Two rainouts occurred on Tuesday, which adds two doubleheaders to Wednesday’s full slate. In last night’s action, three relievers recorded wins, one on one pitch, and six saves were also secured, two requiring only one out. These events are covered in our condensed recaps.
Closer CliffsNotes
- Gregory Soto (BAL) suffered his fifth loss and second blown save, allowing four hits, including a go-ahead Alejandro Kirk three-run home run, four earned runs, and an intentional walk (Vlad Guerrero Jr.) over one-third of the sixth inning.
- Kenley Jansen (BOS) took over in the bottom of the eighth and retired all four batters, including three on strikeouts, securing a one-run win and his 21st save.
- John Brebbia (CHW) closed out a four-run win in Oakland with a clean bottom of the ninth, helping snap his team’s 21-game losing streak.
- Victor Vodnik (COL) worked around a lead-off hit for a scoreless ninth, securing his sixth save during a three-run win over the Mets. Justin Lawrence took over in the fifth and logged 1.1 scoreless frames for his fourth win.
- Tyler Holton (DET) was summoned with a runner on and two outs. He responded by securing his fourth save, striking out pinch-hitter Mitch Garver and preserving a two-run win in Seattle, extending his scoreless streak to 22 innings.
- Josh Hader (HOU) recorded a one-out save, finishing a combined one-hitter. He allowed a walk and induced a game-ending flyout by Josh Jung, preserving a two-run win over Texas and his 23rd save.
- Carlos Estévez (PHI) finished a four-run win against the Dodgers with a scoreless ninth, allowing a hit and striking out one. He has not received a save chance since being acquired at the trade deadline.
- Bryan Hoeing (SDP) earned his second win, taking over after a prolonged rain delay in Pittsburgh. He logged 3.2 scoreless innings, giving up a hit and a walk while striking out three.
- Ryan Helsley (STL) allowed two hits, an earned run, and a walk while striking out one but held on for his MLB-leading 35th save.
- Chad Green (TOR) nailed down his ninth save with a clean appearance and a strikeout, finishing a three-run win over Baltimore. He also extended his scoreless streak to nine games (11 innings).
Three Takeaways
- Kimbrel and his four-seam fastball: While Brandon Hyde remains non-committal about his team’s leverage roles, Craig Kimbrel appeared with his team down by four in the bottom of the seventh. After recording two quick outs, he turned in a scoreless outing, navigating around a hit batter and a single with an inning-ending groundout. Although he’s been unscored upon through three outings in August, he’s allowed two hits and two walks while striking out four, resulting in a 1.33 WHIP. His last clean appearance was July 5, and in the nine games since, he’s posted a 2.08 WHIP with a 6.5 K-BB percentage and a 4.93 SIERA. Updating his splits by velocity chart with the four-seam and adding his entire season and outings since July 7 results illustrates his recent struggles:
Link: https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/Ypeaw/4/
- From a fantasy perspective, Detroit’s bullpen remains fluid: Shelby Miller’s recent results and a shortage of save chances have made this leverage ladder a non-factor. However, Tyler Holton recorded a one-out save in Seattle. He has secured four saves this season and two of his team’s last three since July 19. He extended his scoreless streak to 22 innings and could see a more significant role in high-leverage events if he stops logging appearances as an “opener.” If Brant Hurter can fill Holton’s multiple-inning role, it would let the southpaw receive more opportunities in the late innings. How this plays out will affect his fantasy upside over the last seven-plus weeks.
- Helsley and fatigue: Following last night’s outing, Ryan Helsley has recorded his second-highest inning total in the majors (48.2). He held on for his 35th save but gave up two hits, an earned run, and a walk against the Rays. Through three appearances in August, he’s let seven of his 15 batters faced reach base (six hits and one walk), resulting in a .389 batting average on balls in play (BAbip). In the second half, he owns a 1.65 WHIP with a 3.99 SIERA and a 13.8 K-BB percentage. It’s not time to panic, but his ratios should be monitored.
Vulture Save Options for Wednesday, August 7
- Ryan Pressly (HOU): Hader appeared for a second straight game and only threw nine pitches. He could be used today for a third consecutive game, but it’s possible Pressly gets the vulture save opportunity in today’s pivotal matchup.
- Dylan Floro (ARI): With a doubleheader on tap, in a sweep, he could be the preferred option in Game 2 for the save chance.
- Kyle Nicolas (PIT): He is the best option for the vulture save in a Pirates sweep.
- Roansy Conteras (LAA): He’s recorded two saves this season and may be called upon in a doubleheader against the Yankees.
- Mark Leiter Jr. (NYY): Representing a likely candidate for a vulture save in a sweep in today’s doubleheader versus the Angels.
Vulture Save Option for Thursday, August 8
Usage patterns and ten teams off on Thursday make this tough to forecast. Good news: Cleveland and Minnesota will play a doubleheader on Friday for those stashing for vulture saves early:
- Griffin Jax (MIN): He could benefit from a save chance in a sweep. Cole Sands will also be in play for a vulture win in a multiple-inning outing in deeper formats.
- Scott Barlow (CLE): If the Guardians pull off a sweep, Barlow could secure a vulture save. Cade Smith represents the vulture win option in a multi-inning outing.
August 6 – Full Recaps
Boston Red Sox – Making his first appearance since July 31, Kenley Jansen took over in the bottom of the eighth and stranded his only runner while retiring all four batters, three via strikeout, for his 21st save. This marked his third multi-inning save this season and fourth multiple-inning outing. He threw 13 pitches (10 strikes – 76.9 Strike%) and produced three whiffs (23.1 SwStr%).
- Luis García was credited with his 12th hold despite giving up two hits and an earned run in two-thirds of the eighth.
- Cam Booser allowed a hit and an earned run during his sixth hold.
- Zack Kelly retired the side and struck out two in the sixth, securing his seventh hold.
- Brennan Bernardino collected his fourth win, stranding two runners and retiring his only batter in the fifth on one pitch.
Hierarchy remains: Kenley Jansen | Lucas Sims | Luis García
Colorado Rockies – Navigating around a lead-off single with three consecutive outs, Victor Vodnik secured his sixth save with a scoreless ninth. He threw 16 pitches (50 Strike%) without a whiff. Since July 6, he’s recorded six saves with 13 strikeouts against five walks while being scoreless in nine of 12 appearances.
- Tyler Kinley fired a clean eighth and recorded two strikeouts for his tenth hold.
- Angel Chivilli worked around two hits for a scoreless seventh and his first hold.
- Justin Lawrence collected his fourth win. He tossed 1.1 scoreless innings and stranded a runner in the fifth despite yielding two hits.
Hierarchy remains: Victor Vodnik | Tyler Kinley | Justin Lawrence
Detroit Tigers – Entering with a runner on and two outs, Tyler Holton recorded his fourth save, striking out pinch-hitter Mitch Garver to preserve a two-run win in Seattle. Holton has been working as an “opener” in recent outings but extended his scoreless streak to 22 innings across 15 appearances with a 0.68 WHIP and three saves since June 29.
- Beau Brieske was credited with his fourth hold. During his two-thirds of the ninth, he allowed a one-out walk and an earned run on a Jorge Polanco single, aided by miscommunication in the outfield.
- Jason Foley notched his seventh hold with a clean eighth while striking out two.
- Will Vest retired the side and recorded two strikeouts for his seventh hold in the seventh inning.
Updated Hierarchy: *Tyler Holton | *Jason Foley | Will Vest
*= closer-by-committee
Houston Astros – Capping a combined one-hitter, Josh Hader issued a walk and retired Josh Jung on a long fly-out to right for his 23rd save. He threw nine pitches (44.4 Strike%) and induced one whiff. He’s been scoreless in 10 of his last 11 appearances with 15 strikeouts against seven walks while converting eight saves.
Hierarchy remains: Josh Hader | Ryan Pressly | Bryan Abreu
St. Louis Cardinals – Hanging on for his 35th save, Ryan Helsley closed out a one-run win over Tampa Bay. His outing began with a lead-off walk and a single. With two outs, Jonny DeLuca produced an RBI single before a game-ending groundout. Helsley finished with two hits, an earned run, and a walk while striking out one on 25 pitches (60 Strike%) with four whiffs (16 SwStr%). He’s converted both save chances this month despite allowing at least a run in two of his last three appearances.
- Andrew Kittredge notched his NL-leading 28th hold, retiring the side and striking out one in the eighth.
Hierarchy remains: Ryan Helsley | Andrew Kittredge | JoJo Romero
Toronto Blue Jays – Shutting the door on his ninth save, Chad Green retired the side and recorded a strikeout, closing out a three-run win over Baltimore. He threw 12 pitches (75 Strike%) and induced one whiff. This extended his scoreless streak to nine games, spanning 11 innings, with nine strikeouts against one walk while converting four saves.
- Génesis Cabrera took over with the bases loaded and no outs in the eighth. He walked his first batter, forcing in a run, then retired the next three batters on two strikeouts and an inning-ending groundout for his fifth hold.
Hierarchy remains: Chad Green | Zach Pop | Génesis Cabrera
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