Although a suspended game in Chicago reduced the slate by one game, it was robust for high-leverage events. Nine relievers recorded a win, including one accompanied by a blown save for Raisel Iglesias (ATL). Eight relievers secured a save, and historically, the Rockies blew another late lead. Our condensed game recaps includes notes on 18 teams from last night’s contests.
Closer CliffsNotes
- Raisel Iglesias (ATL) collected his first win and suffered his third blown save, logging 1.1 scoreless frames. He let his only inherited runner score in the eighth on a Trevor Larnach game-tying RBI single. This outing snapped his consecutive save streak at 20, but he’s been scoreless over his last 16 games with 22 strikeotus against one walk.
- Seranthony Domínguez (BAL) held on for his seventh save despite allowing a one-out hit and a two-out walk, preserving a one-run win against the Dodgers. He did throw 32 pitches during his scoreless outing, which may make him unavailable in tonight’s match-up.
- Kenley Jansen (BOS) finished a win over Toronto on a non-save appearance. He allowed Daulton Varsho’s solo home run in an eventual three-run win. Jansen’s allowed a run in two of his last three appearances.
- Porter Hodge (CHC) entered with a runner on second and two outs in the bottom of the ninth. He responded by striking out Connor Joe, preserving the four-run win in a non-save appearance. He’s been scoreless in his last nine appearances while posting 14 strikeouts against three walks across nine innings.
- Tony Santillan (CIN) took over a bases-loaded situation in the sixth, producing an inning-ending strikeout. In the seventh, things went awry. He allowed two hits, three earned runs, and a walk, resulting in his second loss and first blown save.
- Angel Chivilli (COL) was summoned with two runners on, no outs, and a two-run lead at the top of the ninth. He allowed Jesús Sanchez’s go-ahead three-run home run, resulting in his second loss and a second blown save.
- Jason Foley (DET) preserved a four-run win after stranding two runners with a game-ending groundout, securing his 18th save. He’s been scoreless over his last six appearances, converting a save in three.
- Michael Kopech (LAD) tossed a scoreless top of the ninth with his team down by one. He issued a walk and recorded two strikeouts facing the Orioles 8-9-1-2 hitters.
- Calvin Faucher (MIA) notched his fourth save with a clean bottom of the ninth, striking out the side against the Rockies’ 1-2-3 hitters. This snapped a two-game streak of allowing at least a run, marking his first save since August 18.
- Joel Payamps (MIL) allowed two hits, including Mike Yastrzemski’s go-ahead two-run home run, resulting in his sixth loss and third blown save after taking over a tied game in the top of the seventh.
- Jhoan Durán (MIN) gave up a season-high four runs (three earned) on four hits and recorded a strikeout en route to his eighth loss and third in his last four appearances. He only recorded one out in the top of the tenth against Atlanta.
- Mason Miller (OAK) lost his 11-game scoreless streak but held on his 22nd save. He gave up four hits and two earned runs while striking out two in the bottom of the ninth during a one-run win in Cincinnati.
- David Bednar (PIT) retired the side against the Cubs’ 4-5-6 hitters on 11 pitches (81.8 Strike%) with two whiffs (18.2 SwStr%). He’s been scoreless in four of his last five outings, with five strikeouts against one walk.
- Tanner Scott (SD) appeared for a third straight game and recorded his 20th save, retiring the side in St. Louis while preserving a two-run win. He’s been scoreless in nine of his last ten, collecting a win and securing two saves with eight strikeouts against zero walks.
- JT Chargois (SEA) took over a tied game at the top of the seventh but suffered his first loss and a first blown save, giving up José Siri’s go-ahead two-run home run.
- Ryan Walker (SF) navigated around Willy Adames’ two-out single for a scoreless bottom of the ninth, preserving a one-run win. Through 11 appearances this month, he has allowed one unearned run across 12.2 innings with 24 strikeouts versus two walks while converting all four save opportunities.
- John King (STL) allowed three hits, two earned runs, and a walk during his combined inning of relief between the sixth and seventh innings, resulting in his third loss and second blown save.
- Manuel Rodríguez (TB) recorded his second save, working around a two-out single and striking out one in a scoreless ninth in Seattle, closing out a one-run win. He’s been scoreless in ten of 11 outings in August with two wins and two saves while producing a 13:4 K:BB over 9.2 innings.
- Kyle Finnegan (WSH) held on for his 33rd save, closing out a two-run win over the Yankees. He entered at the top of the eighth and retired his only batter. In the ninth, he allowed a lead-off double, recorded an out in an RBI fielder’s choice groundout, and consecutive singles before inducing successive flyouts. He’s converted his last ten save chances but has a 1.96 WHIP across his last 14.1 innings.
Vulture Save Options for Wednesday, August 28
- Yennier Cano (BAL): Domínguez threw 32 pitches during his outing last night and should be unavailable tonight.
- Michel Otañez (OAK): Miller logged 31 pitches while preserving a save on Tuesday, which should result in him not being used tonight.
- Griffin Jax (MIN): Durán has also appeared in three of the last four, but he’s thrown 60 pitches and should be off in today’s game. Jax has been the team’s most consistent reliever all season and is in line for the save in what feels like a must-win contest. If he’s not used for the save, those in deep leagues can take a chance on Cole Sands.
Vulture Save Stashes for Thursday, August 29
- Joe Jiménez (ATL): If Iglesias pitches tonight, it will be consecutive outings.
Three Takeaways
- Rodríguez earning preferred save share: Recording his second save in four appearances, Manuel Rodríguez closed out a one-run win in Seattle. He’s pitched in the ninth inning over his last four games and been scoreless in 12 of 13 since July 28 with 15 strikeouts against four walks (22.9 K-BB%) with a 0.77 WHIP across 11.2 innings. He’s generated a 14.4 swinging strike percentage while producing a 64.4 strike percentage and a 69.3 percent contact rate allowed. Edwin Uceta has appeared before him in two games, representing the highest-leveraged reliever role Jason Adam filled with Rodríguez taking over Pete Fairbanks’ vacated preferred save option role.
- Durán’s in a rut: Suffering his eighth loss of the year and fourth in the second half, Jhoan Durán allowed four hits and four runs (three earned) during his one-third of the tenth inning against Atlanta. Since the All-Star break, he’s given up at least a run in six of his 14 outings, multiple runs in three, including his last two. Although only eight of the 12 runs scored have been earned, his inflated .472 batting average on balls in play (BAbip) represents some misfortune; fantasy managers cannot ignore his 1.62 WHIP. His 1.87 SIERA and 28.8 K-BB percentage reflect his upside, but he’s thrown 60 pitches over his last four games since Saturday and may need a day or two off for a mental reset. It’s tough benching him, but we must monitor his results closely with September on the horizon while his team vies for a spot in the postseason.
- Doval is still struggling with throwing strikes: It’s been reported by multiple writers that the Giants impacted Camilo Doval after demoting him. His task in the minors was to attack hitters and throw strikes. Since his recall, he’s recorded a hold and a win, but he’s still not working efficiently in the strike zone. Through two appearances, he’s thrown 43 pitches and 22 strikes (51.2 Strike%) with only three whiffs (7 SwStr%), allowing a hit and three walks while striking out four over 1.1 scoreless frames. He may secure an ancillary save, but for those holding out hope that he will reclaim the closer role, it’s unlikely unless his underlying data and strike percentage improve appreciably.
Those seeking full game recaps should surf the team pages; they’ve all been updated with Tuesday’s results.
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