Monday’s 11-game slate resulted in four wins (one accompanied by a blown save), seven saves, five losses, and four blown saves by relievers. Here are the saves in condensed form:
There have been 1,122 saves this season by 244 different pitchers. For perspective, this season has already set an MLB record for the number of pitchers with at least one save. Is 250 within reach?
Here are the upcoming vulture save options:
Vulture Save Options for 9.8.2026
- Jacob Waguespack (DET): Jansen, Holton, Kinley, and Sommers have all pitched in back-to-back games.
- Yuki Matsui (SD): Miller, Morejon, and Rodriguez have worked in two straight, three in the previous four.
- Ryan Watson (LAA): Joyce pitched on Monday and has not appeared in consecutive games this season at any level.
Vulture Save Stashes for 9.9.2026
- Aaron Civale (CHC): If Webb and Zeferjahn pitch again today, it will be consecutive contests.
- Nate Pearson (KC): He pitched two innings on Monday, so he will be off today. However, if Cruz pitches tonight, it’s back-to-back appearances.
In case you missed them, sneak previews of potential closer options for both leagues have been posted:
2027 Potential Closers | American League
2027 Potential Closers | National League
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Los Angeles Dodgers
- Jack Dreyer was credited with his 11th hold despite yielding two hits and an earned run while striking out one at the top of the eighth.
- Seth Halvorsen gave up two hits, including a solo home run (Eugenio Suárez), during the top of the seventh.
- Alex Vesia notched his 19th hold, stranding all three inherited runners with an inning-ending strikeout of JJ Bleday.
Locking down his first save of the season and first since May 2, 2025, Evan Phillips fired a clean top of the ninth while striking out two against the Reds, closing out a three-run lead. He threw nine pitches (77.8% strike rate) and produced one whiff (11.1 SwStr%). This extended his scoreless streak to eight games, during which he’s posted a 0.714 WHIP with 10 strikeouts and one walk (34.6 K-BB%) across seven innings.
- Jack Dreyer was credited with his 11th hold despite yielding two hits and an earned run while striking out one at the top of the eighth.
- Seth Halvorsen gave up two hits, including a solo home run (Eugenio Suárez), during the top of the seventh.
- Alex Vesia notched his 19th hold, stranding all three inherited runners with an inning-ending strikeout of JJ Bleday.
This marks four saves by four different Dodgers’ pitchers in the last four games. Dave Roberts may be getting ready for the postseason, relying on matchups while keeping relievers rested down the stretch, putting this bullpen into play for those in deeper formats.
Hierarchy Remains: Tanner Scott | Edgardo Henriquez | Jack Dreyer
Today’s Takeaways
The Cubs’ bullpen struggles continue: An eventful bottom of the eighth ended in a road loss in Milwaukee. Ryan Zeferjahn replaced Matthew Boyd with two runners on and no outs, giving up a go-ahead two-RBI single by Jackson Chourio, walking Brice Turang, and was removed after striking out William Contreras, but was tagged with his fourth blown save. Jacob Webb took over with two runners and one out, walking Jake Bauers, followed by a sacrifice fly, and an inning-ending strikeout of Luis Lara. But the damage was done.
Over the last 30 days, only the Angels, Giants, and Nationals have a lower Win Probability Added than the Cubs’ bullpen. Reinforcements may be on the way in the form of Shelby Miller and Edward Cabrera, but will it be enough in the postseason?
Hierarchy Remains: Jacob Webb | Ryan Zeferjahn | Ryan Rolison
Is there value in Ben Joyce for the rest of the season? Part workload management and part team performance have affected Ben Joyce. He worked a scoreless bottom of the eighth in Boston, allowing a one-out single, though Eli White was thrown out trying to stretch it into a double. He threw 18 pitches (66.7% strike rate) and induced four whiffs (22.2 SwStr%) in this outing, but he has not recorded a save since August 18.
The team may not use him in consecutive games, which caps his save upside, especially given the team’s recent poor performance. Through 144 games, the Angels have the lowest save conversion rate (45.7%) in the majors along with the fewest saves (21). The biggest question may be, can Joyce finish the season with the team lead in saves? He only needs two more.
Hierarchy Remains: Ben Joyce | Ryan Watson | Tayler Saucedo
More turnover for the Giants: After allowing the courtesy runner to score at the top of the tenth, Jason Foley stranded him in the 11th, logging two innings, giving up a hit and a walk, then collected his third win on a walk-off rally at the bottom of the 11th. He threw 34 pitches (20 strikes; 58.8% strike rate) and did not elicit a whiff.
Reiver Sanmartin struck out his only batter, Alec Burleson, stranding two runners at the top of the ninth. Dylan Smith suffered his fourth blown save. He worked around two hits for a scoreless eighth, but in the ninth, two more hits and a walk resulted in an earned run, scoring the game-tying run. He finished with four hits, an earned run, and a walk over 1.2 innings. Trent Harris gave up a hit, an unearned run, and a walk with two strikeouts in the seventh for his fourth hold.
With the leverage ladder stretched thin by talent, it’s forcing Smith into extended appearances with mixed results. Since August 7, he has converted three of six save opportunities with a 1.538 WHIP and a 17:6 K:BB (19.3 K-BB%) across 12 appearances spanning 13 innings.
Updated Hierarchy: Dylan Smith | Trent Harris | Jason Foley
Here are the remaining leverage events of interest from Monday.
American League
Baltimore Orioles – Forced into action with two outs at the top of the ninth, Josh Walker recorded his first career save, inducing a game-ending flyout by Patrick Bailey, throwing seven pitches (4 strikes; 57.1% strike rate) and producing one whiff.
- Andrew Kittredge struggled in a non-save situation, allowing three hits, including a one-out, three-run home run by Nathaniel Lowe during his two-thirds of the ninth inning. He has allowed at least a run in consecutive appearances and multiple hits in three of his last four.
- Rico Garcia stranded a runner while retiring both batters in the eighth.
Hierarchy Remains: Andrew Kittredge | Yennier Cano | Rico Garcia
Boston Red Sox – Sealing a three-run lead and his third save, Garrett Whitlock fired a clean top of the ninth and recorded two strikeouts against the Angels. He threw 15 pitches (60% strike rate) and produced three whiffs (20 SwStr%). It’s his first save since July 12, and he’s been scoreless in his last four appearances.
- Alec Gamboa allowed a hit, an earned run, and a walk while striking out one in the eighth.
- Tyler Olds logged two innings, giving up a solo home run (Moises Ballesteros) and striking out five.
Hierarchy Remains: Aroldis Chapman | Garrett Whitlock | Erik Miller
Detroit Tigers – Working around a leadoff walk, Kenley Jansen induced a flyout, followed by a game-ending double-play groundout by Josh Bell, preserving the one-run lead while recording his 18th save, moving him closer to the 500th of his career (494th). He threw 11 pitches (54.5% strike rate) without a whiff. He has been scoreless in five of his last six outings, converting two of three save chances.
- Drew Sommers navigated around a hit and a walk during a scoreless top of the eighth, securing his 12th hold.
- Jacob Waguespack stranded a runner at the top of the seventh, retiring three of four batters, walking and striking out one for his fifth hold.
- Tyler Kinley stranded a runner in the sixth, but issued two walks while striking out one during his one-third of an inning, though he faced batters in two innings.
Hierarchy Remains: Kenley Jansen | Jacob Waguespack | Drew Sommers
The Athletics – Called on with two runners on and two outs at the top of the eighth, Hogan Harris induced an inning-ending groundout by Nathan Lukes. Back for the ninth, he allowed a game-tying Andrés Giménez solo home run and a two-out walk, resulting in his seventh blown save. However, he collected his fourth win on a walk-off rally at the bottom of the inning, finishing his 1.1 innings with a hit, an earned run, and a walk while striking out one, throwing 25 pitches (76% strike rate) with two whiffs.
- Luis Medina logged 1.2 scoreless innings, yielding a hit and a walk while striking out two for his 11th hold.
Updated Hierarchy: Hogan Harris | Luis Medina | Elvis Alvarado
Quick Hits
- Kansas City Royals: Turning a scoreless game into his fourth loss, Craig Kimbrel allowed five hits, five runs (four earned), and a walk while striking out one at the top of the tenth against Arizona. Steven Cruz worked around two hits and recorded a strikeout in a scoreless ninth. Nate Pearson logged two clean frames, striking out three.
- Toronto Blue Jays: Taking over a tied game at the bottom of the ninth, Louis Varland was not sharp, allowing Max Muncy’s leadoff single and walking Donovan Walton, then retired the next two batters, followed by another walk and a walk-off RBI single by Jeff McNeil, resulting in his fifth loss. Tyler Rogers worked a clean bottom of the eighth, striking out one.
National League
Arizona Diamondbacks – Wrapping up a formerly scoreless contest at the bottom of the tenth, Dennis Santana stranded a runner while retiring both Royals, one via strikeout, for his third save of the season, first as a Diamondback. He threw 11 pitches (54.5% strike rate) without a whiff. His last save was on April 15 with Pittsburgh.
- Gerardo Carrillo created the chaos, allowing two hits, four runs (three earned), and a walk while striking out one during one-third of the tenth inning.
- Justin Martinez collected his second win, walking and striking out one at the bottom of the ninth, throwing 20 pitches (50% strike rate) with three whiffs (15 SwStr%).
- Brandyn Garcia appeared in a third consecutive game, yielding a hit and striking out two in the bottom of the eighth.
Hierarchy Remains: *Juan Morillo | *Brandyn Garcia | *Kevin Ginkel
*= closer-by-committee
Milwaukee Brewers – Despite serving up Pete Crow-Armstrong’s solo home run, Trevor Megill recorded his 27th save in an eventual one-run margin over the Cubs. He threw 11 pitches (72.7% strike rate) without a whiff. This snapped his 15-game scoreless streak and represents the first home run he’s allowed since August 6, 2025.
- Abner Uribe earned his fifth win, retiring the side at the top of the eighth, followed by a three-run rally at the bottom of the inning.
- Aaron Ashby allowed two hits, an earned run, and a walk during the seventh.
- Chad Patrick logged 1.1 scoreless innings, stranding two runners at the top of the fifth.
Hierarchy Remains: Trevor Megill | Abner Uribe | Aaron Ashby
San Diego Padres – Preserving a one-run lead, Mason Miller allowed a one-out single by Dylan Crews with a scoreless top of the ninth, notching his 34th save. He threw 15 pitches (80% strike rate) and produced two whiffs (13.3 SwStr%). He’s adding to his career-best save and strikeout totals this season and is nearing his career highs in appearances (60 in 2025) and innings (65 in 2024).
- Adrian Morejon secured his 23rd hold, retiring the side and striking out one at the top of the eighth.
- Bradgley Rodriguez worked a clean seventh, striking out two for his 12th hold.
- Kyle Hart gave up two hits, including Crews’ two-run home run, at the top of the sixth, but was credited with his eighth hold.
Hierarchy Remains: Mason Miller | Adrian Morejon | Bradgley Rodriguez
St. Louis Cardinals – Tasked with a tied game at the bottom of the 11th, George Soriano recorded an out on a sacrifice bunt, followed by a walk-off RBI single by Shay Whitcomb, resulting in his fourth loss.
Riley O’Brien opened the bottom of the tenth with a one-run lead, intentionally walking Rafael Devers and giving up a game-tying RBI single by Bryce Eldridge, recording an out on a sacrifice bunt, intentionally walking Jung Hoo Lee, and inducing an inning-ending double-play groundout. However, he was charged with his seventh blown save, finishing with a hit, an unearned run, and two walks while throwing six of his 11 pitches (54.5% strike rate) for strikes.
- Ryne Stanek tossed a scoreless ninth, allowing two hits and a walk while striking out one.
- Justin Bruihl retired all four batters, one via strikeout.
Hierarchy Remains: Riley O’Brien | George Soriano | Ryne Stanek
Quick Hits
- Atlanta Braves: In a scoreless contest, Didier Fuentes allowed a two-out solo home run by Kyle Schwarber at the bottom of the eighth, resulting in his second loss. He retired the six other batters he faced, four on strikeouts, throwing 29 pitches (20 strikes; 69% strike rate) while recording six whiffs (20.7 SwStr%).
- Cincinnati Reds: At the bottom of the eighth, Tejay Antone stranded two of three inherited runners, retiring both batters he faced. Ben Williamson suffered his fourth loss as the bulk follower, giving up three hits, six runs (three earned), and five walks with four strikeouts over 4.1 innings.
Holds Tally
Here are the holds from Monday’s slate:
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Statistical Credits: