Mason Miller strikes out side in non-save situation

It’s actually Miller’s first perfect inning in six tries this month, but it’s probably too early to say that he’s slipping. He’s tied for third in the majors in save, four behind Bryan Baker for the lead.

Miller walked William Contreras with two outs, throwing his final pitch of the at-bat to the backstop, but instead of seeing if he might remain wild, the Brewers had pinch-runner Brandon Lockridge try to take second and saw him caught stealing to end the game. Miller reached 30 saves for the first time in his career. He had 28 in 55 appearances as a rookie two years ago and 22 last year after becoming a setup man for Robert Suarez with the trade to the Padres.

Miller hit Christian Walker to start the ninth inning. A wild pitch moved him into scoring position and Yainer Diaz drove him in to bring the Astros within a run with two outs. Then Miller got Lamonte Wade Jr. to ground out to end the game. It was his 29th save of the season. Miller’s ERA jumped up to 0.91, showing just how dominant he’s been overall this season.

Miller apparently was hurt after entering the game in the eighth, but he was still throwing smoke in the ninth. It doesn’t look like it’ll turn into any sort of significant issue.

Miller came in to procure a four-out save, but he gave up an RBI double to Osleivis Basabe to tie the game at 5-5. It wasn’t his run so his ERA isn’t affected, but it is the first time that Miller has blown a save in 2026. He was excellent in the top of the ninth, however, and a walk-off single from Jake Cronenworth gives Miller a victory to help make up for the blown save. The 27-year-old is the subject of many a trade rumor, but wherever Miller pitches, he’s the best reliever in fantasy baseball.

Passan notes that the Brewers are involved in the bidding for Tarik Skubal and are certainly looking to add starting pitching depth, but they could pivot to add Miller and trust that young starters like Shane Drohan, Robert Gasser, and/or Brandon Sproat can pitch 4-5 innings before turning the game over to a dominant bullpen.

Miller got a victory Tuesday, giving him three saves and a win over the last six days. The Padres have used him on three straight days once this year, that happening back in April, so maybe they’d be willing to have him close Thursday against the Giants. If not, then Adrian Morejon could get a chance.

Miller was summoned in the top of the ninth with the game tied against the Rockies. He retired all three batters on swinging strikes, punching out the side before the Padres walked it off in the bottom of the frame to give Miller the win. It was his third win of the season to go with 27 saves, a 0.81 ERA, 0.81 WHIP, and an 83/15 K/BB ratio across 44 2/3 innings.

Miller’s save was his 27th of the season. He retired the side in order in a perfect ninth inning that was capped off by a strikeout of Joe Mack to end the game. Miller has an 0.82 ERA and is perfect on save opportunities this season.

This guy is simply different. It took him just 11 pitches to sit the Marlins down here. Seven of those 11 were fastballs and the slowest of which was 100.6 mph. That’s now 26 saves on the season without a single blown opportunity and if he really is on the trade block, his value just keeps going up.