Josh

Hader

Hader was given the ball in a 2-2 game and then got the win after the Astros walked it off in the bottom of the ninth. He’s 3-0 and a perfect 18-for-18 saving games, and it’d be a big surprise if he fails to become an All-Star for the sixth time next month.

Hader came on with a two-run lead to protect in the ninth and immediately gave one back on a solo blast off the bat of Mike Tauchman. He then rebounded to get the next two hitters before giving up a two-out double to Miguel Vargas to put the tying run in scoring position. Not to worry though as he struck out Austin Slater on a called third strike to end the ballgame. He has been as good as ever this season, registering a 1.55 ERA, 0.79 WHIP and a 45/7 K/BB ratio over 29 innings while converting each of his first 18 save opportunities.

Josh Hader had tossed a scoreless ninth inning with two strikeouts to send the game to extras. Sousa got the save chance after Houston took a two-run lead in the top of the tenth, putting Hader in line for the win. Sousa worked around a walk, stranding two runners with two strikeouts to convert his first save.

The 31-year-old southpaw needed just 12 pitches (nine strikes) to get the job done in this one, getting Carlos Santana on strikes, Daniel Schneemann on a ground ball to second base and Gabriel Arias on a swinging third strike to end it. For the season, Hader holds an outstanding 1.33 ERA, 0.70 WHIP and a 41/6 K/BB ratio over 27 innings to go with 17 saves in 17 opportunities.

Hader is tied for third in the majors in saves. Of the 24 relievers with at least eight saves, he and Kenley Jansen are the only ones yet to take a blown save.

Hader struck out two in a perfect ninth inning to pick up his 15th save. The 31-year-old left-hander lowered his ERA to 1.44 in the process. Hader is still one of the elite closers in fantasy baseball this year.

He walked the other. Hader has gone five straight appearances without allowing a run. He has a 35/6 K/BB and a 1.50 ERA in 24 innings this season.

Hader was summoned in the ninth to close out the game with a one-run lead against the Mariners. He worked around one hit, striking out the side to slam the door on Seattle for his 13th save of the season. The 31-year-old left-hander has posted a 1.57 ERA, 0.78 WHIP, and a 32/5 K/BB ratio across 23 innings.

Hader got the call to protect a one-run lead in the final frame after throwing 17 pitches on Sunday to pick up a save against the division-rival Rangers. He got into trouble right away when dynamic rookie speedster Chandler Simpson was put on base by a catcher’s interference call. He got Curtis Mead to ground out before Simpson stole third base, putting the potential tying run 90 feet away with only one out. He managed to retire both Taylor Walls and Ben Rortvedt to somehow escape the frame unscathed and preserve the victory.

Hader didn’t allow a single baserunner while striking out two in the outing. He now has 11 saves on the season to go along with a 1.80 ERA. He has maybe been the steadiest reliever in fantasy right now.