Saturday’s slate featured five wins (though one was accompanied by a blown save), six saves, seven losses, and three blown saves by relievers. Here are the saves in condensed form:
There have been 961 saves this season by 234 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 8.16.2026
- Tanner Scott (LAD): Díaz will be unavailable on Sunday while he works on his mechanics.
- Mason Montgomery (PIT): Weaver has worked in back-to-back games.
- Braydon Fisher (TOR): Varland and Rogers have worked in consecutive contests and in three of the previous four.
- Samy Natera Jr. (LAA): Joyce pitched last night and has not been used in two straight games this season.
- Huascar Brazobán (CHW): Taylor and Hudson have pitched in back-to-back games.
Vulture Save Stash for 8.17.2026
- Kevin Kelly (TB): If Baker pitches today, it will be back-to-back games.
- Justin Slaten (BOS): If Chapman pitches today, it’s consecutive appearances.
Doubleheader Recommendations for Monday
- Cincinnati Reds: Preferred option – Julian Garcia
- St. Louis Cardinals: Preferred option – Gordon Graceffo
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Locking down his second save, Ben Joyce preserved a combined shutout, firing a clean top of the ninth against two left-handed pinch hitters and Nick Loftin. He threw 13 pitches (10 strikes – 76.9% Strike Rate) and produced two whiffs (15.4 SwStr%) while recording two strikeouts.
He was at or above 100 miles per hour with eight of his pitches and has been scoreless in five appearances this season, posting a 0.40 WHIP with six strikeouts and one walk (31.3 K-BB%) in five innings.
Although the Angels will continue to manage Joyce’s workload, this outing provides hope for a more concrete role during save situations for the remainder of the season. In this post by Jeff Fletcher for The Orange County Register, back-to-back outings may not happen in 2026:
However, if he’s reserved for save opportunities, it enhances his fantasy status for the remainder of the season.
Adjusted Hierarchy: *Ben Joyce | *Samy Natera Jr. | José Fermin
*= closer-by-committee
Today’s Takeaways
Cashed in his clause: Despite not getting a save chance when his team extended its lead, Aroldis Chapman hit a different benchmark, triggering his 2027 option after firing a clean bottom of the ninth, completing a combined shutout in Pittsburgh. He threw 15 pitches (66.7% Strike Rate) without a whiff, recording two strikeouts. With this outing, he has surpassed 40 innings and guaranteed his contract with the Red Sox next season. This was posted on MassLive by Chris Cotillo before his outing last night:
Through 42 games, he has converted 27 of 29 save chances with a 1.205 WHIP and 52 strikeouts against 18 walks.
Updated Hierarchy: Aroldis Chapman | Justin Slaten | Erik Miller
Weaver on a shelf: Appearing with his team trailing 1-0 at the top of the ninth, Luke Weaver had a rough outing, allowing four hits, three earned runs, and recording two strikeouts while facing Boston, snapping his six-game scoreless streak. Since being acquired, he has not been used in a save situation. In his two previous games, he allowed a hit and a walk while striking out one across two scoreless innings. It’s not the level of production fantasy managers anticipated when they stashed him before the trade deadline.
Don Kelly has been patient with his relievers throughout the season, but with six weeks remaining, it’s moving season for fantasy managers. A dead spot in the lineup can be a drain. With tough series on tap for the next two weeks, some tough decisions will be made.
For now:
Hierarchy: *Luke Weaver | *Mason Montgomery | Gregory Soto
*= closer-by-committee
More work for the Durantula: In this column by Scott Lauber of the Philadelphia Inquirer, Don Mattingly suggested Jhoan Duran may get some multiple-inning save chances as the season progresses:
In his rookie season, Duran logged 14 outings requiring more than three outs, but he has not this season and has done so five times since 2024. Hang on; things continue changing as teams become more desperate for wins.
Hierarchy Remains: Jhoan Duran | Jonathan Bowlan | Orion Kerkering
Here are the remaining leverage events of interest from Saturday.
American League
Baltimore Orioles – Presented a one-run lead at the bottom of the tenth, Cam Sanders worked around Jonny DeLuca’s one-out walk with consecutive strikeouts, securing his third save. He threw 20 pitches (60% Strike Rate) and produced five whiffs (20 SwStr%). He has been scoreless in three of four appearances since being recalled, and this marked his second save in as many days.
- Andrew Kittredge allowed three hits, including an RBI infield single by Junior Caminero, resulting in his fourth blown save, but he also collected his second win courtesy of the rally in the tenth.
- Rico Garcia retired the side in the eighth for his 15th hold.
- Josh Walker stranded a runner and recorded one out in the seventh for his second hold.
- Alex Hoppe yielded a hit during his two-thirds of the seventh and was credited with his third hold.
Since switching organizations, Sanders has posted a 1.105 WHIP with six strikeouts and two walks (15.4 K-BB%) over 6.1 innings with the Orioles. With saves in consecutive games, is he carving out a leverage role, or were these just circumstantial because he was the best option remaining at the time?
Hierarchy Remains: * Andrew Kittredge | *Yennier Cano | Rico Garcia
*= closer-by-committee
Texas Rangers – Snapping his team’s four-game losing streak and securing a two-run lead, Jacob Latz logged two scoreless innings, walking one and striking out two for his 24th save. He threw 36 pitches (23 strikes – 63.9% Strike Rate) and produced five whiffs (13.9 SwStr%). This marked his seventh two-inning save this season, tying a team record set by Dale Mohorcic in 1987 and is the most in a season since Josh Hader recorded nine two-inning saves in 2019. He has been scoreless in his last three appearances, with two two-inning saves this month.
- Jakob Junis returned from the injured list for a clean bottom of the seventh, notching his 15th hold.
- Chase Silseth stranded a runner and retired his only batter in the sixth for his 11th hold.
Updated Hierarchy: Jacob Latz | Jakob Junis | Chase Silseth
Toronto Blue Jays – Shutting the door on his 28th save, Louis Varland fired a clean top of the ninth, striking out the side while facing the Yankees’ 2-3-4 pocket. He threw 13 pitches (9 strikes – 69.2% Strike Rate) and racked up six whiffs (46.2 SwStr%). He has been scoreless in his last four appearances, recording a save in each.
- Tyler Rogers notched his American League-leading 26th hold, giving up a hit and striking out one in a scoreless top of the eighth.
- Spencer Miles collected his fifth win, yielding a hit and striking out one in a scoreless seventh.
Hierarchy Remains: Louis Varland | Tyler Rogers | Braydon Fisher
Quick Hits
- Detroit Tigers: As the first reliever in, Drew Sommers stranded a runner in the fifth, but gave up two hits and an earned run, walking and striking out one over his two innings, resulting in his third loss. Kyle Finnegan stranded two inherited runners while retiring all five batters, one via strikeout.
- New York Yankees: After stranding two inherited runners at the bottom of the sixth of a tied contest, Brent Headrick returned for the seventh and allowed Ernie Clement’s leadoff single, followed by Charles McAdoo’s RBI double, a bunt single, then a sacrifice bunt, putting two runners on with one out, prompting his removal. Paul Blackburn issued an intentional walk, then retired the next two hitters. However, Headrick was charged with his second loss, finishing with three hits and an earned run during his inning of work.
- Tampa Bay Rays: Tasked with the top of the tenth, Bryan Baker allowed Tyler O’Neill’s RBI single leading off the inning, followed by Pete Alonso’s single, then recorded an out on a sacrifice bunt, a strikeout, issued an intentional walk (Gunnar Henderson), and produced an inning-ending strikeout. However, the unearned run was enough, handing him his first loss of the season while giving up multiple hits for the first time since May 16.
National League
Cincinnati Reds – Working around two hits, Luis Mey recorded two strikeouts in a scoreless top of the seventh, securing his second hold. He has been scoreless in his last four outings, during which he’s posted a 0.60 WHIP with 12 strikeouts and no walks (52.2 K-BB%) across his last 6.2 innings.
- Tejay Antone hit two batters and allowed a hit, resulting in three earned runs, his first loss, and a third blown save during one-third of the eighth.
- Sam Moll let both inherited runners score, giving up two hits, an earned run, and a walk in his one-third of the eighth.
- Pierce Johnson stranded two runners, retiring his only batter in the eighth.
It may not affect those in saves leagues, but Mey could replace Antone in the hierarchy soon.
Hierarchy Remains: Emilio Pagán | Brock Burke | Tejay Antone
Miami Marlins – Although he warmed up for a potential save chance, his teammates tacked on a run at the top of the ninth, extending the lead to four runs, but Pete Fairbanks closed out the eventual victory, striking out the side against the Reds’ bottom third of the lineup. He threw 13 pitches (69.2% Strike Rate) and generated six whiffs (46.2 SwStr%), extending his scoreless streak to eight games.
- Michael Petersen notched his 20th hold, retiring the side and striking out one in the eighth.
- Tyler Zuber was awarded his second win, navigating around two hits and striking out one in a scoreless seventh, ahead of his team’s four-run rally at the top of the eighth.
- Calvin Faucher logged 1.1 scoreless innings, striking out two.
Hierarchy Remains: Pete Fairbanks | Michael Petersen | Calvin Faucher
Milwaukee Brewers – Riding the hot hand, Pat Murphy stayed with Aaron Ashby for a two-inning save, his first of the season. He issued one walk and recorded two strikeouts, throwing 31 pitches (20 strikes – 64.5% Strike Rate) with three whiffs. He has been scoreless through six games in August, recording a 1.043 WHIP with 14 strikeouts and three walks (33.3 K-BB%) over 7.2 innings.
- Antonio Senzatela notched his seventh hold, tossing a clean bottom of the seventh.
Hierarchy Remains: Trevor Megill | Abner Uribe | Aaron Ashby
Washington Nationals – Provided his first career save chance, Yovanny Cruz struggled at the bottom of the ninth against the Mets. He only retired one of five batters faced, striking out A.J. Ewing, but his outing began with a leadoff walk, followed by a single and an RBI double by Francisco Alvarez, and ended in his first loss and second blown save after Francisco Lindor’s walk-off hit. It was baptism by fire, and Cruz struggled with his command while leaving sliders in the strike zone, resulting in three hits, two earned runs, and a walk in one-third of an inning.
The Nationals have suffered an MLB-leading 32 blown saves through 125 games.
- Clayton Beeter survived two hits and a walk for a scoreless bottom of the eighth, and was credited with his sixth hold.
- Orlando Ribalta retired the side and struck out one in the seventh for his 11th hold.
- Tom Cosgrove gave up two hits, an earned run, and recorded a strikeout in the sixth for his third hold.
Hierarchy Remains: Clayton Beeter | Orlando Ribalta | Yovanny Cruz
Quick Hits
- New York Mets: It is said that he who jumps last has collected his first career major league win on a walk-off rally. With his team trailing by one, Jefry Yan logged 1.2 clean innings, striking out three of five batters faced on 22 pitches (14 strikes – 63.6% Strike Rate) with three whiffs, and benefited from his team’s ninth-inning heroics.
- San Diego Padres: During a bullpen game, Kyle Hart suffered his third loss, giving up a hit, an earned run, and a walk while striking out two at the bottom of the second in Cleveland as the first reliever out of the bullpen.
- San Francisco Giants: Wrapping up a six-run lead, Dylan Smith fired a clean top of the ninth against the Rockies and recorded a strikeout. Carson Seymour logged two scoreless innings, giving up a hit and striking out three.
- St. Louis Cardinals: Finishing off a four-run lead against the Cubs, Riley O’Brien retired the side on 14 pitches (8 strikes – 57.1% Strike Rate) with one whiff. This extends his scoreless streak to nine games, during which he owns a 0.67 WHIP with eight strikeouts and five walks across nine innings, converting all five save opportunities.
Holds Tally
Here are the holds from Saturday’s slate:
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Statistical Credits: