Thursday’s 7-game slate resulted in two wins, one save, zero losses, and no blown saves by relievers. Here is the save in condensed form:
There have been 1,045 saves this season by 239 different pitchers. For perspective, this season has already set an MLB record for the number of pitchers with at least one save. Is 250 within reach?
Here are the vulture save options:
Vulture Save Option for 8.28.2026
- Ryne Stanek (STL): O’Brien, Soriano, and Gastelum have all pitched in back-to-back games.
Vulture Save Stashes for 8.29.2026
- Bryan Abreu (HOU): If Hader pitches tonight, it’s two straight games and three in the last four.
Doubleheader Recommendations
- Arizona Diamondbacks – Preferred Option: Juan Morillo
- Boston Red Sox – Preferred Option: Greg Weissert
- New York Yankees – Preferred Option: Tim Hill
- San Francisco Giants – Preferred Option: Carson Seymour
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Securing his 34th save, Riley O’Brien allowed Colton Cowser’s two-out single while preserving a two-run lead over the Orioles. He threw 11 pitches (81.8% Strike Rate) and induced one whiff while recording one strikeout. Despite his recent hiccups, he remains the closer. His results over the last month of the season should be monitored closely, given recent underlying trends.
- George Soriano was credited with his 20th save, but allowed two hits and an earned run while striking out one in the eighth inning.
- Caleb Ferguson gave up two hits, three earned runs, and a walk with one strikeout in the seventh, creating the save opportunity.
Luis Gastelum was awarded his fourth win. He stranded an inherited runner in the fifth and retired all four batters faced, two via strikeout, throwing 18 pitches (66.7% Strike Rate) with four whiffs (22.2 SwStr%). He has been scoreless in eight of his last nine appearances, posting a 0.469 WHIP with 20 strikeouts and one walk (51.4 K-BB%) across 10.2 innings. Those playing in keeper or dynasty formats should monitor his September results. He should be in line for a larger leverage role soon.
Hierarchy Remains: Riley O’Brien | Ryne Stanek | George Soriano
Today’s Takeaways (Rehab Updates)
“The Mountain” has reached Triple-A: In Norfolk’s game on Thursday night, Félix Bautista retired the side and recorded a strikeout, throwing 10 pitches (70% Strike Rate):
And his illustrator:
There is no timeline for a return yet, and his leverage role should be limited, but it’s encouraging progress toward a 2027 return.
Baby steps for Suarez: In the latest update for Robert Suarez, he is throwing but a return may not be until late September, in time for a tuneup before the playoffs:
Is Whitlock’s return imminent? With a big series looming and a doubleheader on tap for Saturday in the Bronx, the Red Sox could receive a boost with the return of Garrett Whitlock:
Windows are closing for D-Will and Estévez: Clumping these two relievers together makes sense given the timelines. Carlos Estévez appeared in a rookie league contest last Saturday, but nothing more has been shared about his next step; he could return in mid-to-late September, but time is ticking.
As for the “Airbender,” this update on MLB.com does not sound encouraging:
An injection for Fairbanks: After leaving his outing early on Monday, Pete Fairbanks met with a specialist:
Another reliever with a chance at returning, but it may be a two-week window for fantasy players.
Restocking the Brewers leverage pond: Two relievers are nearing a return to Milwaukee. Abner Uribe logged a scoreless appearance at Single-A, throwing 18 pitches (11 strikes – 61.1% Strike Rate) while issuing a walk and striking out one on August 25. JoJo Romero has been working his way back and, once he clears the back-to-back appearance hurdle, will join the roster once the roster expands in September:
Here are the remaining leverage events of interest from Thursday.
American League
Houston Astros – Closing out a four-run lead in the Bronx, Josh Hader fired a clean bottom of the ninth and recorded two strikeouts while facing the 5-6-7 hitters. He threw eight pitches (87.5% Strike Rate) and generated three whiffs (37.5 SwStr%). His scoreless streak reached 16 games after this appearance, during which he’s posted a 0.412 WHIP with 18 strikeouts and three walks (25.9 K-BB%) across 17 innings, recording a win and converting all nine save chances.
- A.J. Blubaugh notched his eighth hold, issuing a walk and striking out three across the seventh and eighth innings.
- Steven Okert gave up a hit during a scoreless bottom of the sixth, securing his 19th hold.
Hierarchy Remains: Josh Hader | Bryan Abreu | Steven Okert
Quick Hits
- Baltimore Orioles: Appearing in an eventual loss, Cam Sanders tossed two scoreless innings in St. Louis, giving up a hit and a walk while striking out four. He threw 37 pitches (22 strikes – 59.5% Strike Rate) and produced three whiffs (8.1 SwStr%).
- Toronto Blue Jays: Amid an eventual 11-run loss, Braydon Fisher worked a scoreless top of the fifth, walking one and striking out two.
National League
San Francisco Giants – Protecting a five-run lead, Ryan Walker allowed consecutive singles leading off the top of the ninth, then bore down, recording a strikeout, a fielder’s choice grounder, and a game-ending groundout.
- Carson Seymour worked a scoreless top of the eighth, walking Gabriel Moreno with two outs and an inning-ending caught stealing, resulting in his fourth hold. He lined up against the top of Arizona’s lineup.
- Trent Harris tossed two clean innings and struck out two, securing his second hold.
If you are in a league with 12 teams or fewer, avoid this bullpen unless a reliever breaks away from the pack or usage patterns shift from their current fluidity.
Updated Hierarchy: *Carson Seymour | *Dylan Smith | *Ryan Walker
*= closer-by-committee
Washington Nationals – Closing out a six-run lead, Orlando Ribalta navigated around Willi Castro’s two-out single and a walk with a game-ending groundout.
- Clayton Beeter stranded two runners in the seventh and retired all four batters faced on 16 pitches (9 strikes – 56.3% Strike Rate) while recording his seventh hold.
- Erik Tolman gave up a hit and a walk while striking out one in two-thirds of the seventh for his first hold.
- Tom Cosgrove stranded two runners at the top of the fifth and collected his first win, tossing 1.2 scoreless innings, walking one and striking out two.
Washington as a team has not recorded a save since Beeter notched his 12th of the season on August 7. Mining saves from this bullpen may not be the best strategy in September.
Updated Hierarchy: *Orlando Ribalta | *Clayton Beeter | Tom Cosgrove
*= closer-by-committee
Quick Hits
- Arizona Diamondbacks: A rough outing in one-third of the eighth for Kevin Ginkel. He gave up four hits, four earned runs, and a walk. Jonathan Loáisiga retired the side and recorded one strikeout in the seventh.
- Los Angeles Dodgers: During a shutout loss, Edgardo Henriquez kept his team within one run, firing a clean bottom of the eighth, striking out the side against Atlanta’s 8-9-1 hitters. He threw 13 pitches (9 strikes – 69.2% Strike Rate) and generated five whiffs (38.5 SwStr%). Jack Dreyer stranded two inherited runners, inducing an inning-ending lineout double play.
- Milwaukee Brewers: Finishing off a six-run lead over the Mets, Chad Patrick worked around a one-out single by Luis Robert Jr. for a scoreless bottom of the ninth. DL Hall fired a clean eighth, striking out two on 12 pitches (75% Strike Rate) and producing three whiffs (25 SwStr%). He owns a modest four-game scoreless streak. Antonio Senzatela worked around a walk and recorded a strikeout at the bottom of the seventh.
Holds Tally
Here are the holds from Thursday’s slate:
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Statistical Credits: