Saturday’s 16-game slate resulted in eight relievers recording a win, though one was accompanied by a blown save (Burch Smith). It also featured ten saves, including the first of the season by Devin Williams and Ryan Walker. Our condensed recaps cover the high-leverage events of interest.
Closer CliffsNotes
- Kevin Ginkel (ARI) replaced an injured Zac Gallen in the top of the fifth and stranded two runners. Ginkel collected his seventh win, tossing 1.2 scoreless frames, giving up a walk, and striking out three.
- Raisel Iglesias (ATL) helped snap his team’s six-game losing streak while securing his 24th save, firing a clean ninth and striking out one in Colorado.
- Seranthony Domínguez (BAL) finished a two-run win in Tampa Bay with a scoreless bottom of the ninth. He issued a walk and recorded a strikeout for his first save with the Orioles and his second of the season.
- Héctor Neris (CHC) had a runner reach on an error but retired the next three hitters, two via strikeout, securing his 17th save.
- Chad Kuhl (CHW) gave up three hits, two earned runs, and a walk during his one-third of the eighth, resulting in his second loss.
- Tony Santillan (CIN) took over a scoreless game in the bottom of the eighth and allowed a Rhys Hoskins solo home run, resulting in his first loss.
- Emmanuel Clase (CLE) nailed down his American League-leading 34th save with a clean ninth and recorded a strikeout against the Twins. He’s converted 21 straight saves since May 20.
- Josh Hader (HOU) worked around a lead-off Rafael Devers double by retiring the next three batters for his 25th save. His scoreless outing preserved a one-run win, and he recorded one strikeout.
- Lucas Erceg (KCR) was summoned in the eighth with two runners and two outs. He stranded both with an inning-ending strikeout, then returned for a scoreless ninth, scattering two hits, and recorded his fourth save, first with the Royals.
- Roansy Contreras (LAA) threw a wild pitch and allowed a walk-off hit in the bottom of the tenth, resulting in his second loss.
- Michael Kopech (LAD) was awarded his third win. He stranded two runners in the seventh and retired all four batters, two via strikeout. Since the trade deadline, he’s allowed one hit and recorded eight strikeouts against zero walks across 5.1 scoreless innings.
- John McMillon (MIA) suffered his first loss. He took over in the top of the tenth and allowed the “place” runner to score on a fielder’s choice groundout. He also gave up two walks during his outing. Anthony Bender gave up three hits, three earned runs, and a walk while striking out two during his fourth blown save.
- Devin Williams (MIL) locked down his first save, striking out the side against the Reds’ 2-3-4 lineup pocket. This marked his first save since September 27 last year, and he’s recorded three strikeouts in consecutive appearances. Joel Payamps stranded a runner and retired both hitters in the eighth en route to his second win.
- Luke Weaver (NYY) entered a tied game at the top of the sixth of Game 2 and imploded. He allowed four hits, five earned runs, and a walk while recording one out, resulting in his third loss.
- Mason Miller (OAK) slammed the door on his 17th save, completing a combined shutout. He allowed a one-out walk and recorded three strikeouts against the Blue Jays.
- Tanner Scott (SDP) secured his 19th save, first with the Padres, with a scoreless bottom of the tenth. He allowed an infield hit and recorded a strikeout. Robert Suarez collected his seventh win. He retired the side and recorded a strikeout in the bottom of the ninth.
- Ryan Walker (SFG) converted his first save as the “interim closer,” working a scoreless ninth against the Tigers. He did give up a walk and a hit before recording consecutive strikeouts, preserving the two-run win.
- Ryan Fernandez (STL) let one of two inherited runners score in the bottom of the sixth. Returning for the seventh, he gave up three hits and three earned runs, resulting in his fourth loss and a second blown save.
- Colin Poche (TBR) struggled during his outing at the top of the eighth. He allowed four hits, three earned runs, and a walk while striking out one during two-thirds of the inning, resulting in his second loss.
- Derek Law (WSH) logged two scoreless frames and collected his seventh win courtesy of a walk-off rally in the bottom of the tenth. He allowed a hit and struck out one in his outing.
Vulture Save Options for Sunday, August 11
- Jason Adam (SDP): Suarez has pitched in three of the last four, and Scott in four of the previous five days.
- Craig Kimbrel (BAL): Cano and Domínguez have appeared on consecutive days. Kimbrel last pitched in a save situation on July 25 (his sixth blown save). Monitor his velocity if he gets the opportunity this afternoon.
Vulture Save Options for Monday, August 12
- A.J. Minter (ATL): If Iglesias and Jiménez pitch today, it will be back-to-back outings.
- Scott Barlow (CLE): If Clase and Gaddis pitch this afternoon, it’s consecutive appearances.
- Ryan Pressly (HOU): Hader and Abreu worked yesterday, and if they pitch today, they will get Monday off.
Three Takeaways
- Royals revamped hierarchy: Just when it seemed safe to trust Hunter Harvey as the preferred save option, he landed on the injured list with a mid-back issue. His designation is backdated to August 7, but it may mean a committee-based approach in the interim. Lucas Erceg secured his first save with the team on Saturday but pitched in the seventh on Friday, which would have lined up Kris Bubic for the save opportunity. Our adjusted hierarchy appears in the full-game recap below, with Erceg atop, but he may share them with Bubic. Stay tuned.
- Domínguez over Kimbrel?: As noted above, Craig Kimbrel last received a save chance on July 25. He was passed over in Tampa Bay with a two-run lead for Seranthony Domínguez. It’s tough saying Kimbrel’s leverage role may be on the line, and his manager remains steadfast in his support. Still, the velocity concerns and location issues linger (52 strike percentage in his last three appearances) and must be accounted for when putting him in fantasy lineups. Sunday may yield a better idea of how he may be used for the remainder of the season.
- The “Airbender” is back: Locking down his first save of 2024, Devin Williams struck out the side while preserving a 1-0 win over the Reds. There has not been an update regarding a timeline for when he can or will appear on consecutive days. Since his return, save chances have been sparse for the Brewers, but fantasy managers await when he will be given a regular closer workload. More potential good news for this leverage ladder: Trevor Megill has been throwing and could be activated as soon as Tuesday.
American League – Full Recaps from August 10
Baltimore Orioles – Preserving a two-run win in Tampa Bay, Seranthony Domínguez recorded his first save with the Orioles and his second of the season with a scoreless ninth. He allowed a walk and recorded a strikeout on 18 pitches (55.6 Strike%) with four whiffs (22.2 SwStr%). He’s been scoreless in seven of eight games since the trade deadline, with nine strikeouts against two walks and a 0.75 WHIP.
- Cionel Pérez let one of two inherited runners score, issuing two walks, including one with the bases loaded and recorded an out for his 16th hold.
- Yennier Cano gave up two hits and an earned run while striking out two in two-thirds of the eighth, getting credit for his 26th hold.
- Burch Smith allowed a game-tying José Caballero home run, resulting in his first blown save, but collected his fourth win courtesy of his team’s three-run rally in the top of the eighth.
Updated Hierarchy: *Seranthony Domínguez | *Yennier Cano (HLR) | Craig Kimbrel
*= closer-by-committee
Cleveland Guardians – Locking down his American League-leading 34th save, Emmanuel Clase retired the side and recorded a strikeout while preserving a one-run win in Minnesota. He threw 13 pitches (8 strikes – 61.5 Strike%) and induced two whiffs (15.4 SwStr%). Through his last 30 games, he’s converted 21 straight save chances with 22 strikeouts versus four walks over 30 innings.
- Hunter Gaddis secured his 25th hold, firing a clean eighth and striking out one.
- Cade Smith notched his 18th hold with a clean seventh and striking out one.
Hierarchy remains: Emmanuel Clase | Hunter Gaddis | Scott Barlow
Houston Astros -Working around a lead-off double by Rafael Devers, Josh Hader retired the next three batters, including a game-ending strikeout for his 25th save. He threw 16 pitches (11 strikes – 68.8 Strike%) and generated five whiffs (31.3 SwStr%. This extended his scoreless streak to six games, during which he’s converted five saves.
- Bryan Abreu was credited with his AL-leading 29th hold despite allowing three hits and two earned runs while striking out one, snapping his 14-game scoreless stretch.
Hierarchy remains: Josh Hader | Ryan Pressly | Bryan Abreu
Kansas City Royals – Pressed into action with two runners on and two outs, Lucas Erceg quelled the threat by strikeout out Paul Goldschmidt. With an off day looming on Sunday, he returned for the ninth and navigated around two hits for a scoreless 1.1-inning outing while securing his fourth save. He threw 25 pitches (64 Strike%) and generated five whiffs (20 SwStr%). He remains unscored upon as a Royal with six scoreless outings spanning 6.1 innings while producing eight strikeouts against zero walks. With Hunter Harvey on the injured list, Erceg could emerge as the preferred save share, though it may be match-up dependent.
- Kris Bubic gave up three hits and an earned run while striking out two over two-thirds of the eighth before being lifted.
Before Saturday’s game, the Royals placed Hunter Harvey on the 15-day injured list with mid-back tightness, as per Anne Rogers in this tweet on “X.”
Adjusted Hierarchy: *Lucas Erceg | *Kris Bubic | James McArthur
*= closer-by-committee
Oakland A’s – Shutting the door on his 17th save and preserving a 1-0 shutout, Mason Miller issued a one-out walk and recorded all three outs via strikeout. He threw 18 pitches (11 strikes – 61.1 Strike%) and produced four whiffs (18.2 SwStr%) against the top of Toronto’s lineup. He’s secured a save in a scoreless outing in both games back from the injured list and extended his scoreless streak to five games since July 10.
- Tyler Ferguson retired the side for his third hold in the eighth.
- Scott Alexander tossed a clean seventh, striking out one and posting his seventh hold.
Hierarchy remains: Mason Miller | Tyler Ferguson | Austin Adams
National League – Full Recaps from August 10
Atlanta Braves – Closing out his 24th save and helping snap his team’s six-game losing streak, Raisel Iglesias retired the side and recorded a strikeout in Coors Field. He threw 10 pitches (90 Strike%) and induced two whiffs. This extended his scoreless streak to nine games. He’s also converted both save chances in August.
- Joe Jiménez nailed down his 19th hold with a clean eighth while striking out two.
- Pierce Johnson collected his fifth win. He stranded a runner in the sixth and tossed a scoreless seventh. His final line was 1.1 scoreless innings, allowing a hit and striking out one.
- Aaron Bummer suffered his third blown save. He gave up four hits and three earned runs while recording two outs in the bottom of the sixth.
Hierarchy remains: Raisel Iglesias | Joe Jiménez | A.J. Minter
Chicago Cubs – Nailing down his 17th save, Héctor Neris worked a scoreless ninth and recorded two strikeouts while closing out a two-run win over the White Sox. He threw 14 pitches (71.4 Strike%) and produced three whiffs (21.4 SwStr%). He’s been scoreless in three of four appearances this month and converted all three saves.
- Jorge López notched his seventh hold, navigating around a hit and a walk while striking out one in a scoreless eighth.
- Porter Hodge collected his first win, firing a clean seventh and striking out one ahead of his team’s two-run rally in the top of the eighth.
Hierarchy remains: Héctor Neris | Porter Hodge | Tyson Miller
Milwaukee Brewers – Summoned with a 1-0 lead in the top of the ninth, Devin Williams nailed down his first save of the season and first since September 27 last year, striking out the side. He threw 18 pitches (50 Strike%) and produced three whiffs (16.7 SwStr%). He’s recorded three strikeouts in consecutive outings. His last hurdle will be pitching on consecutive days.
- Joel Payamps stranded a runner and retired both batters in the eighth. He collected his second win due to Rhys Hoskins’ go-ahead home run in the bottom of the inning.
Hierarchy Remains: Devin Williams | Joel Payamps | Elvis Peguero
San Diego Padres – Securing his 19th save and first with the Padres, Tanner Scott tossed a scoreless bottom of the tenth and preserved a one-run win in Miami. He navigated around a lead-off infield single on a bunt with a pop-out, a fielder’s choice groundball throwing out the “place” runner at home, and a game-ending strikeout. He threw 12 pitches (66.7 Strike%) and induced two whiffs.
- Robert Suarez collected his seventh win. He retired the side and recorded a strikeout in the ninth, ahead of his team’s rally in the top of the tenth. He’s been scoreless in seven of eight appearances in the second half, recording three wins and converting three of four save chances.
- Adrian Morejon suffered his second blown save, giving up a game-tying Jake Burger solo home run in the eighth.
- Jhony Brito logged 2.1 scoreless frames, allowing a hit and a walk while striking out three.
Hierarchy remains: Robert Suarez | Tanner Scott | Jason Adam
San Francisco Giants – During his first outing as the “interim closer,” Ryan Walker navigated around a one-out walk and a single with consecutive strikeouts, securing his first save. This also marks the second of his career. He threw 18 pitches (55.6 Strike%) and induced two whiffs. He’s been scoreless in his last six appearances with eight strikeouts against one walk and has not allowed a run in ten of his previous 11.
- Tyler Rogers notched his 25th hold with a clean eighth and struck out one.
Hierarchy remains: Ryan Walker | Tyler Rogers | Jordan Hicks
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