Hader earned the save Thursday after giving up one run on two hits and one walk in the ninth inning to close out a 3-1 win against the Mets. He struck out two.

EDGE Analysis

Entering the ninth inning up three runs, Hader found himself in immediate trouble after giving up back-to-back singles before allowing a walk to load up the bases. He steadied himself by punching out Hayden Senger, and after giving up a sacrifice fly to Francisco Lindor, Hader managed to close things out by striking out Juan Soto. It took Hader 35 pitches to come away with the Opening Day save, which will affect his availability out of the bullpen Friday and Saturday.

Hader worked this offseason on limiting his movements before his windup in an effort to not tip his pitches, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Houston failed to make the ALCS for the first time in eight years, with Hader giving up a three-run double to Andy Ibanez as the Tigers were able to break open Game 2 of the American League Wild Card Series and eliminate the Astros early. During the regular season, Hader logged a 3.80 ERA, 0.96 WHIP, 105 strikeouts and 34 saves in 71 innings. In addition to trying to cut down on any pre-windup tells, Hader said he is working on making his changeup a bigger part of his arsenal, although that's something he's wanted to do for years, by his own admission, so it's too early to say this will actually be the year he's not mostly a two-pitch guy (sinker, slider). Regardless of whether he has a more reliable third pitch, Hader should once again rank near the top of the majors in saves and strikeouts among relievers.

Hader struck out three over 1.1 perfect innings to earn the save in Tuesday's 4-3 win over the Mariners.

EDGE Analysis

Hader stranded runners on the corners he inherited from Ryan Pressly in the eighth inning before pitching a perfect ninth for the save. Over his last seven outings, Hader has gone 5-for-7 in save chances while picking up a win and a loss in that span. He's been scored on in five of his last 13 outings and now has a 3.60 ERA, 0.93 WHIP and 104:24 K:BB with 34 saves in 38 chances over 70 innings this season.

Hader (8-8) allowed four runs on three hits and two walks while recording one out Sunday. He blew a save chance and took the loss against the Angels.

EDGE Analysis

Hader entered a 6-5 game in the ninth inning and couldn't finish off the win. He walked Taylor Ward with the bases loaded to tie the game before Zach Neto ripped a bases-clearing double. Hader has been streaky this season but had allowed just three earned runs since the start of August before Sunday's hiccup. His ERA jumped up to 3.67 with a 101:24 K:BB through 68.2 innings.

Hader struck out two in a perfect ninth inning Friday to record his 33rd save of the season in a 9-7 win over the Angels.

EDGE Analysis

The Houston closer has been dominant to close out the regular season, striking out multiple batters in eight of his last 15 appearances while posting a 1.69 ERA, 0.56 WHIP and 22:4 K:BB through 16 innings over that stretch. Hader has reached triple-digit strikeouts on the season for the fourth time in his career, and he's produced at least 33 saves in four straight campaigns.

Hader picked up the save in a win over the Angels on Thursday, striking out one over a perfect ninth inning.

EDGE Analysis

Hader entered the contest with a two-run lead in the bottom of the ninth and fanned Logan O'Hoppe on three sliders before needing just four pitches to retire the final two batters. It was the southpaw's 32nd save of the campaign and he's now recorded at least one strikeout in six-consecutive appearances. It was also a nice bounceback performance for Hader after being charged with his third blown save of the campaign in his previous outing. He now carries a 2.57 ERA in September to go along with a 9:2 K:BB and three saves.

Hader (8-7) was charged with a blown save but got the win over the Padres on Tuesday after striking out two over 1.1 scoreless innings.

EDGE Analysis

Hader relieved Ryan Pressly with two outs and a runner on third in the eighth and allowed Fernando Tatis to score on a wild pitch to tie the game before recording the third out. Hader made quick work of the Padres in the ninth and wound up with the win after the Astros scored in the 10th and held off the Friars in the bottom of the frame. Tuesday was Hader's first time recording more than three outs since Aug. 14 and he's now punched out multiple batters in three of his last four appearances. The 30-year-old left-hander has posted a 3.26 ERA, 0.90 WHIP and 98:22 K:BB in 66.1 innings this season while racking up 31 saves.

Hader allowed a hit and struck out one without being charged with a run over two-thirds of an inning to earn the save in Sunday's 6-4 win over the Angels.

EDGE Analysis

Hader inherited a bases-loaded situation with one out and let all three inherited runners score, but he was able to avoid a total collapse. Caleb Ferguson was charged with all three runs, so Hader was able to log his third scoreless outing over five appearances in September. The closer has 31 saves in 33 chances this year while pitching to a 3.32 ERA, 0.92 WHIP and 96:22 K:BB through 65 innings.

Hader struck out two in a perfect ninth inning Friday to record his 30th save of the season in a 5-3 win over the Angels.

EDGE Analysis

The veteran closer picked up his first save in September to notch 30 in a season for the fifth time in his career. Hader is having a bit of a bumpy finish to the regular season, getting tagged for at least one run in four of his last seven appearances, but on the season he still sports a 3.36 ERA, 0.92 WHIP and dominant 38.2 percent strikeout rate. The 30-year-old sits just five saves away from 200 for his career, a mark he could still reach with a hot couple weeks to wrap up 2024.

Hader picked up the save in a win over the Royals on Thursday, striking out one over a perfect ninth inning.

EDGE Analysis

Hader took over in the top of the ninth after the Astros had just taken a three-run lead on a four-run rally in the eighth. He then needed just 10 pitches to retire the side and secure his 29th save of the campaign, putting the veteran lefty on the cusp of his fifth consecutive 30-save season. Hader hasn't allowed an earned run in August while posting a 15:5 K:BB for the month.