Josh

Hader

It looked like Hader would have a quick inning in this one, as he got Dillon Dingler on a bouncer back to the mound and Andy Ibanez on a fly ball to right. Kerry Carpenter followed with a two-out double though and Gleyber Torres then crushed a two-run homer that cut the Astros’ lead to two runs. Not to worry though, as Hader rallied to strike out Zach McKinstry to end it. Hader has been terrific for the Astros and for fantasy managers this season, posting a 1.80 ERA, 0.80 WHIP and a 20/3 K/BB ratio over his first 15 innings while notching a victory and eight saves.

Hader allowed a hit, but was in no danger of blowing the save. He’s up to eight on the season — putting him on pace for 48 on the year — and his ERA is a sparkling 0.64 to go with those saves.

The Blue Jays made Hader sweat by getting the tying run to second base with just one out in the ninth. Hader then slammed the door shut though by retiring Alejandro Kirk and Myles Straw to complete the save. While many other elite closers have stumbled out of the gate, Hader has been lights out with no blown saves and a 0.69 ERA.

Hader came on to get some work with the Astros holding a four-run lead in a non-save situation on Tuesday night. He made quick work of the opposition, striking out Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Andres Gimenez in succession before getting George Springer to fly out to right to end it. Hader has been unbelievable so far this season, registering a 0.75 ERA, 0.58 WHIP and a 15/2 K/BB ratio over 12 innings while notching six saves and a victory.

Hader gave up a double to Jose Iglesias to start the ninth, but he kept Iglesias from advancing. While he didn’t strike anyone out, he still was able to procure his sixth save, and lowered his ERA to 0.82. Because Hader worked Friday and Saturday, there’s a good chance he won’t be available Sunday for the finale.

Hader now has five saves on the season, with this one coming against one of his former clubs. The 31-year-old has given up just one run this season — that one blemish coming in the opener — and his ERA is now a super 0.90 on the 2025 campaign. To say Hader looks better to begin this season compared to last is quite the understatement.

Hader was summoned in the ninth inning to close out the game with a two-run lead. He shut the door on the Cardinals on ten pitches, striking out one batter for his fourth save of the season. The 31-year-old left-hander has been sharp since giving up three runs in his first outing, making six scoreless appearances.

Hader took the mound in the bottom of the ninth with the game tied to try to extend the game. He struck out two batters in a clean frame. Hader returned for the tenth and struck out two more to send it to the 11th. Steven Okert got the save in the 12th inning with a one-run lead.

Hader was brought into a tie game to start the ninth and then stayed in after the Astros took a two-run lead in the 10th. He faced six hitters and retired all of them, striking out three in the process. It’s possible he’ll be available again tomorrow after throwing 29 pitches today, but if not, Bryan Abreu could get a save chance.

The 30-year-old southpaw needed just 13 pitches (nine strikes) to get the job done on Thursday, getting Byron Buxton to foul out to the catcher, Trevor Larnach on a swinging third strike and Ty France on a foul pop to first. He has now successfully converted each of his first three save chances on the season while registering a 3.00 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and a 3/2 K/BB ratio over three frames. He remains one of the game’s truly elite closing options.