Mason

Miller

Miller came on to preserve a one-run lead in the final frame and managed to work around a one-out single from Dylan Crews by striking out CJ Abrams before getting Brady House to ground out to end it. He’s converted 34 of 36 save opportunities and has 113 strikeouts across 61 1/3 innings. He’s the best closer in the fantasy landscape and it might be a while before anyone else even enters the conversation.

Miller notched his 33rd save in 35 tries. He’s up to 111 strikeouts in 60 1/3 innings. The next highest total among relievers is 105 in 76 2/3 innings from Aaron Ashby.

It looks like Miller was going to pick up the loss after he gave up an RBI single to Spencer Jones in the top of the 10th. That run was unearned because it was the inherited extra runner, and he struck out four while lowering his ERA to 1.21 and picking up his fifth win of the season.

The fly ball traveled into the shallow left-field corner and was in Samad Taylor’s glove before going over the wall, tying the game at three. San Diego then took a one-run lead in the 11th before Tampa Bay scored two in the bottom half to walk it off. Miller struck out two in his lone inning without walking anyone. He has a career-high 32 saves already this year, along with one of the 10 highest K-BB rates among qualified relievers since 2010.

Miller didn’t allow a hit and struck out a hitter while not issuing a walk. He’s now given up only one run in August, after giving up just one run in July after giving up, well, you get it. Miller has been nothing short of dominant in his first full season as the closer of the Padres, and is now up to 32 saves and down to a 0.83 ERA.

It unfortunately came in a game where the Padres had a four-run lead, so Miller’s brilliance did not come with a save. It’s still three more punchouts from the sensational 27-year-old, and it lower his ERA to a miniscule 0.84.

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.