Thursday’s slate started slowly but finished with two reliever wins and six saves. Paul Sewald recorded his second save in as many days with a little help from his defense, and Josh Hader fired a clean ninth against the Marlins, closing out a series sweep.
There have been reports that Pittsburgh will activate David Bednar and Ryan Borucki for this weekend’s series, but nothing official has been confirmed. Once it happens, the team’s hierarchy will be adjusted accordingly.
Three Takeaways
- Vulture wins?: Although our niche coverage focuses on streaming for saves, some relievers emerge as vulture win candidates yearly. Tayler Scott collected his sixth win of the season last night and his fourth over the last 30 days. He’s tied with Daniel Hudson for the most wins in the last statistical month, and only three relievers have more wins this season (three tied with seven). Scott, Hudson and Kevin Ginkel have all recorded six wins, which makes them streamable options in head-to-head formats.
- D-Will heads to High-A: Adam McAlvy reported Milwaukee closer Devin Williams will make his first rehab outing for the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers on Saturday. Statcast data will not be available until he reaches Triple-A. Still, fantasy managers can track his usage patterns with eyes on a potential return date near or ahead of the trade deadline (July 30).
- Where’s Yimi?: Scheduled for a second rehab outing since Tuesday, Yimi García has not appeared since suffering neck stiffness. Thursday marks a third straight scratch for the Blue Jays reliever, who some speculate could be activated as early as this weekend. This may not happen, and the team will be cautious with one of its best trade deadline assets. He was a popular stash in many formats over the weekend, but his runway for save chances keeps dissipating.
Next, our condensed game recaps cover Thursday’s high-leverage events of interest.
Closer CliffsNotes
American League
Boston Red Sox – Logging his third multi-inning save of the season, Chase Anderson tossed three scoreless frames and preserved a combined shutout with Tanner Houck. Anderson gave up two hits and recorded five strikeouts against the A’s. He threw 39 pitches (28 strikes – 71.8 Strike%) and produced six whiffs (15.4 SwStr%).
Updated Hierarchy: Kenley Jansen | Justin Slaten | Zack Kelly
Houston Astros – Converting his 17th straight save chance, Josh Hader fired a clean ninth and recorded two strikeouts during a three-run win over the Marlins. He threw 17 pitches (10 strikes – 58.8 Strike%) and produced four whiffs (23.5 SwStr%). This marks consecutive scoreless outings with multiple strikeouts. Can he cut down the home run per fly ball rate in the second half?
- Ryan Pressly allowed a hit and struck out one in a scoreless eighth, securing his 14th hold. He’s been scoreless over his last 11 appearances.
- Bryan Abreu navigated around two hits while striking out three in a scoreless seventh, notching his 21st hold.
- Tayler Scott collected his fourth win, stranding two runners and recording two outs, one via strikeout in the sixth inning.
Hierarchy remains: Josh Hader | Ryan Pressly | Bryan Abreu
Tampa Bay Rays – Struggling with his command, Pete Fairbanks issued a lead-off walk in the ninth, a one-out Juan Soto walk, and induced an Aaron Judge pop-out before Ben Rice produced an RBI single. With two outs and two on, Fairbanks bore down and retired Gleyber Torres on a game-ending pop-out for his 16th save. He threw 28 pitches (15 strikes – 53.6 Strike%) with two whiffs.
- Manuel Rodríguez stranded two runners and issued a walk in one-third of the eighth for his second hold.
- Colin Poche gave up a hit and a walk while striking out one in one-third of the eighth, getting credit for his tenth hold.
- Jason Adam fired 1.1 clean frames and recorded two strikeouts while nailing down his 17th hold.
- Garrett Cleavinger retired the side in the sixth and struck out two for his eighth hold.
- Kevin Kelly stranded one of two runners and issued a walk, collecting his third win in two-thirds of the fifth.
Hierarchy remains: Pete Fairbanks | Jason Adam | Colin Poche
Toronto Blue Jays – With two outs and a three-run lead, Chad Green allowed a solo home run by Mike Yastrzemski before a game-ending strikeout for his fifth save. He threw 21 pitches (60 Strike%) and induced one whiff. He’s recorded a win and three saves through five appearances in July but has given up a home run in two contests.
- Zach Pop worked a clean eighth and secured his seventh hold.
Hierarchy remains: Chad Green | Trevor Richards | Nate Pearson
National League
Arizona Diamondbacks – Pitching with a one-run lead, Paul Sewald secured his 13th save and second in as many days with a scoreless ninth, though Jake McCarthy should get credit for his defense on this Matt Olson flyout. He worked around a two-out Marcell Ozuna with a game-ending groundout. Sewald threw 15 pitches (66.7 Strike%) and induced two whiffs (13.3 SwStr%). Over his last two saves, he’s been efficient during his two scoreless innings, producing a 73.9 strike percentage while retiring six of seven batters.
- Ryan Thompson navigated around two walks for a scoreless eighth and his 15th hold.
- Kevin Ginkel notched his seventh hold, allowing a hit and striking out one in a scoreless seventh inning. He owns a nine-game scoreless streak and has been scoreless in 19 of his last 20 appearances.
Hierarchy remains: Paul Sewald | Kevin Ginkel | Ryan Thompson
Philadelphia Phillies – Taking over with a four-run lead, José Alvarado worked a scoreless ninth and finished a sweep of the Dodgers. He allowed a one-out walk, then induced a game-ending double-play groundout. He threw 14 pitches (8 strikes – 57.1 Strike%) and induced one whiff while striking out one in his non-save appearance.
- Jeff Hoffman worked into and out of trouble in the eighth. He recorded a strikeout, had a runner reach on an error, issued a walk, and gave up a single, loading the bases before an inning-ending lineout double play. Hoffman secured his 11th hold and extended his modest scoreless streak to five.
- Matt Strahm walked one during a scoreless seventh for his ninth hold.
Hierarchy remains: *José Alvarado | *Jeff Hoffman | Orion Kerkering
*= floating closer
Pittsburgh Pirates – Moving into 20th all-time in saves, Aroldis Chapman locked down his 325th career save and fourth this season with a clean ninth while striking out one. He threw nine pitches (77.8 Strike%) and induced one whiff. This marked his first clean appearance since June 26 and his first in July without issuing a walk.
- Colin Holderman navigated around two hits and a walk with three strikeouts in a scoreless eighth. He spoiled the combined no-hit bid but preserved the combined shutout for his 14th hold.
Hierarchy remains: Aroldis Chapman | Colin Holderman | Carmen Mlodzinski
Vulture Save Option for Friday, July 12
- Justin Martinez (ARI): With each reliever in our hierarchy working on consecutive days, the rookie could benefit from the vulture save chance in tonight’s game.
- Gregory Soto (PHI): If a save chance presents itself, the southpaw could be in line. Alvarado and Hoffman pitched on Wednesday and Thursday, leaving them unavailable in tonight’s contest versus Oakland.
Vulture Save Option for Saturday, July 13
- Manuel Rodríguez (TBR): If Fairbanks and Adam pitch in tonight’s game, it will be back-to-back outings.
- Ryan Fernandez (STL): He could garner a vulture save chance with a doubleheader on tap for Saturday.
- Hunter Bigge (CHC): If the Cubs can sweep the Cardinals, the rookie could get his first high-leverage outing in Game 2.
Heading into the last weekend before the All-Star break, here are some leaderboards for saves, holds, and SOLDS.
Saves and Holds Leaders (last 30 days)
Link: https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/eB4WK/2/
SOLDS Leaders (last 30 days)
Link: https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/alnLC/1/
Saves and Holds Leaders (last 14 days)
Link: https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/pilMX/1/
SOLDS Leaders (last 14 days)
Link: https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/eJUku/1/
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