Wednesday’s slate resulted in six wins (one accompanied by a blown save), eight saves, five losses, and three blown saves by relievers. Here are the saves in condensed form:
There have been 1,138 saves this season by 245 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 9.10.2026
- No recommendations
Vulture Save Stashes for 9.11.2026
- Carmen Mlodzinski (PIT): If Montgomery and the rest of the leverage triumvirate pitch today, it will be back-to-back games.
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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Shutting the door on his 11th save, Mason Montgomery fired a clean bottom of the ninth and recorded two strikeouts, closing out a two-run lead over the White Sox. He threw 17 pitches (13 strikes; 76.5% strike rate) without a whiff. His scoreless streak has reached 19 games, during which he has recorded three wins while converting all nine save chances, posting a 0.60 WHIP with 29 strikeouts and four walks (36.8 K-BB%) across 18.1 innings. This stretch continues to move him up in the 2027 preseason rankings.
- Luke Weaver gave up three hits and an earned run while striking out one for his 19th hold in the eighth inning.
- Yohan Ramírez stranded all three inherited runners, inducing an inning-ending double play for his ninth hold during the seventh.
- Gregory Soto notched his 12th hold, giving up a hit and striking out two in a scoreless sixth.
- Carmen Mlodzinski retired the side in the fifth, securing his fifth hold.
- Brandon Eisert earned his third win, logging 2.1 clean frames and striking out five.
Hierarchy Remains: Mason Montgomery | Luke Weaver | Gregory Soto
Today’s Takeaways
It’s not the September of George: Forced into action with two runners on and two outs at the bottom of the eighth, George Soriano let both score, giving up a single, followed by back-to-back doubles, putting two earned runs on his ledger before an inning-ending groundout, resulting in his fifth loss and an eighth blown save. In his last nine games, he owns a 2.849 WHIP while giving up nine earned runs over 6.2 innings.
Adjusted Hierarchy: Riley O’Brien | Ryne Stanek | Luis Gastelum
Edwin cleared his first hurdle, but: According to Katie Woo, if Edwin Díaz appears in back-to-back games, he could be back by Sunday:
However, in last night’s outing, he issued two walks and recorded a strikeout while giving up an earned run. He threw 10 of his 22 pitches for strikes (45.5% strike rate):
He did increase his four-seam velocity, but with mixed results:
If he does return, what does a soft landing look like? And more importantly, how does it impact roles over the last two weeks of the season?
Hierarchy Remains: Tanner Scott | Edgardo Henriquez | Jack Dreyer
Here are the remaining leverage events of interest from Wednesday.
American League
Baltimore Orioles – Forced into action at the top of the eighth, Rico Garcia stranded both inherited runners with a groundout and a strikeout. He returned for the ninth and navigated around two hits with a game-ending strikeout, securing his seventh save, preserving a four-run margin. He threw 24 pitches (83.3% strike rate) and produced three whiffs (12.5 SwStr%). This marked his first save since August 21, and it should be noted that Andrew Kittredge was warming up when two runners were on base during the top of the ninth.
- Yennier Cano created the save opportunity, giving up a hit and a walk while retiring one batter at the top of the eighth.
- Josh Walker stranded a runner in the sixth and retired all four batters, notching his fourth hold.
Updated Hierarchy: Andrew Kittredge | Rico Garcia | Josh Walker
Detroit Tigers – Replacing Keider Montero at the top of the fifth, Tyler Holton logged two clean frames and recorded two strikeouts, collecting his second win. He has been scoreless in his last eight appearances, posting a 0.965 WHIP over 9.1 innings.
- Tyler Kinley allowed two hits and struck out one during two-thirds of the seventh for his 14th hold.
- Drew Sommers stranded two runners at the top of the seventh and retired all four batters, three on strikeouts, securing his 13th hold.
- Kyle Finnegan finished off a five-run lead, yielding a hit during a scoreless top of the ninth.
Hierarchy Remains: Kenley Jansen | Jacob Waguespack | Drew Sommers
Kansas City Royals – After opening the top of the ninth with a leadoff single, followed by a walk, Nate Pearson produced a strikeout and a game-ending double-play groundout by Ketel Marte, preserving a three-run lead for his fourth save. He threw 19 pitches (10 strikes; 52.6% strike rate) and induced one whiff. He has been scoreless in his last nine outings, posting a 0.883 WHIP with 10 strikeouts and four walks across 11.1 innings.
- Craig Kimbrel gave up two hits and struck out one in a scoreless eighth for his third hold.
- Anthony Gose allowed a hit during a scoreless seventh, securing his first hold.
- Jose Cuas navigated around a hit and a walk while striking out one in a scoreless sixth for his fourth hold.
Hierarchy Remains: *Steven Cruz | *Nate Pearson | Craig Kimbrel
*= closer-by-committee
Los Angeles Angels – The good news is that Ben Joyce moved into a three-way tie for his team’s lead in saves, securing his fourth during a win in Boston. However, he issued Jarren Duran a one-out walk, who then moved up to second on defensive indifference, and eventually scored on a two-out RBI single by Nate Eaton. Joyce bore down, getting a game-ending flyout against Roman Anthony. He threw 22 pitches (13 strikes; 59.1% strike rate) and induced two whiffs while striking out one. This snapped his two-game scoreless streak and represents his first save since August 18.
- Samy Natera Jr. gave up a hit and struck out one in a scoreless eighth for his fifth hold.
- Tayler Saucedo stranded a runner, striking out his only batter in the seventh, notching his seventh hold.
- Ryan Watson allowed a hit during two-thirds scoreless in the seventh for his sixth hold.
Updated Hierarchy: Ben Joyce | Samy Natera Jr. | Ryan Watson
Seattle Mariners – Despite issuing Jake Burger a leadoff walk, Andrés Muñoz locked down his 26th save, retiring the next three batters, including consecutive strikeouts, securing a one-run lead over Texas. He threw 16 pitches (62.5% strike rate) and racked up five whiffs (31.3 SwStr%). He has been scoreless through four games in September and recorded a save in his last two appearances.
- Gabe Speier gave up Corey Seager’s solo home run and struck out one at the top of the eighth, recording his 19th hold.
- Seranthony Domínguez notched his seventh hold, walking and striking out one in a scoreless top of the seventh.
Updated Hierarchy: Andrés Muñoz | Gabe Speier | Seranthony Domínguez
Quick Hits
- Houston Astros: Things went awry for Bryan King at the bottom of the sixth. He allowed three hits and four runs (three earned) without recording an out, resulting in his fifth loss and a fifth blown save. A.J. Blubaugh let all three inherited runners score, giving up Kyle Schwarber’s go-ahead grand slam, putting two earned runs on his ledger, and a walk while striking out one during one-third of the sixth.
- Toronto Blue Jays: As the bulk follower, Michael Lorenzen suffered his 12th loss, giving up four hits, including a two-run home run by Henry Bolte, and issuing a walk while striking out two over 2.2 innings.
National League
New York Mets – Forced into action at the bottom of the ninth, Tobias Myers stranded an inherited runner despite giving up Javier Sanoja’s single, retiring the next two batters, one on a strikeout, sealing a one-run margin for his second save. He threw 11 pitches (72.7% strike rate) and generated five whiffs (45.5 SwStr%). Since his recall this month, he has collected a win, and this save across two scoreless appearances.
- Nate Lavender had a rough outing, allowing four hits and three earned runs during one-third of the ninth.
- Jonathan Pintaro gave up three hits and two earned runs in the eighth.
- Daniel Duarte was awarded his second win, along with his first blown save, letting all three inherited runners score at the bottom of the sixth. He finished with two hits, an earned run, and a walk while striking out two over 1.2 innings.
Hierarchy Remains: Kodai Senga | Dedniel Núñez | Nate Lavender
San Francisco Giants – Capping his team’s six-run rally at the bottom of the eighth, Trent Harris recorded his first career save, working around José Fermin’s leadoff single with a double-play groundout by Jordan Walker, followed by a game-ending groundout, sealing the one-run lead. He threw six pitches (83.3% strike rate) without a whiff. He has allowed one unearned run over his last nine games, posting a 0.80 WHIP with 11 strikeouts and three walks across 10 innings.
- Matt Wilkinson collected his first win, tossing two scoreless innings, yielding a hit and striking out two.
Hierarchy Remains: Dylan Smith | Trent Harris | Joel Kuhnel
Quick Hits
- Arizona Diamondbacks: Entering at the bottom of the fifth in Kansas City, Mike Soroka allowed three hits, three earned runs, and a walk while striking out four, resulting in his fifth loss.
- Miami Marlins: It was another rough outing for Josh Ekness. He did not record an out at the top of the seventh, hitting a batter with a pitch and issuing two walks, all of which eventually scored, putting three earned runs on his ledger along with his third loss.
- Milwaukee Brewers: Pressed into action with three runners on and one out at the top of the ninth, Abner Uribe let all three score, allowing Nico Hoerner’s RBI single and Michael Conforto’s two-out, two-RBI double, before producing a game-ending strikeout of BJ Murray Jr., wrapping up an eventual two-run margin.
- Philadelphia Phillies: Sealing a four-run lead, Jhoan Duran fired a clean top of the ninth and recorded two strikeouts against Houston’s 9-1-2 hitters. He threw 14 pitches (9 strikes; 64.3% strike rate) and produced three whiffs (21.4 SwStr%).
- San Diego Padres: Entering at the top of the third with the bases loaded and one out, Kyle Hart thwarted the threat, retiring all seven batters he faced, recording one strikeout and his first win. David Morgan issued a walk during one-third of the fifth, getting credited with his second hold.
Holds Tally
Here are the holds from Wednesday’s slate:
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Statistical Credits: