17th hold, retiring all four batters, three via strikeout.
Hierarchy Remains: Mason Miller | Adrian Morejon | Jeremiah Estrada
Quick Hits
- Philadelphia Phillies: Preserving a combined shutout, Jhoan Duran retired the side on 13 pitches (69.2% Strike Rate) without a whiff while facing the Orioles’ 6-7-8 batters. He has not recorded a save since July 11. José Alvarado tossed a clean eighth. Jonathan Bowlan notched his seventh hold, giving up a hit and striking out three in the seventh.
- San Francisco Giants: Entering a tied game at the bottom of the ninth, Dylan Smith gave up Xander Bogaerts’ leadoff double and Jake Cronenworth’s two-out walk-off RBI single, resulting in his third loss. Caleb Kilian tossed a scoreless eighth, giving up a hit and striking out two.
Holds Tally
Here are the holds from Saturday’s slate:
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Statistical Credits: