Brandon Young flirted with a no-hitter into the eighth, only to have Ramón Urías break it up with an infield hit that turned into a throwing error, ending the bid and leaving Houston silent at Daikin Park as Baltimore rolled to a 7-0 win.

Young, in his 11th big-league start, rode a fastball up to 95 mph and a cutter, mixing in a curve, splitter and change to navigate a righty-heavy Houston lineup. He exited after eight innings with 93 pitches, six punch-outs and a 83.7 mph average exit velocity against 19 balls in play. Offensively, the Orioles rewarded him with 14 first-half balls in play that yielded timely hits, including Coby Mayo’s two-out homer in the fourth. The Astros’ bats were quiet, with minimal hard contact through six innings, and Valdez yielded four runs, keeping the door open briefly but Baltimore closed it late. Lance McCullers Jr. showed progress on a Sugar Land rehab, signaling depth moves for Houston as the series opened with a notable pitching duel turned one-sided in the Orioles’ favor.

As the trade deadline approaches, significant changes in MLB bullpens are occurring, especially with injuries and potential trades impacting closer roles. With Felix Bautista of the Baltimore Orioles sidelined due to shoulder discomfort, Seranthony Dominguez and Gregory Soto have emerged as primary save options. Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Dodgers are leaning on Alex Vesia and Kirby Yates after Tanner Scott's injury, while the Arizona Diamondbacks are facing turmoil with their closer situation. Similarly, the Miami Marlins' Ronny Henriquez seems secure in his role amidst minor trade talks. The Texas Rangers are experiencing a messy bullpen due to injuries, but Robert Garcia and Jon Gray could see increased save opportunities. Fantasy managers should take note of these volatile situations to scoop potential saves as the trade deadline approaches.

In fantasy baseball leagues that include holds as a scoring category, making informed decisions during draft day becomes crucial. Identifying pitchers who can consistently contribute holds involves targeting teams poised for victory and having a defined closing option. Notably, holds can be secured by multiple players, as long as the entering pitcher maintains the team's lead without being the final pitcher in the game.

As the 2025 season approaches, several pitchers stand out as potential leaders in holds. Bryan Abreu of the Houston Astros, who led the league with 38 holds last season, is projected to continue his dominance. Yennier Cano from the Baltimore Orioles and Griffin Jax of the Minnesota Twins also showcase strong potential for accumulating holds this season.

Jorge Lopez, the former All-Star closer for the Baltimore Orioles, has officially signed with the Washington Nationals on a one-year contract worth $3 million, as reported by Jon Heyman. With a career spanning nine years, Lopez has showcased versatility by playing for multiple teams, including the Milwaukee Brewers, Kansas City Royals, and Minnesota Twins.

Lopez's time with the Orioles from 2020 to 2022 included a standout All-Star season as the team's closer. During his tenure, he saved 19 games in 2022, marking his most successful season. Following his trade to the Twins, the Orioles have since developed their bullpen around Felix Bautista, who also made the All-Star roster in 2023. Despite the Nationals' fourth-place finish in the National League East, Lopez may seize the opportunity to take on a closing role.