Saturday’s slate resulted in nine wins, six saves, six losses, and six blown saves by relievers. Here are the saves in condensed form:
There have been 1,156 saves this season by 247 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 9.13.2026
- Bryan Hudson (CHW): Taylor threw 38 pitches over 1.2 innings yesterday.
- Adrian Morejon (SD): He went three in a row between September 6 and 8 and has thrown fewer pitches than Miller’s 44 in the previous two games.
- Ryan Watson (LAA): Joyce has not worked in back-to-back games this season.
Vulture Save Stashes for 9.14.2026
- Spencer Miles (TOR): If Varland and Rogers pitch today, it’s two straight appearances.
- Brock Burke (CIN): If Pagán is used today, it’s consecutive contests.
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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Preserving a one-run lead while striking out Bryan Reynolds, Ryan Zeferjahn notched his sixth save of the season, second with Chicago, recording a one-out save. He threw six pitches (50% strike rate) and produced one whiff (16.7 SwStr%).
- Ryan Rolison collected his ninth win, logging 1.2 scoreless innings while giving up a hit. He was removed after retiring Oneil Cruz and Brandon Lowe at the top of the ninth with a runner on.
- Jacob Webb stranded all three runners in the sixth and logged 1.1 scoreless innings, walking and striking out one.
After Webb suffered three blown saves in his previous six appearances before this one, Craig Counsell deployed a matchups-based approach in this game, resulting in a one-run win. Zeferjahn and Rolison will be in play for saves over the next two weeks, and there could be a wild card in the mix soon, according to this post by Jordan Bastain of MLB.com:
It is a haughty comparison, and fantasy players can watch it play out. Edward Cabrera has easy velocity and could thrive as a reliever, but he’s learning on the fly, which may require patience. Here is his Statcast box from his outing at Triple-A on September 9:
Stay tuned, but this bullpen’s roles may remain unsettled in the upcoming scoring period.
Updated Hierarchy: *Ryan Zeferjahn | *Ryan Rolison | *Jacob Webb
*= closer-by-committee
Today’s Takeaways
Another blown save for O’Brien: Once again, it was a rally with two outs and in a two-strike count that befell Riley O’Brien. His outing started with Kyle Teel drawing a walk, followed by consecutive strikeouts, and Randal Grichuk’s go-ahead two-run home run, resulting in his eighth loss and an eighth blown save. He threw 21 pitches (13 strikes; 61.9% strike rate) and recorded five whiffs (23.8 SwStr%). He has given up at least a run in four of his six appearances in September.
Taking this a step further, since May 1, he has a 0-7 record and has converted 28 of 34 save opportunities through 47 games, spanning 44.2 innings. He’s recorded a 1.433 WHIP with a 5.24 ERA, a 4.44 SIERA, and a 6.25 xERA. If his saves are banked, avoid the ratio risk over the last two weeks of the season.
Hierarchy Remains: Riley O’Brien | Ryne Stanek | George Soriano
A revamped Rangers bullpen: As the first reliever deployed in Arizona, Robert Garcia garnered his first win, retiring the side and striking out one at the bottom of the fifth, throwing 16 pitches (62.5% strike rate) with one whiff. Nathan Eovaldi tossed 2.2 innings, giving up four hits and an earned run while striking out two in the 20th relief outing of his career, his first this season. Jacob Latz sealed the four-run lead with 1.1 clean innings, striking out two. He threw 18 pitches (11 strikes; 61.1% strike rate) and generated six whiffs (33.3 SwStr%). He has not recorded a save since September 1.
Updated Hierarchy: Jacob Latz | Jakob Junis | Robert Garcia
Here are the remaining leverage events of interest from Saturday.
American League
Boston Red Sox – Finishing off a four-run margin over the Royals, Aroldis Chapman worked around a leadoff walk by retiring the next three batters. He threw 16 pitches (11 strikes; 68.8% strike rate) without a whiff. He has been scoreless in nine of his last ten appearances, posting a 0.70 WHIP with 15 strikeouts and three walks (32.4 K-BB%) while recording a win and six saves.
- Garrett Whitlock nailed down his 25th hold, striking out the side at the top of the eighth.
Hierarchy Remains: Aroldis Chapman | Garrett Whitlock | Erik Miller
Chicago White Sox – Completing his team’s come-from-behind rally, Bryan Hudson shut the door on his eighth save, retiring the side and striking out one while preserving a one-run lead in St. Louis. He threw 14 pitches (71.4% strike rate) and induced one whiff. This extended his scoreless streak to nine appearances, spanning 10 innings, during which he’s posted a 0.60 WHIP with seven strikeouts and no walks (20.6 K-BB%), recording a win, three saves, and a hold.
- Jordan Hicks stranded two runners despite issuing a walk during one-third of the eighth, then was awarded his third win courtesy of a rally at the top of the ninth.
- Grant Taylor logged 1.2 innings, allowing three hits, including a go-ahead solo home run by Leo Bernal, and issued a walk while striking out three after entering at the bottom of the seventh.
- Hagen Smith fired two clean frames, striking out three, over the fifth and sixth innings.
Updated Hierarchy: *Grant Taylor | *Bryan Hudson | Hagen Smith
*= closer-by-committee
Los Angeles Angels – Tasked with a tied score at the bottom of the tenth, José Fermin issued Daylen Lile an intentional walk, then allowed the game-winning run to score on a fielder’s choice grounder, resulting in his third loss.
Ben Joyce could not protect a one-run lead, walking José Tena leading off the ninth, recording a strikeout against James Wood, followed by a game-tying RBI single by Andrés Chaparro, then retiring the next two batters. He was charged with his second blown save and has allowed a run in his last two appearances. He threw 23 pitches (13 strikes; 56.5% strike rate) and did not produce a whiff.
Updated Hierarchy: Ben Joyce | Ryan Watson | Samy Natera Jr.
Minnesota Twins – Benefiting from a matchups-based approach, A.J. Minter lined up against Cleveland’s 6-7-8 lineup pocket, facing two left-handed hitters, and retired the side while recording two strikeouts for his first save. He threw 16 pitches (9 strikes; 56.3% strike rate) without a whiff. This marks his first save since May 12, 2024.
- Jeff Hoffman issued a one-out walk and recorded three strikeouts at the top of the eighth, securing his 19th hold, throwing 16 pitches (62.5% strike rate) with two whiffs.
- Kody Funderburk notched his 12th hold, giving up a walk and a runner reaching on one of his three strikeouts during two-thirds of the seventh.
- Andrew Morris retired all three batters between the sixth and seventh innings for his 22nd hold.
It remains to be seen if this was a day off for Yoendrys Gómez after his rough outing on Friday, or a trend towards a matchups-based approach for the remainder of the season.
Updated Hierarchy: *Yoendrys Gómez | *Jeff Hoffman | *A.J. Minter
*= closer-by-committee
Tampa Bay Rays – Summoned at the top of the eighth with a runner on second base and two outs, Bryan Baker worked around an infield single with an inning-ending strikeout against Daulton Varsho. He returned for the ninth and retired the side, securing his 40th save and second requiring four or more outs this season. He threw 20 pitches (55% strike rate) and produced two whiffs, recording his third consecutive scoreless appearance this month.
- Ty Johnson allowed a walk and struck out one during two-thirds of the eighth for his first hold.
- Tyler Wells worked a scoreless seventh, walking one and striking out two, collecting his fifth win.
Hierarchy Remains: Bryan Baker | Tyler Wells | Kevin Kelly
Toronto Blue Jays – Closing out a four-run lead, Louis Varland tossed a scoreless top of the ninth, working around an error and striking out two. He threw 14 pitches (11 strikes; 78.6% strike rate) and racked up four whiffs (28.6 SwStr%).
- Tyler Rogers worked a clean eighth, striking out one.
- Paul Sewald and Mason Fluharty each allowed an earned run during two-thirds of an inning.
- Spencer Arrighetti collected his eighth win, yielding two hits, an unearned run, and two walks while striking out two over 2.2 innings.
- Spencer Miles was the opener and logged two scoreless frames, allowing a hit and two walks while striking out five.
Hierarchy Remains: Louis Varland | Tyler Rogers | Spencer Miles
Quick Hits
- Cleveland Guardians: Suffering his first loss, Franco Aleman gave up five hits, four earned runs, and struck out one during two-thirds of the bottom of the third.
- Detroit Tigers: Capping his team’s rally at the bottom of the eighth, Kenley Jansen retired the side and struck out two against the Rockies, sealing a four-run lead. He threw 19 pitches (11 strikes; 57.9% strike rate) and induced one whiff. He has been scoreless in his last four games. Beau Brieske was awarded his first win, giving up two hits, including a solo home run (Ezequiel Tovar), and striking out two over 1.2 innings.
National League
Colorado Rockies – Things went awry at the bottom of the eighth. Jordan Romano let all three inherited runners score, taking over with no outs. He walked in consecutive runs while facing Spencer Torkelson and Ben Malgeri, gave up a sacrifice fly, and, with one out, Hao-Yu Lee’s two-RBI triple, putting two earned runs on his ledger. Romano was charged with his fifth blown save, finishing with a hit, two earned runs, and two walks. He has allowed multiple runs in two of his last three appearances.
- Jaden Hill opened the eighth with a three-run lead but allowed four hits, resulting in five earned runs and a walk en route to his fourth loss.
- Brennan Bernardino logged two scoreless innings, scattering two hits and striking out two for his 13th hold.
There aren’t many other options in this bullpen, and if Romano is struggling, it doesn’t bode well for the next two weeks.
Hierarchy Remains: Jordan Romano | Brennan Bernardino | Jaden Hill
Miami Marlins – Hanging on for his 19th save, Pete Fairbanks issued a two-out walk, with the runner advancing on defensive indifference, and scoring on an RBI single by Hunter Feduccia, before inducing a game-ending lineout against Will Smith. He threw 22 pitches (12 strikes; 54.5% strike rate) and produced three whiffs (13.6 SwStr%) in his first appearance since his return from the injured list.
- Michael Petersen secured his 24th hold, retiring the side and striking out one in the eighth.
- Calvin Faucher gave up a hit during a scoreless seventh for his 16th hold.
- Tyler Zuber worked a scoreless sixth, walking and striking out one, for his ninth hold.
- Cade Gibson stranded a runner in the fourth and retired all four batters faced, earning his fourth win.
Updated Hierarchy: Pete Fairbanks | Michael Petersen | Calvin Faucher
San Diego Padres – Sealing a one-run lead and recording his 36th save, Mason Miller fired a clean bottom of the ninth, striking out two in San Francisco. He threw 17 pitches (9 strikes; 52.9% strike rate) and produced four whiffs (23.5 SwStr%). This marks four saves in his last four appearances, all scoreless, with multiple strikeouts in each.
- Adrian Morejon took over at the bottom of the eighth and retired the side while striking out two for his 25th hold.
- Bradgley Rodriguez had a rough outing, allowing three hits, including two home runs, resulting in three earned runs without retiring a batter in the eighth.
Hierarchy Remains: Mason Miller | Adrian Morejon | Bradgley Rodriguez
Washington Nationals – Forced into action at the top of the ninth, Jack Sinclair produced an inning-ending groundout by Zach Neto. After his team rallied, he returned for the tenth and navigated around a walk while striking out one, stranding the courtesy runner. He collected his first win on a walk-off rally at the bottom of the inning. He threw 21 pitches (13 strikes; 61.9% strike rate) and induced two whiffs.
- Will Dion began the ninth with a walk, a leverage mortal sin, followed by Denzer Guzman’s game-tying RBI double, then conceded the lead following a wild pitch and a sacrifice fly, prompting his removal. He was charged with his second blown save, and the team’s MLB-record 39th this season.
Over the next two weeks, Riley Cornelio could get more high-leverage work, along with Sinclair and Dion, with next year’s roles on the line. Stay tuned.
Hierarchy Remains: *Clayton Beeter | *Erik Tolman | Yovanny Cruz
*= closer-by-committee
Quick Hits
- Cincinnati Reds: Appearing in an eventual four-run loss, Emilio Pagán fired a clean bottom of the eighth and recorded a strikeout in Milwaukee. It was his first outing in five days. He threw 14 pitches (9 strikes; 64.3% strike rate) and induced a whiff.
- Milwaukee Brewers: Called on at the top of the fourth, Chad Patrick logged 1.1 scoreless innings, yielding a hit and striking out four, earning his ninth win. He threw 22 pitches (15 strikes; 68.2% strike rate) and generated six whiffs (27.3 SwStr%) while facing the Reds.
- Philadelphia Phillies: Forced into a bullpen game, Brooks Raley suffered his seventh loss and his second in two days. He gave up two hits, three earned runs, and a walk while striking out two during two-thirds of the bottom of the fourth.
- Pittsburgh Pirates: Entering with a one-run lead at the bottom of the eighth, Gregory Soto lacked command, giving up a leadoff double and recording two outs, then hitting a batter, followed by consecutive walks, scoring the game-tying run. Then, with the bases loaded and two outs, he hit Nico Hoerner, forcing in the eventual game-winning run. He finished with a hit, two earned runs, two hit batters, and two walks, resulting in his fifth loss and a sixth blown save.
Holds Tally
Here are the holds from Saturday’s slate:
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Statistical Credits: