Somedays provide more angst than others in the world of high-leverage relievers. Yesterday, they offered an anxiety-driven afternoon. Tampa Bay closer Pete Fairbanks not only suffered his fourth blown save, he allowed a game-tying three-run home run before leaving with the team’s trainer. Early reports speculate on the potential for a lat injury, which could end his season depending on the severity. While fantasy managers prefer clarity, this may result in the Rays mixing-and-matching for saves over the next two weeks or the rest of the season.
For Sunday’s 15-game slate, 13 games were decided by two or fewer runs, seven were one-run contests, and four were extended into extra innings. Seven relievers recorded wins and nine secured saves. Our condensed game recaps capture the high-leverage events of interest, but those seeking deeper analysis should reference the specific team pages, or this post will be too long.
Closer CliffsNotes
- Justin Martinez (ARI) tossed a scoreless bottom of the 11th but suffered his fourth loss in the 12th. Following a sacrifice bunt and a walk, he gave up Dylan Carlson’s walk-off RBI single. He absorbed two losses in Tampa Bay, throwing 18 strikes of his 34 pitches (52.9 Strike%).
- Raisel Iglesias (ATL) shut the door on his 26th save with a clean ninth and recorded one strikeout. This extended his scoreless streak to 12 games, during which he’s converted five saves with 16 strikeouts versus one walk across 13 innings.
- Seranthony Domínguez (BAL) quelled a bases-loaded situation in the top of the eighth on an inning-ending popout. He recorded his fourth save, third with Baltimore, despite giving up Rob Refsnyder’s solo home run in the ninth while retiring three batters via strikeout. He’s been scoreless in eight of ten games with the Orioles, and both runs have been scored on solo home runs.
- Victor Vodnik (COL) issued a one-out walk during a scoreless ninth and notched his ninth save, securing a one-run win over the Padres. He’s converted five of six save opportunities in August but has posted more walks (8) than strikeouts (6) over his 8.1 innings this month.
- Beau Brieske (DET) collected his second win even though he let the “place” runner score in the top of the tenth, courtesy of a walk-off rally in Williamsport. He allowed a hit and recorded a strikeout against the Yankees.
- Josh Hader (HOU) nailed down his 27th save with a clean top of the ninth and two strikeouts while preserving a combined shutout against the White Sox. This extended his scoreless streak to nine games, during which he’s recorded one win and seven saves, with 12 strikeouts against three walks through 9.1 innings.
- Lucas Erceg (KCR) was summoned with the bases loaded and one out in the seventh. He retired both batters via strikeout, then worked around a one-out single in the eighth for 1.2 scoreless frames. He secured his 18th hold and recorded four strikeouts, but this usage pattern should remind fantasy managers he’s the highest-leveraged reliever, not the closer.
- Michael Kopech (LAD) notched his second save with the Dodgers and 11th of the season with a clean ninth, preserving a one-run win in St. Louis. He did work with reduced velocity after appearing three times in four days. He will get at least two days off, per Dave Roberts. Kopech has been scoreless through 9.1 innings since the trade deadline with 13 strikeouts against one walk (40 K-BB%) and retired 28 of 30 batters faced (0.22 WHIP).
- Calvin Faucher (MIA) navigated around consecutive singles by retiring the next three Mets, two via strikeout, securing his third save and preserving a one-run win.
- Jared Koenig (MIL) recorded his first career save with a clean ninth against Cleveland’s 2-3-4 hitters. After the game, manager Pat Murphy confirmed Devin Williams was unavailable after appearing in three of the previous four contests.
- Jhoan Durán (MIN) appeared for the fourth time in five days, suffering his sixth loss in the bottom of the tenth. After recording a strikeout, he gave up Josh Jung’s walk-off RBI single.
- Reed Garrett (NYM) stranded two runners in the seventh but issued two walks, resulting in an earned run and his fifth loss in the eighth. Phil Maton let one of two inherited runners score on Derek Hill’s RBI single but worked 1.1 scoreless innings.
- Clay Holmes (NYY) suffered his MLB-leading tenth blown save. He allowed Colt Keith’s one-out double and Jace Jung’s game-tying RBI single in the bottom of the ninth. Despite his recent rough patch, Aaron Boone said Holmes will be his closer. Mark Leiter Jr. gave up two hits and two runs (one earned) during his fifth loss and a third blown save in the bottom of the tenth.
- Dany Jiménez (OAK) took over in the top of the tenth against the Giants and served up two home runs, resulting in three runs (two earned), and his third loss of the season. Mason Miller fired a clean ninth and recorded two strikeouts, keeping the game tied.
- Matt Strahm (PHI) took over a tied game at the top of the eighth. He allowed a lead-off single and a walk. After a sacrifice put runners in scoring position, a go-ahead sacrifice fly resulted in his second loss.
- Ryan Walker (SFG) logged two innings while registering his eighth win. He returned for the tenth after tossing a scoreless ninth in a tied contest. He allowed the “place” runner to score on Brent Rooker’s RBI single but prevented further damage by retiring the next three hitters via strikeout. Walker finished with two hits allowed, an unearned run, and a walk while striking out five.
- Edwin Uceta (TBR) navigated around a bunt single for a scoreless top of the 12th while recording two strikeouts. He collected his first win courtesy of a walk-off rally in the bottom of the inning. He’s been scoreless in 10 of 11 appearances in the second half, with 23 strikeouts against two walks across 16 innings.
- Andrew Chafin (TEX) retired the side in the top of the tenth and struck out one. He collected his fourth win courtesy of a walk-off rally in the bottom of the inning. Kirby Yates suffered his first blown save, allowing Carlos Santana’s game-tying solo home run in the ninth.
- Chad Green (TOR) navigated around Cody Bellinger’s single and stolen base for a scoreless ninth and his 13th save during a 1-0 win in Chicago. Despite allowing a run in three of his previous four appearances, he’s converted all six save chances in August.
- Kyle Finnegan (WSH) gave up a lead-off single and then induced a double play groundout, followed by an inning-ending grounder, preserving a two-run win in Philadelphia for his 31st save.
Vulture Save Options for Monday, August 19
- Tyler Rogers (SFG): Walker logged two innings and threw 35 pitches on Sunday.
- Manuel Rodríguez (TBR): Uceta and Cleavinger have appeared in back-to-back games. Expect fluidity in usage patterns with Fairbanks sidelined.
- Paul Sewald (ARI): Martinez has pitched in two of the last three. Will Sewald receive his first save chance since July?
- Cole Sands (MIN): Durán’s worked in four of the previous five days, and Jax in three of the last four.
- Kris Bubic (KCR): Erceg tossed 28 pitches during a 1.2 inning Sunday.
Vulture Save Stashes for Tuesday, August 20
- David Robertson (TEX): If Yates pitches tonight, it will be consecutive appearances.
- Bryan Abreu (HOU): If Hader pitches today, it will be his second straight outing. Abreu pitched on Saturday and Sunday, so he should be rested on Monday. If not, Tayler Scott would be in line for Tuesday.
What to Watch For (August 19-through-25)
- Arizona Diamondbacks: Torey Lovullo has deployed Justin Martinez as his closer but has not confirmed his role in press conferences. He’s very loyal to veterans, and a strong week by Paul Sewald could propel him back into the “closer” conversation.
- Baltimore Orioles: Seranthony Domínguez has taken over the primary save share. How will the team handle getting there? Dillon Tate and Bruce Zimmerman could be recalled before the end of August. The biggest question remains: can the team help Craig Kimbrel find his first-half form?
- Boston Red Sox: Can the team remain in the mix until Justin Slaten and Liam Hendriks can bolster the bullpen?
- Chicago Cubs: Héctor Neris has a clause in his contract and receives a player option if he appears in 60 games or records a game-finished in 45. Entering this scoring period, he’s pitched in 46 games and finished 33. If the team prefers letting him walk at the end of the season, will Jorge López receive more save chances over the last six weeks?
- Chicago White Sox: Will the team keep using Chad Kuhl in save chances, sparse as they are? Will anyone emerge down the stretch for the closer role in 2025? Should we care?
- Colorado Rockies: Will Victor Vodnik remain the closer despite a negative K-BB percentage in August? He’s posted a 2.04 WHIP and a 6.34 SIERA across 8.1 innings this month.
- Detroit Tigers: Has Jason Foley reclaimed the primary save share for Detroit? He recorded his 16th save and has pitched in the ninth inning in his last three appearances.
- Los Angeles Dodgers: Does Michael Kopech parlay his strong start with the Dodgers into a more prominent leverage role in 2025, too? Should fantasy managers be concerned with his velocity dip on Sunday in St. Louis?
- Milwaukee Brewers: What workload can Devin Williams handle over the last six weeks? Three appearances in four days prove encouraging, but when Trevor Megill returns, will they press this type of usage pattern with “The Airbender” or keep him rested for the postseason?
- Minnesota Twins: With Rocco Baldelli pursuing the division, not just the playoffs, does this keep Cole Sands on the periphery of fantasy value in deeper formats? He’s recorded two wins and two saves since July 22. He’s one of four relievers with at least two wins and two saves in this timeframe: Robert Suarez (three wins, four saves), Joel Payamps (two wins, two saves), and Josh Hader (two wins, seven saves).
- Philadelphia Phillies: Can they get their leverage ladder back on track? It’s been tough sledding in the second half.
- Pittsburgh Pirates: How does David Bednar finish the season? This may determine his fantasy value for 2025. He showed signs in his most recent save while navigating around a bases-loaded situation against Seattle, but can he carry this over for the last six weeks?
- San Francisco Giants: When will the team recall Camilo Doval, and will he receive save opportunities in September? Bob Melvin left the door open for the demoted closer:
- Tampa Bay Rays: With Pete Fairbanks potentially out for the remainder of the season, pending his MRI, we project a match-up-based bullpen with Edwin Uceta, Garrett Cleavinger, Manuel Rodríguez, Colin Poche, and Kevin Kelly in the mix for saves. Here are the team’s Win Probability Added results for the second half through Sunday’s extra-inning win over Arizona:
- Texas Rangers: There have been conflicting reports on how the team will handle the end of the season as its hopes of making the playoffs fade. Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic speculated that the team could put some players on waivers to save money, but Evan Grant, the team’s beat writer for The Dallas Morning News, reported Chris Young does not want to take this route.
Thanks for being a part of the Closer Monkey community. Stay safe and be well.
Statistical Credits:
