Sunday proved slippery from a fantasy perspective in high-leverage. Seven relievers recorded a win, and there were six saves. However, there were two first saves of the season, Hunter Harvey and Anthony Banda, while Roansy Contreras secured a vulture save for the Angels. Our condensed recaps cover the results of interest from this slate and what to watch for in the upcoming scoring period.
Closer CliffsNotes
- A.J. Puk (ARI) inherited runners on the corners with one out with a one-run lead. He produced a strikeout against Oneil Cruz and induced a game-ending flyout by Bryan De La Cruz for his second save, first with Arizona. Paul Sewald earned his first win, tossing a scoreless sixth while giving up a hit and striking out one.
- Cam Booser (BOS) entered in the bottom of the fifth and stranded a runner. He finished 1.1 clean frames and earned his second win as a result.
- Shelby Miller (DET) got into trouble by allowing a lead-off single, a one-out hit, and MJ Melendez’s pinch-hit, go-ahead three-run home run. This resulted in his seventh loss and sixth blown save. Detroit last recorded a save on July 25.
- Hunter Harvey (KCR) capped his team’s come-from-behind rally in the top of the ninth and preserved a one-run win for his first save. He gave up a one-out single but induced a game-ending double play groundout. Chris Stratton collected his fourth win, tossing a clean eighth and striking out one.
- Roansy Contreras (LAA) filled in and preserved a one-run win over the Mets with a clean top of the ninth, recording two strikeouts and his second save.
- Anthony Banda (LAD) secured his first save since 2020, becoming his team’s tenth pitcher with one this season. He retired the side and recorded a strikeout, finishing a one-run win in Oakland. Alex Vesia collected his second win after a clean seventh while striking out two.
- Cole Sands (MIN) worked two scoreless frames, allowing two hits and a walk while striking out two en route to his fifth win. He took over in the fifth during an eventual six-run win over the White Sox.
- Mark Leiter Jr. (NYY) stranded a runner in the top of the ninth and worked a scoreless tenth despite hitting a batter. He finished 1.1 scoreless frames with three strikeouts and collected his third win courtesy of a walk-off rally in the bottom of the tenth.
- Colin Holderman (PIT) issued two walks and allowed Joc Pederson’s go-ahead three-run home run in the seventh, resulting in his fourth loss and fifth blown save.
- Pete Fairbanks (TBR) fired a clean bottom of the ninth and recorded two strikeouts, preserving a 1-0 win during his 21st save.
- Bowden Francis (TOR) took over a tied game in the bottom of the tenth. He recorded an out on a sacrifice bunt, then gave up a walk-off DJ LeMahieu single.
- Kyle Finnegan (WSH) worked around a lead-off single with a flyout and a game-ending double play groundout for a scoreless appearance and his 30th save.
Vulture Save Option for Monday, August 5
- Lucas Erceg (KCR): Harvey appeared for a second straight game yesterday, and with James McArthur still struggling, tonight’s save chance should go to Erceg.
Vulture Save Option for Tuesday, August 6
With 12 teams off on Monday, it will be tough sledding early in the week for those chasing vulture saves, especially when teams reset their workloads with only ten teams playing last Thursday.
What to Watch For (August 5 – 11)
- Arizona: While Paul Sewald works his way back into the closer role, will the team keep using Ryan Thompson in the ninth despite allowing runs in his last two appearances or can A.J. Puk gain a save share in this scoring period?
- Baltimore: Is Craig Kimbrel still on a “break” from save chances, or will he receive an opportunity in the coming days? Fantasy managers should monitor his velocity, above or below 94 m.p.h. and his performances in his next few outings.
- Detroit: This leverage ladder has had a rough stretch, and arguably, the best reliever, Tyler Holton, has operated as an opener in his last three appearances. Can someone step up in the second half?
- Kansas City: A significant scoring period looms for James McArthur. Has he been demoted from the closer role? Will Hunter Harvey and Lucas Erceg share save situations, or can one take over the ninth inning?
- LA Angels: Ben Joyce recorded his first major league save. Will the team take the training wheels off as the season progresses?
- LA Dodgers: Ten relievers have notched a save since yesterday, and there have been no set usage patterns, causing frustration in the fantasy community. Is Dave Roberts waiting for Evan Phillips to regain his former role atop the hierarchy, and will the rest fall into place?
- Miami: Does Calvin Faucher cement his spot in the ninth, or will the team use a match-up-based approach in the late innings?
- Milwaukee: Will Devin Williams work on consecutive days this season?
- Oakland: Mason Miller has been throwing. His cast was removed, and he’s eligible to return on August 7, which presents a tough decision for those in weekly formats.
- Philadelphia: Recent usage patterns point toward Carlos Estévez being the primary save share with the Phillies, will this scoring period reinforce this premise with a save chance or two?
American League – August 4, Full Recaps
Detroit Tigers – Entering with a two-run lead, Shelby Miller allowed a lead-off Hunter Renfroe single, induced a pop-out, gave up a Freddy Fermin single, and recorded a second out. However, with two outs, Miller served up a pinch-hit MJ Melendez three-run home run, resulting in his seventh loss and sixth blown save. He’s allowed multiple runs in his last two games and may have pitched himself out of future save opportunities.
- Jason Foley took over, retiring Bobby Witt Jr. on a lineout, but the damage had been done.
- Will Vest tossed a scoreless eighth, allowing a hit and striking out one for his sixth hold.
- Brant Hurter secured a hold in his MLB debut, logging three scoreless frames, scattering two hits, and striking out three.
Updated Hierarchy: *Jason Foley | *Will Vest | Tyler Holton
*= closer-by-committee
Kansas City Royals – Capping a comeback rally at the top of the ninth, Hunter Harvey tossed a scoreless bottom of the inning, giving up a one-out single and producing a game-ending double play groundout for his first save. He threw nine pitches (66.7 Strike%) and induced one whiff. This snapped his two-game streak, allowing at least a run, and reinforces his status in the leverage ladder.
- Chris Stratton collected his fourth win, retiring the side and striking out one in the bottom of the eighth ahead of his team’s three-run rally.
- Will Smith worked a scoreless seventh, yielding a hit and striking out one.
Hierarchy remains: *Hunter Harvey | *Lucas Erceg | *James McArthur
Los Angeles Angels – Filling in capably in the ninth, Roansy Contreras secured his second save while retiring the side and striking out two during a one-run win over the Mets. He threw 11 pitches (90.9 Strike%) and induced two whiffs (18.2 SwStr%). He’s been scoreless in seven of his last eight with two ancillary saves and a 13:2 K:BB over 10.1 innings.
- Mike Baumann notched his sixth hold with a scoreless eighth, allowing a hit and striking out one.
- José Marte tossed two scoreless innings, yielding a hit.
Updated Hierarchy: Ben Joyce | Hunter Strickland | Roansy Contreras
*= closer-by-committee
New York Yankees – After an extended rain delay, Mark Leiter Jr. stranded a runner in the ninth and retired four of five batters, three via strikeout against Toronto. He collected his third win courtesy of a walk-off rally in the bottom of the tenth. He threw 22 pitches (14 strikes – 63.6 Strike%) and generated six whiffs (27.3 SwStr%).
- Enyel De Los Santos gave up a hit and recorded a strikeout over two-thirds of the ninth.
- Clay Holmes gets tagged with his ninth blown save. He inherited a bases-loaded situation with one out in the eighth, allowing an Alejandro Kirk sacrifice fly, and recorded an inning-ending strikeout.
- Tommy Kahnle was credited with his eighth hold, giving up an unearned run and two walks over one-third of the eighth.
- Luke Weaver logged 1.1 scoreless frames and walked one in his outing.
Hierarchy remains: Clay Holmes | Luke Weaver | Mark Leiter Jr.
Tampa Bay Rays – Preserving a combined shutout, Pete Fairbanks shut the door on his 21st save with a clean ninth and two strikeouts. He threw 11 pitches (81.8 Strike%) and generated six whiffs (54.5 SwStr%). He’s converted 11 straight saves and been scoreless in his last five appearances.
- Manuel Rodríguez notched his sixth hold, retiring the side and striking out two in the eighth.
- Edwin Uceta logged two clean frames and recorded two strikeouts for his third hold.
- Tyler Alexander collected his fifth win. He pitched 4.1 scoreless innings, giving up two hits and a walk while striking out five.
Updated Hierarchy: Pete Fairbanks | Colin Poche | Manuel Rodríguez
National League – August 4, Full Recaps
Arizona Diamondbacks – Pressed into action with two runners on and one out in the ninth, A.J. Puk struck out Oneil Cruz and induced a game-ending flyout by Bryan De La Cruz for his second save, first with the Diamondbacks. He threw 12 pitches (75 Strike%) without a whiff.
- Ryan Thompson was credited with his 20th hold despite giving up two hits, an earned run, and a walk before being removed.
- Dylan Floro retired the side and recorded a strikeout for his tenth hold in the eighth.
- Justin Martinez notched his eighth hold, allowing a hit and striking out three in a scoreless seventh.
- Paul Sewald tossed a scoreless sixth and collected his first win. He gave up a hit and struck out one.
Updated Hierarchy: *Ryan Thompson | *A.J. Puk | Justin Martinez
*= closer-by-committee
Los Angeles Dodgers – Recording his team’s tenth save, and his first since 2020, Anthony Banda retired the side and struck out one while preserving a one-run win in Oakland.
- Daniel Hudson notched his 15th hold, tossing a clean eighth and striking out one against the 3-4-5 lineup pocket.
- Alex Vesia collected his second win, firing a clean seventh and striking out two.
- Blake Treinen worked a scoreless sixth, allowing a hit and striking out one for his ninth hold.
- Evan Phillips stranded the bases loaded with an inning-ending strikeout of his only batter faced in the fifth.
Updated Hierarchy: *Daniel Hudson | *Blake Treinen | *Evan Phillips
*= closer-by-committee
Washington Nationals – Summoned with a one-run lead, Kyle Finnegan reached 30 saves for the first time in his career. He navigated around a lead-off single with a flyout and a game-ending double play groundout, throwing 11 pitches (81.8 Strike%) with one whiff. This marks the seventh time a Nationals reliever has recorded 30 saves, the first since Rafael Soriano (32 in 2014).
- Jacob Barnes retired his only batter in the eighth via strikeout for his first hold.
- Robert Garcia gave up three hits, including a two-run Gary Sánchez home run and three earned runs over two-thirds of the eighth.
- Derek Law tossed a clean seventh, striking out two.
Hierarchy remains: Kyle Finnegan | Robert Garcia | Derek Law
Thanks for being a part of the Closer Monkey community. Stay safe and be well.
Please consider becoming a premium subscriber for a one-time $20 donation to the site, featuring full-text emails with charts, column blurbs, and ad-free analysis.
Statistical Credits:
