Friday’s slate featured six wins, ten saves, four losses, and three blown saves by relievers. Here are the saves in condensed form:
There have been 955 saves this season by 233 different pitchers. For perspective, this season has already set an MLB record for the number of pitchers with at least one save.
Here are the vulture save options:
Vulture Save Options for 8.15.2026
- Alex Vesia (LAD): Díaz and Scott have appeared in consecutive contests.
- Jose A. Ferrer (SEA): Muñoz and Bazardo have worked in back-to-back games.
- Hagen Smith (CHW): Taylor threw 19 pitches across 1.2 innings last night.
Vulture Save Stash for 8.16.2026
- Tanner Scott (LAD): Dave Roberts said Díaz will not pitch in the next two days to work on his mechanics, putting Scott in line for the opportunity on Sunday.
- Kevin Ginkel (ARI): If Garcia and Morillo pitch today, it will be consecutive appearances.
- Trent Thornton (CHC): If Webb, Zeferjahn, and Rolison are used today, it’s back-to-back games for the Cubs’ high-leverage triumvirate.
- Brock Burke (CIN): If Pagán pitches today, it will be two straight games for the closer.
- Tyler Rogers (TOR): If Varland gets used today, it will be back-to-back games and three in the previous four.
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Handed a two-run lead at the bottom of the tenth, things unraveled with two outs for Andrés Muñoz. He let the “courtesy runner” score on Isaac Paredes’ one-out single, but recorded a strikeout of Taylor Trammell and, with two strikes on Jose Altuve, he flicked an opposite-field single, extending the inning, followed by Daulton Varsho’s game-tying RBI single and a walk-off, three-run tank by Christian Walker. Muñoz suffered his fifth loss and a seventh blown save, allowing four hits and five runs (four earned) in two-thirds of an inning.
- Eduard Bazardo was in line for the win after retiring all six batters, striking out two across the eighth and ninth innings.
- Gabe Speier worked a clean seventh, striking out one.
Only Kyle Finnegan (8) has more blown saves than Muñoz this season. It’s perplexing because the closer has the second-best K-BB percentage (28.2) in his career. On the other end of the spectrum, only Mason Miller (37.8%) and Jhoan Duran (31.1%) have posted a better one at this point of the season. In last night’s blown save, Muñoz was in two strike counts against Altuve and Varsho, but could not put them away. First, his illustrator:
And his results:
Both hits were on sliders out of the strike zone. Paredes hit a four-seam fastball in it, as did Walker on a slider for the walk-off. Although Muñoz has an alluring 61.7 contact percentage, his contact in the strike zone is at a career-high 82.1 percent. This represents the chasm between his 2.28 SIERA and his 3.37 xERA. Positive migration should occur for him using either indicator, but this loss stings.
Hierarchy Remains: Andrés Muñoz | Eduard Bazardo | Gabe Speier
Today’s Takeaways
Bailing out Baltimore: Forced into action at the bottom of the ninth with a runner on and two outs, Cam Sanders intentionally walked Liam Hicks, then induced a game-ending flyout by Ryan Vilade for his second save on one pitch. Yennier Cano turned a four-run lead into a one-run margin, allowing three hits, three earned runs, and a walk while striking out one across two-thirds of the ninth inning, snapping his eight-game scoreless streak. Rico Garcia walked one during a scoreless eighth. Andrew Kittredge gave up a hit and struck out one in a scoreless seventh, securing his eighth hold. Josh Walker was awarded his first win, stranding a runner in the sixth while retiring both batters faced, one via strikeout.
Hierarchy Remains: * Andrew Kittredge | *Yennier Cano | Rico Garcia
*= closer-by-committee
Hierarchy tweak for the Jolly Roger: Taking over with a four-run lead, two runners on, and two outs, Mason Montgomery entered against Adley Rutschman, striking him out on six pitches (50% Strike Rate) with one whiff for his fourth save. It’s his second save this month and extended his scoreless streak to six games, during which he owns a 0.60 WHIP with 11 strikeouts and two walks (both intentional) over five innings. Kirby Yates created the chaos in the ninth, allowing three hits and an earned run while striking out one in his two-thirds of an inning. Luke Weaver fired a clean eighth, striking out one against Boston’s 4-5-6 hitters. He threw 11 pitches (81.8% Strike Rate) and generated four whiffs (36.4 SwStr%).
Before making any assumptions about roles in this bullpen, Montgomery was warming up in the seventh when Doval ran into trouble. He is more likely the team’s “fireman” than the closer despite recording the team’s first save since the trade deadline in this contest. He and Weaver may share saves based on matchups, necessitating:
Updated Hierarchy: *Luke Weaver | *Mason Montgomery | Gregory Soto
*= closer-by-committee
It wasn’t pretty: Sounding the trumpets signaled another white-knuckle ride with Edwin Díaz. Taking over with a two-run lead, he hit Andrew Vaughn with a pitch, struck out Christian Yelich, walked William Contreras, recorded a groundout, then walked the bases loaded before inducing a game-ending groundout by Joey Ortiz, hanging on for his seventh save. He only threw 11 of 26 pitches (42.3% Strike Rate) and produced one whiff. From his manager:
He is working on his release point to improve the command and effectiveness of his four-seam fastball:
Tanner Scott allowed Jackson Chourio’s one-out single and recorded two strikeouts in a scoreless eighth for his 12th hold. Evan Phillips retired the side in the seventh, securing his third hold.
Hierarchy Remains: Edwin Díaz | Tanner Scott | Alex Vesia
Here are the remaining leverage events of interest from Friday.
American League
Chicago White Sox – Finishing off a four-run lead in Detroit, Bryan Hudson allowed a hit and recorded two strikeouts in a scoreless outing.
- Grant Taylor logged 1.2 scoreless innings, yielding a hit and posting his ninth hold. He threw 18 pitches (66.7% Strike Rate) without a whiff.
- Huascar Brazobán gave up three hits and two runs across 1.1 innings.
- José Urquidy collected his first win, giving up five hits and three earned runs while striking out three over 3.2 innings as the bulk follower.
Hierarchy Remains: *Grant Taylor | *Huascar Brazobán | Bryan Hudson
*= closer-by-committee
Houston Astros – Although he allowed two runs (one earned) at the top of the tenth, Enyel De Los Santos collected his second win on a walk-off rally at the bottom of the inning.
- Josh Hader worked around two hits and recorded two strikeouts in a scoreless ninth, throwing 23 pitches (18 strikes – 78.3% Strike Rate) with four whiffs (17.4 SwStr%).
- Bryan Abreu gave up two hits, two earned runs, and two walks, resulting in his first blown save at the top of the eighth.
- Steven Okert tossed a scoreless seventh, yielding a hit and striking out one, securing his 17th hold.
- Bennett Sousa was credited with his fifth hold, giving up two hits and an earned run while striking out two in the sixth.
Hierarchy Remains: Josh Hader | Bryan Abreu | Steven Okert
Kansas City Royals – Protecting a one-run lead, Steven Cruz took over at the bottom of the ninth against the Angels’ 8-9-1 pocket and worked around Jose Siri’s one-out single with a groundout, followed by a game-ending strikeout of Mike Trout, securing his fourth save. He threw 12 pitches (91.7% Strike Rate) without a whiff. It’s his first save since August 5, and he has been scoreless in four of six appearances in August, recording 0.948 WHIP with five strikeouts and one walk (15.4 K-BB%) in 6.1 innings.
- Nate Pearson fired a clean eighth, striking out two for his first hold.
- John Schreiber tossed a clean seventh, notching his 11th hold.
- Alex Lange allowed two hits, including Josh Lowe’s solo home run, and struck out two, but was awarded his second win.
Hierarchy Remains: *Nate Pearson | *Steven Cruz | John Schreiber
*= closer-by-committee
The Athletics – Wrapping up a five-run victory, Hogan Harris tossed a scoreless top of the ninth, navigating around a fielding error with three groundouts on 27 pitches (66.7% Strike Rate) without a whiff.
- Elvis Alvarado stranded a runner and walked one with a strikeout during two-thirds of the eighth, securing his sixth hold.
- Drew Rom retired a batter in the seventh and the eighth inning, yielding a hit and striking out one for his first hold.
- Luis Medina logged 1.1 scoreless innings, walking one and striking out two while collecting his third win.
Hierarchy Remains: Hogan Harris | Luis Medina | Elvis Alvarado
Toronto Blue Jays – An efficient top of the ninth for Louis Varland resulted in his 27th save. He preserved a two-run lead, retiring the side on four pitches while facing the Yankees’ 3-4-5 pocket without a whiff. He has been scoreless in his last three appearances, securing a save in each.
- Mason Fluharty notched his 13th hold, retiring both batters in the eighth.
- Tyler Rogers gave up a hit during 1.1 scoreless innings for his 25th hold.
Hierarchy Remains: Louis Varland | Tyler Rogers | Braydon Fisher
Quick Hits
- Los Angeles Angels: Entering with a one-run lead at the top of the seventh, Tayler Saucedo gave up consecutive singles by Bobby Witt Jr. and Jac Caglianone, scoring the game-tying run, then was removed. Luke Murphy let his only inherited runner score on Michael Massey’s RBI single, resulting in two earned runs for Saucedo and his first loss along with his second blown save.
- Tampa Bay Rays: With a tied score at the top of the seventh, Garrett Cleavinger allowed two hits, resulting in two earned runs and a walk en route to his fourth loss during his one-third of an inning. Kevin Kelly let two of three inherited runners score on Dylan Beavers’ go-ahead two-RBI single in his two-thirds of the seventh.
- Texas Rangers: Tasked with the bottom of the sixth in a tied contest, Chase Silseth gave up Jeff McNeil’s go-ahead solo home run and was charged with his third loss.
National League
Arizona Diamondbacks – Completing a combined shutout in Atlanta, Brandyn Garcia fired a clean bottom of the ninth against the top of the lineup, locking down his fourth save. He threw 11 pitches (72.7% Strike Rate) and produced two whiffs (18.2 SwStr%) while recording two strikeouts. He has been scoreless in seven of his last eight games, converting three saves and a hold while posting a 0.546 WHIP with seven strikeouts and one walk (24 K-BB%) across 7.1 innings.
- Juan Morillo notched his 16th hold, yielding a hit and striking out two in the eighth.
Hierarchy Remains: *Brandyn Garcia | *Kevin Ginkel | Juan Morillo
*= closer-by-committee
Chicago Cubs – Sealing a combined shutout and his ninth save, Jacob Webb navigated around Iván Herrera’s leadoff single with a groundout, a strikeout, and a game-ending lineout. He threw 13 pitches (11 strikes – 84.6% Strike Rate) and produced two whiffs (15.4 SwStr%). Webb’s scoreless streak has reached 21 games, during which he has three wins, seven saves, and three holds with a 0.877 WHIP across 21.2 innings.
- Ryan Zeferjahn notched his 12th hold, working around a hit and a walk while striking out two.
- Entering with a runner on and two outs, Ryan Rolison stranded an inherited runner, retiring Nathan Church for his fifth hold.
Hierarchy Remains: Jacob Webb | Ryan Zeferjahn | Ryan Rolison
Cincinnati Reds – Shutting the door on his 15th save and preserving a 1-0 shutout, Emilio Pagán retired the top of the Marlins’ order on 11 pitches (72.7% Strike Rate) without a whiff. He extended his scoreless streak to 10 games, during which he’s posted a 0.40 WHIP with 11 strikeouts and zero walks (31.4 K-BB%) over 10 innings. This marked the Reds’ 20th win in 32 1-run games (.625 winning percentage).
- Brock Burke fired a clean eighth, striking out the side while securing his 14th hold.
Hierarchy Remains: Emilio Pagán | Brock Burke | Tejay Antone
New York Mets – Working around Jacob Young’s two-out single and hitting CJ Abrams with a pitch, Kodai Senga bore down, recording a game-ending strikeout of Abimelec Ortiz for his second save, sealing a two-run lead. He threw 14 pitches (9 strikes – 64.3% Strike Rate) and induced one whiff. Through four relief outings in August, he has been scoreless, converting both saves while posting a 0.75 WHIP with five strikeouts and two walks. If you are interested, he entered to Michael Jackson’s “Beat It.”
- Daniel Duarte notched his second hold, firing a clean eighth and striking out one.
- Jonathan Pinataro collected his first career win, logging two scoreless innings, giving up a hit and a walk while striking out two.
Hierarchy Remains: Kodai Senga | Daniel Duarte | Nate Lavender
San Diego Padres – Preserving a two-run lead in Cleveland, Bradgley Rodriguez navigated around Brayan Rocchio’s leadoff double with a groundout, followed by consecutive strikeouts, securing his first career save. He threw 18 pitches (66.7% Strike Rate) and produced three whiffs (16.7 SwStr%).
- Jeremiah Estrada gave up a hit and an earned run while striking out two in the eighth for his 11th hold.
- Yuki Matsui notched his seventh hold, issuing a walk during a scoreless bottom of the seventh.
Hierarchy Remains: Mason Miller | Adrian Morejon | Jeremiah Estrada
Quick Hits
- Atlanta Braves: During a shutout loss, Didier Fuentes tossed a scoreless top of the seventh, allowing a hit and striking out one on 17 pitches (13 strikes – 76.5% Strike Rate) with two whiffs. He has been scoreless in seven of his last eight appearances, racking up 16 strikeouts versus two walks (42.4 K-BB%) over 9.1 innings.
- St. Louis Cardinals: Summoned with two runners on and one out during a scoreless tie, George Soriano gave up Seiya Suzuki’s go-ahead three-run home run, scoring both inherited runners and putting an earned run on his ledger. He finished with two hits and a walk during his two-thirds of the sixth. He has allowed at least a run in two of his last three and in three of his last five.
Roster Notes
Arizona Diamondbacks – Justin Martinez has left his Triple-A rehab stint and may be on the verge of activation:
Milwaukee Brewers – Before Friday’s game, Abner Uribe was placed on the 15-day injured list:
Holds Tally
Here are the holds from Friday’s slate:
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Statistical Credits: