Saturday’s 17-game slate yielded six reliever wins and 11 saves, while relief pitchers suffered six losses. Here are the saves in condensed form:
For the save streamers:
Vulture Save Options for September 21
- Matt Brash (SEA): Andrés Muñoz has pitched in three consecutive games.
- Tony Santillan (CIN): Emilio Pagán has appeared in back-to-back games and in three of the previous four.
- Kyle Finnegan (DET): Will Vest has been struggling in recent outings, including yesterday’s blown save and loss.
- Ronny Henriquez (MIA): Calvin Faucher threw 28 pitches during a save on Saturday and has pitched in three of the previous four games.
- Clayton Beeter (WSH): Jose A. Ferrer logged two innings, throwing 43 pitches yesterday.
Here are the leverage events of interest from Saturday.
Leverage Ledger
Arizona Diamondbacks – Torey Lovullo’s wheel-of-save chances extended the team’s MLB record with a 17th reliever recording a save for the team this season. John Curtiss worked around Bryson Stott’s two-out single with a game-ending groundout against Harrison Bader, preserving a one-run lead for his first save of the season and first since 2020. He threw 17 pitches (70.6% strike rate) without a whiff.
- Ryan Thompson stranded two runners, retiring his only batter in the eighth for his 17th hold.
- Brandyn Garcia gave up two hits and recorded a strikeout during two-thirds of the eighth, recording his second hold.
Updated Hierarchy: *John Curtiss | *Ryan Thompson | *Brandyn Garcia
*= closer-by-committee
Atlanta Braves – Capping his team’s ninth-inning rally, Raisel Iglesias shut the door on his 27th save, retiring the side in Detroit, preserving a one-run lead. He threw 12 pitches (83.3% strike rate) and induced two whiffs (16.7 SwStr%).
He has been scoreless in 22 of his last 23 appearances, converting all 16 save opportunities while posting a 0.609 WHIP with 22 strikeouts versus four walks (21.9 K-BB%) across 23 innings. His 14 saves since the trade deadline are tied with Jhoan Duran for first among all qualified relievers.
- Dylan Dodd tossed a clean bottom of the eighth, then collected his first win courtesy of a two-run rally at the top of the ninth.
- Pierce Johnson let his only inherited runner score, giving up a two-run home run by Spencer Torkelson during one-third of the seventh.
- Dylan Lee allowed a hit and an earned run, striking out two in two-thirds of the seventh.
Hierarchy Remains: Raisel Iglesias | Tyler Kinley | Dylan Lee
Boston Red Sox – Capping his team’s go-ahead rally at the top of the ninth, Aroldis Chapman notched his 31st save, issuing a walk and striking out one during a scoreless outing in Tampa Bay. He threw 27 pitches (75% strike rate) and produced three whiffs (11.1 SwStr%).
He has been scoreless in his last three games, converting both save chances.
- Garrett Whitlock collected his seventh win, giving up a hit and striking out one during a scoreless bottom of the eighth.
- Justin Slaten let his only inherited runner score, yielding a hit and recording an out in the seventh, resulting in his third blown save.
- Justin Wilson was credited with his 19th hold despite allowing a hit, two earned runs, and a walk during his two-thirds of the seventh.
Hierarchy Remains: Aroldis Chapman | Garrett Whitlock | Greg Weissert
Cincinnati Reds – Securing his 29th save, Emilio Pagán navigated around Matt Shaw’s two-out double with a game-ending strikeout of Seiya Suzuki, finishing a three-run lead. He threw 13 pitches (69.2% strike rate) and induced two whiffs (15.4 SwStr%).
He’s been scoreless in his last six, posting a 0.67 WHIP with seven strikeouts versus one walk (27.3 K-BB%) over his last seven innings while converting all three save chances.
- Tony Santillan stranded both inherited runners, retiring both batters, one via strikeout, at the top of the eighth for his 31st hold.
- Chase Burns allowed three hits and an earned run while striking out one during his 1.1 innings, getting credit for his first hold.
- Graham Ashcraft worked a clean sixth, notching his 19th hold.
Hierarchy Remains: Emilio Pagán | Tony Santillan | Nick Martinez
Detroit Tigers – Handed a one-run lead at the top of the ninth, Will Vest suffered his fifth loss and seventh blown save, giving up four hits, two earned runs, and recording two strikeouts during two-thirds of the inning.
He has allowed multiple hits and multiple runs in consecutive appearances. He has not recorded a clean outing since August 23, a span of eight games, during which he has yielded 16 hits over his last 8.1 innings while issuing six walks versus four strikeouts, resulting in a 1.928 WHIP.
- Rafael Montero issued a walk and stranded both inherited runners, inducing an inning-ending fly out by Ronald Acuña Jr.
- Kyle Finnegan gave up his first earned run as a Tiger on a solo home run by Nacho Alvarez Jr., issued a walk, and recorded two strikeouts while recording his second hold.
Updated Hierarchy: *Kyle Finnegan | *Will Vest | Tyler Holton
*= closer-by-committee
Kansas City Royals – Sealing a one-run lead, Carlos Estévez allowed a one-out single while recording three fly outs and his MLB-leading 41st save. He threw 13 pitches (76.9% strike rate) and produced one whiff.
Through six appearances this month, he has posted five saves while allowing one earned run and a 1.228 WHIP with two strikeouts versus two walks across 5.2 innings.
- Taylor Clarke issued a walk during a scoreless eighth, securing his fifth hold.
- John Schreiber walked one and retired one for his 20th hold at the top of the seventh.
Updated Hierarchy: Carlos Estévez | John Schreiber | Angel Zerpa
Los Angeles Angels – Navigating around traffic, Luis García recorded his second save while preserving a combined shutout in Coors Field. His outing included a one-out single by Mickey Moniak, followed by Hunter Goodman’s single and a walk, loading the bases. García bore down and induced a game-ending double play groundout by Jordan Beck. He threw 16 pitches (50% strike rate) and produced two whiffs (12.5 SwStr%).
- José Fermin secured his fifth hold, retiring the side and striking out one at the bottom of the eighth.
Hierarchy Remains: Kenley Jansen | Luis García | Brock Burke
Los Angeles Dodgers – While winning a World Series last year, Dave Roberts did not have defined roles for his relievers; instead, he used lanes for matchups. This may be recurring with the playoffs on the horizon. Jack Dreyer retired the side and recorded a strikeout against the 2-3-4 lineup pocket, preserving a two-run lead for his fourth save. He threw 15 pitches (66.7% strike rate) and produced two whiffs (13.3 SwStr%).
- Will Klein fired a clean eighth, striking out the side on 16 pitches (62.5% strike rate) with three whiffs (18.8 SwStr%), securing his first hold.
- Justin Wrobleski stranded two runners while retiring both batters in the seventh, notching his seventh hold.
- Kirby Yates gave up Rafael Devers’ solo home run and two walks during one-third of the seventh, getting credit for his 15th hold.
Updated Hierarchy: *Tanner Scott | *Alex Vesia | *Jack Dreyer
*= closer-by-committee
Miami Marlins – Another white-knuckle ride for Calvin Faucher ended in his 15th save. However, he allowed a lead-off home run by Kyle Higashioka, a one-out single by Josh Jung, and a two-out walk before inducing a game-ending flyout by Joc Pederson. Faucher threw 28 pitches (46.4% strike rate) and only produced one whiff.
- Ronny Henriquez fired 1.1 clean frames, striking out three for his 25th hold.
- Tyler Phillips allowed a hit during two-thirds scoreless in the seventh, resulting in his eighth hold.
- Cade Gibson logged two scoreless frames, walking one and striking out two, earning his fourth win.
Hierarchy Remains: *Calvin Faucher | *Ronny Henriquez | *Tyler Phillips
*= closer-by-committee
Milwaukee Brewers – Maintaining a tie score at the bottom of the ninth, Jared Koenig returned for the tenth, retiring the side and striking out one, preserving his sixth win. He threw 16 pitches (75% strike rate) and induced two whiffs (12.5 SwStr%) during his two clean frames while recording one strikeout.
He owns an eight-game scoreless streak, during which he has recorded this win and two saves with a 0.44 WHIP and 15 strikeouts against one walk (45.2 K-BB%) in his last nine innings.
- Abner Uribe fired a clean eighth, striking out two on 17 pitches (58.8% strike rate) with three whiffs (17.6 SwStr%).
- Aaron Ashby logged 2.2 scoreless innings, scattering four hits and striking out one.
As for Trevor Megill:
From a fantasy perspective, he’s not worth using in a weekly lineup format during the last scoring period.
Hierarchy Remains: *Abner Uribe | *Jared Koenig | Aaron Ashby
*= match-up-based bullpen
Pittsburgh Pirates – Locking down his 14th save, Dennis Santana finished a combined shutout while striking out one during a clean top of the ninth versus the A’s. He threw 10 pitches (60% strike rate) and induced one whiff.
This marked his first save since September 3, and extended his scoreless streak to seven games, during which he has a 0.286 WHIP with eight strikeouts versus one walk (30.5 K-BB%) through seven innings.
- Braxton Ashcraft fired three clean frames and recorded six strikeouts for his fourth hold.
Updated Hierarchy: Dennis Santana | Isaac Mattson | Kyle Nicolas
San Diego Padres – In order of appearance, Adrian Morejon took over at the bottom of the fifth and stranded an inherited runner while tossing 1.1 scoreless frames, yielding a hit and a walk. He collected his MLB-leading 13th win as a reliever for his efforts.
- Jeremiah Estrada fired a clean seventh and recorded two strikeouts for his 30th hold.
- Mason Miller tossed a scoreless eighth, walking one and striking out two.
- Robert Suarez closed out the contest, giving up a solo home run (Lenyn Sosa) during the bottom of the ninth in a non-save appearance. He has allowed three home runs over his last seven games.
Hierarchy Remains: Robert Suarez | Mason Miller | Adrian Morejon
Seattle Mariners – Appearing in a third straight game for the first time this season, Andrés Muñoz navigated around a hit batter and a walk with a game-ending double play flyout, caught by Victor Robles, hanging on for his 37th save. He threw 14 pitches (57.1% strike rate) and produced four whiffs (28.6 SwStr%) while striking out one.
This extended his scoreless streak to eight games, during which he has converted all six save opportunities with a 0.625 WHIP and 15 strikeouts against two walks over eight innings.
- Gabe Speier stranded two runners, striking out his only batter in the eighth for his 24th hold.
- Eduard Bazardo gave up two hits and struck out two during two-thirds of the seventh, getting credit for his 12th hold.
Hierarchy Remains: Andrés Muñoz | Matt Brash | Gabe Speier
Washington Nationals – Preserving a two-run lead at the bottom of the 11th, PJ Poulin recorded his first career save, stranding the “place” runner while retiring the side and striking out one against the Mets. He threw 12 pitches (58.3% strike rate) without a whiff.
- Sauryn Lao collected his first win, working around a lead-off bunt single at the bottom of the tenth, with a double play groundout and an inning-ending flyout, ahead of his team’s two-run rally at the top of the 11th.
- Jose A. Ferrer took over in the eighth and could close out a three-run lead, allowing four hits, three earned runs, and a walk while striking out four during his two-inning appearance, resulting in his third blown save while throwing 43 pitches.
- Clayton Beeter bounced back with a scoreless seventh, yielding a hit and striking out one for his seventh hold.
Updated Hierarchy: *Jose A. Ferrer | *Clayton Beeter | *PJ Poulin
*= closer-by-committee
Quick Hits
- Chicago Cubs: Taking over at the bottom of the fifth, Drew Pomeranz suffered his second loss, giving up two hits, including Spencer Steer’s go-ahead solo home run, and recorded two strikeouts.
- Cleveland Guardians: (Game 1) – Completing a combined shutout, Kolby Allard logged two innings, allowing a hit and a walk while striking out two. (Game 2) – Wrapping up another combined shutout, Zak Kent retired the side and recorded two strikeouts at the bottom of the ninth.
- Houston Astros: In an eventual loss, Bryan Abreu fired a clean top of the ninth, striking out one on 11 pitches (63.6% strike rate) with one whiff.
- New York Mets: Tasked with the top of the 11th, Tyler Rogers allowed an inside-the-park home run (Daylen Lile), putting two runs (one earned) on his ledger, along with his sixth loss of the season. Edwin Díaz worked a clean top of the tenth, striking out one on seven pitches, all strikes, generating four whiffs (57.1 SwStr%). Apparently, this game was not a priority since he was not used for another inning despite the low pitch count.
- New York Yankees: Finishing a five-run lead at Baltimore, David Bednar retired the side and recorded a strikeout on six pitches, all strikes, with one whiff (16.7 SwStr%). Luke Weaver tossed a clean eighth, striking out two.
- San Francisco Giants: With the score tied at the bottom of the sixth, Joel Peguero suffered his first loss, allowing five hits, including two home runs, and three earned runs over his 1.2 innings.
- St Louis Cardinals: Entering a tied game at the top of the ninth, JoJo Romero stranded an inherited runner, but suffered his sixth loss, letting the “place” runner score during the top of the tenth on a two-out RBI single by Brice Turang. Romero finished with a hit and an unearned run during his 1.2 innings. Riley O’Brien tossed 1.1 scoreless innings, walking and striking out one.
- Tampa Bay Rays: After working two scoreless frames, Jesse Scholtens returned for the ninth and allowed three runs (one earned) en route to his first loss. Across his outing, he gave up five hits and a walk while striking out three.
- Toronto Blue Jays: In an eventual one-run loss, Jeff Hoffman issued a walk during a scoreless bottom of the eighth, throwing 19 pitches (57.9% strike rate) with two whiffs.
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