Monday’s 12-game slate resulted in four wins, five saves, three losses, and three blown saves by relievers. Here are the saves in condensed form:
There have been 1,072 saves this season by 241 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 upcoming vulture save options:
Vulture Save Options for 9.1.2026
- Yennier Cano (BAL): Kittredge and Garcia have worked in three of the last four days.
- Brandyn Garcia (ARI): Morillo threw 33 pitches last night.
Vulture Save Stashes for 9.2.2026
- Jonathan Bowlan (PHI): If Duran pitches tonight, it will be back-to-back games and three in four days.
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Filling in capably for his closer at the top of the ninth, Bryan Abreu worked around a two-out walk with a game-ending strikeout, protecting a three-run lead against the White Sox. He threw 16 pitches (56.3% Strike Rate) and produced three whiffs (18.8 SwStr%), resulting in two strikeouts. He has been scoreless in seven of his last eight appearances and converted eight of nine save opportunities this season.
- Steven Okert allowed a hit and recorded two strikeouts in a scoreless top of the eighth, notching his 21st hold.
- Bennett Sousa stranded three runners in the sixth and gave up a solo home run in the seventh, finishing with an earned run, a walk, and a strikeout across 1.1 innings, resulting in his seventh hold.
- Enyel De Los Santos was awarded his third win. He stranded a runner in the fifth but walked three in the sixth, completing a scoreless combined inning.
This leverage ledger has been busy during the team’s five wins in its last seven games, taking a two-game lead in the American League West:
Abreu could be the biggest beneficiary as a pending free agent in 2027. He struggled at the start of the season, but has bounced back since the All-Star break. In his 21 games in the second half, he has recorded three wins, three saves, and seven holds while posting a 1.061 WHIP with 28 strikeouts and 13 walks (17.2 K-BB%) across 21.2 innings, allowing three earned runs. His walk rate (14.9%) remains elevated, but he will be one of the few options available that could be a closer next season.
Hierarchy Remains: Josh Hader | Bryan Abreu | Steven Okert
Today’s Takeaways
Lee’s in a tailspin: Continuing his recent struggles, Dylan Lee took over with two runners on and one out at the top of the sixth, and gave up a pinch-hit two-RBI double by, checks notes, Turner Hill, then retired Rafael Devers on a flyout, and an RBI single by Bryce Eldridge, prompting his removal. He allowed two hits and an earned run. This marks the second time in three games he has given up a run, and in four of his last eight. In 13 outings in August, he has posted a 1.75 WHIP, allowing 15 hits and eight runs (seven earned) over 12 innings. Here are his updated splits by half:
Whether it’s fatigue or regression, the rise in walks while giving up more contact should not be ignored by those using him as an option for SOLDS or holds.
Bednar’s non-save meltdown: The dreaded non-save outing getting a closer work went awry for David Bednar at the bottom of the eighth. It started with Mike Trout’s single, followed by Wade Meckler’s single, and a two-RBI double by Vaughn Grissom before retiring a batter on a groundout. With one out, Christian Moore laced an RBI single, moved to second on a wild pitch, but Bednar bore down, retiring the next two batters. All told, he allowed a season-high in earned runs (3) and hits (4), throwing 28 pitches (16 strikes – 57.1% Strike Rate) and inducing two whiffs (7.1 SwStr%). Despite this outing, he finished August with a 0.892 WHIP with 12 strikeouts and four walks (16.3 K-BB%) across 12.1 innings, recording a loss while converting eight of nine save chances.
There is no cause for concern other than his availability after logging 28 pitches in this outing.
Hierarchy Remains: David Bednar | Paul Blackburn | Brent Headrick
Romano’s fantasy impact as a Rockie: During an eventual one-run loss, Jordan Romano retired the side and recorded a strikeout in the ninth, throwing only six pitches. The good news is that he owns an eight-game scoreless streak. However, he has only notched one save in his last six appearances.
Fantasy managers do not roster Colorado relievers to insulate their ratios; it’s solely for saves. He cannot make save chances happen, but those looking to move up the standings may be better served targeting ancillary options on better teams for the last month of the season.
Hierarchy Remains: Jordan Romano | Brennan Bernardino | Jaden Hill
Here are the remaining leverage events of interest from Monday.
American League
Baltimore Orioles – Closing out a one-run lead in Coors Field, aided by a game-saving home run theft at the fence in center field, Andrew Kittredge set a career high with his ninth save, helping his team reach five hundred for the first time since April. He allowed a one-out double by Troy Johnston and struck out Zac Veen before the game-ending play. He threw nine pitches (66.7% Strike Rate) and induced two whiffs (22.2 SwStr%).
- Rico Garcia maintained the one-run margin, stranding two runners and retiring both batters, one via strikeout, during the bottom of the eighth, securing his 17th hold.
- Alex Hoppe gave up a hit and a walk during one-third of the eighth, but was credited with his fifth hold.
- Grant Wolfram collected his sixth win, yielding a hit and striking out two across two scoreless innings.
Hierarchy Remains: Andrew Kittredge | Yennier Cano | Rico Garcia
Boston Red Sox – Tasked with the top of the tenth, Aroldis Chapman recorded an out on Victor Robles’ sacrifice bunt, then struck out Cole Young and Weston Wilson, stranding the courtesy runner at third base. He collected his third win on his team’s walk-off rally at the bottom of the inning. Chapman threw 15 pitches (11 strikes – 73.3% Strike Rate) and produced two whiffs (13.3 SwStr%). This concludes his August, during which he posted a 0.778 WHIP with 11 strikeouts and three walks (23.5 K-BB%) across nine innings while converting this win and four saves.
- Alec Gamboa logged two scoreless innings, giving up a hit and striking out one.
- Erik Miller gave up Cal Raleigh’s solo home run and recorded two strikeouts in the seventh.
- Tyron Guerrero let his only inherited runner score in the sixth, allowing three hits, three earned runs, and a walk during one-third of an inning.
Updated Hierarchy: Aroldis Chapman | Garrett Whitlock | Erik Miller
Seattle Mariners – With the score tied at the bottom of the tenth, Cooper Criswell recorded an out on a sacrifice bunt, then intentionally walked Caleb Durbin and Jarren Duran to load the bases, followed by Trevor Story’s walk-off drive to the gap, resulting in his second loss.
Andrés Muñoz was summoned at the bottom of the eighth and stranded a runner, striking out Connor Wong. However, returning for the ninth, he gave up a leadoff triple by Roman Anthony, on an intriguing defensive decision by Julio Rodríguez, who scored on a sacrifice fly, resulting in his MLB-leading ninth blown save. He finished with three strikeouts over his 1.1 innings, throwing 15 pitches (11 strikes – 73.3% Strike Rate) with four whiffs (26.7 SwStr%). The boxscore does not tell the whole story for this outing.
- Eduard Bazardo was credited with his 26th hold despite giving up three hits and two earned runs in one-third of the eighth.
- Gabe Speier notched his 18th hold, logging 1.1 scoreless innings, walking and striking out one.
- Seranthony Domínguez retired the side in the sixth for his sixth hold.
Hierarchy Remains: Andrés Muñoz | Eduard Bazardo | Gabe Speier
Quick Hits
- Tampa Bay Rays: Appearing in an eventual one-run loss, Steven Matz worked around two hits and recorded a strikeout in a scoreless top of the ninth against the Mets. Garrett Cleavinger retired the side and struck out one in the eighth.
- Texas Rangers: Spoiling a combined shutout bid, Ben Peoples allowed two hits and an earned run while striking out one at the top of the ninth versus the A’s. Robby Ahlstrom retired the side and recorded two strikeouts in the eighth.
National League
New York Mets – Sealing a one-run lead and his fifth save, Kodai Senga worked around a leadoff walk with a fielder’s choice groundout, a flyout, and a game-ending strikeout against Yandy Díaz. He threw 17 pitches (9 strikes – 52.9% Strike Rate) without a whiff. Finishing his first month as a reliever, Senga suffered a loss and converted all five save opportunities, posting a 1.065 WHIP with 12 strikeouts and five walks (16.7 K-BB%) across 10.1 innings.
- Chris Devenski stranded two runners, retiring his only batter in the eighth for his first hold.
- Daniel Duarte allowed three hits, two earned runs, and a walk during two-thirds of the eighth, but was credited with his sixth hold.
- Dedniel Núñez fired a clean seventh, striking out one, securing his second hold.
- Nate Lavender gave up a hit during two-thirds of the sixth for his seventh hold.
Hierarchy Remains: Kodai Senga | Daniel Duarte | Nate Lavender
Philadelphia Phillies – Although it was a white-knuckle ride preserving a one-run lead at the bottom of the ninth, Jhoan Duran navigated around two infield singles, which had an average exit velocity of 80 miles per hour, with a game-ending groundout against Gabriel Moreno, closing the door on his 29th save. He threw 18 pitches (13 strikes – 72.2% Strike Rate) and produced three whiffs (16.7 SwStr%) while recording two strikeouts. Through 14 games in August, he earned a win and converted five saves while posting a 1.133 WHIP with 16 strikeouts versus three walks (21 K-BB%) over 15 innings.
- José Alvarado allowed a hit and a walk while striking out one in the eighth for his 13th hold.
- Brooks Raley stranded a runner and retired his only batter in the seventh, securing his 16th hold.
- Orion Kerkering gave up a hit and a walk with one strikeout during two-thirds of the seventh for his 17th hold.
- Alex McFarlane notched his second hold, retiring the side and striking out one in the sixth while stranding two inherited runners.
Hierarchy Remains: Jhoan Duran | Jonathan Bowlan | Orion Kerkering
San Francisco Giants – Completing a sweep that started on June 16 and 17, the Giants won the rain makeup as well with Dylan Smith closing out a four-run lead. He worked around a leadoff single and a walk with a double-play groundball against Austin Riley, followed by a game-ending strikeout. He threw 15 pitches (60% Strike Rate) and induced one whiff. Closing the book on August, he finished with three losses, two saves in four save chances, and a hold while recording a 1.657 WHIP with 17 strikeouts and seven walks (17.5 K-BB%) over 12.2 innings.
- Reiver Sanmartin notched his second hold, stranding a runner at the bottom of the seventh and retiring all five batters, two on strikeouts.
- Jason Foley allowed two hits and struck out one during his 1.1 scoreless innings, securing his second hold.
Updated Hierarchy: *Dylan Smith | *Carson Seymour | Reiver Sanmartin
*= closer-by-committee
Washington Nationals -In his fifth major league appearance, Erik Tolman recorded his first career save, retiring all five batters faced, striking out four against the Marlins, and stranding three inherited runners at the top of the eighth. It’s his team’s first save since August 7. He threw 21 pitches (71.4% Strike Rate) and racked up six whiffs (28.6% Strike Rate). This marked his second straight scoreless two-inning outing against the Marlins, and he’s been scoreless through his first five games with a 0.75 WHIP and eight strikeouts against two walks (26.1 K-BB%) in 6.2 innings.
- Matt Waldron collected his second win, allowing five hits across three-plus scoreless innings.
Updated Hierarchy: *Orlando Ribalta | *Clayton Beeter | *Erik Tolman
*= closer-by-committee
Quick Hits
- Arizona Diamondbacks: During a one-run loss, Kevin Ginkel worked a clean top of the ninth while striking out one. Juan Morillo allowed a hit and issued two walks, but escaped with a scoreless eighth, throwing 33 pitches against the heart of the Phillies’ lineup. Jonathan Loáisiga retired the side and struck out one in the seventh, facing the bottom third of the batting order.
- Colorado Rockies: Entering at the top of the sixth, Mark Manfredi worked around a walk for a scoreless frame. However, when he returned for the seventh, he was removed after issuing two walks and recording one out. Nick Frasso let one of two inherited runners score, issuing a walk and getting a groundout, scoring the eventual game-winning run, handing Manfredi his first loss.
- Miami Marlins: Entering at the bottom of the seventh, Josh Eckness let his only inherited runner score on Daylen Lile’s go-ahead two-run home run, issued a walk, and gave up an unearned run on a single by Andrés Chaparro due to an errant throw by Esteury Ruiz. After recording a strikeout, he allowed another single, leading to his removal from the contest. He suffered his second loss and a third blown save, yielding three hits, three runs, and a walk while striking out one in one-third of an inning.
- Milwaukee Brewers: Amid a blowout loss, DL Hall had his 7.1-inning scoreless streak snapped by Carson Kelly’s solo shot at the bottom of the seventh. Chad Patrick let one of two inherited runners score in the fourth and worked 1.1 scoreless frames, issuing two walks.
- San Diego Padres: Completing a combined shutout, Wandy Peralta gave up a hit and struck out one at the bottom of the ninth against the Reds. Kyle Hart logged two innings, walking one and striking out four.
Holds Tally
Here are the holds from Monday’s slate:
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Statistical Credits: