Thursday’s 9-game slate produced six wins, four saves, two losses, and three blown saves by relievers. Here are the saves in condensed form:
There have been 1,187 saves this season by 250 different pitchers. For perspective, this season has already set an MLB record for the number of pitchers with at least one save.
Here are the upcoming vulture save options:
Vulture Save Options for 9.18.2026
- Ryan Watson (LAA): Joyce pitched last night and has not appeared in consecutive games this season.
- José Alvarado (PHI): Duran has appeared in two straight games and could work in three, but if he does not, Alvarado could be in line.
- Robert Garcia (TEX): Latz has thrown 42 pitches while appearing in two of the last three days.
Vulture Save Stash for 9.19.2026
- A.J. Blubaugh (HOU): If Hader and Abreu pitch tonight, it’s back-to-back games in three in four days.
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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Capping his team’s rally, Garrett Whitlock sealed a one-run lead, issuing a one-out walk, then inducing a game-ending double-play groundball by Jake Burger for his fourth save. He threw 12 pitches (66.7% strike rate) and produced three whiffs (25 SwStr%). He’s been scoreless in his last seven appearances, recording a win, two saves, and four holds while posting a 0.45 WHIP with nine strikeouts and one walk (38.1 K-BB%) across 6.2 innings.
Aroldis Chapman was not available with a lingering lat issue. He has not appeared in a game since September 13.
- Alec Gamboa secured his second hold, allowing a hit during two-thirds of the eighth.
- Tyler Olds collected his second win, stranding a runner during two-thirds of the seventh and retiring his only batter faced in the eighth while recording one strikeout.
Hierarchy Remains: Aroldis Chapman | Garrett Whitlock | Erik Miller
Today’s Takeaways
An Airbender update: Although the tweet was vague, Devin Williams could be activated as soon as today:
It’s encouraging to see his willingness to return; once he appears in a game, his role may become clearer.
Joyce’s struggles continued: Although he gave up two hits and a walk while letting the courtesy runner score at the top of the tenth, Blake Weiman picked up his first win on a walk-off rally at the bottom of the inning. Ben Joyce began the ninth with a two-run lead and recorded consecutive strikeouts. However, with two outs, he allowed Victor Caratini’s single, followed by Walker Jenkins’ game-tying two-run home run, and an inning-ending strikeout, resulting in his third blown save. The home run was on a center-cut four-seam fastball:
He threw 21 pitches (13 strikes; 61.9% strike rate) and produced five whiffs (23.8 SwStr%). He has allowed at least a run in three of his last four appearances, converting two of four save opportunities. It’s hard enough hoping he receives a save chance when he’s available, but he has a 1.801 WHIP with 10 strikeouts and eight walks over his last nine appearances, spanning 8.1 innings. Ryan Watson has been the better reliever in recent contests.
Hierarchy Remains: Ben Joyce | Ryan Watson | Tayler Saucedo
Here are the remaining leverage events of interest from Thursday.
American League
Chicago White Sox – Summoned at the top of the seventh with two runners on and two outs, Grant Taylor stranded them by inducing an inning-ending groundout by Dillon Dingler, then finished off the two-run lead, working 2.1 scoreless innings, securing his ninth save. He finished with two hits and two walks while striking out one, throwing 35 pitches (19 strikes; 54.3% strike rate) with four whiffs (11.4 SwStr%). This marked his first save in September and snapped his four-game streak of giving up at least a run.
- Jordan Hicks gave up a hit and a walk while striking out two during two-thirds of the seventh for his ninth hold.
- Bryan Hudson collected his fifth win, stranding two runners in the fifth and working 1.1 scoreless frames, yielding a hit and striking out one.
Hierarchy Remains: *Grant Taylor | *Bryan Hudson | Hagen Smith
*= closer-by-committee
Houston Astros – Closing out a four-run lead over the Royals, Josh Hader retired the side on 14 pitches (11 strikes; 78.6% strike rate) with two whiffs (14.3 SwStr%). He has been scoreless in six of his seven appearances in September, converting five saves while posting a 0.429 WHIP with seven strikeouts and no walks (29.2 SwStr%) over seven innings.
- Bryan Abreu stranded a runner, retiring his only batter faced via a strikeout, notching his 16th hold.
- Ethan Pecko logged 5.2 innings as a bulk follower, giving up three hits and an earned run while striking out four for his first hold.
- Bryan King was awarded his third win, stranding a runner at the top of the first and retiring all four batters, striking out one.
Hierarchy Remains: Josh Hader | Bryan Abreu | A.J. Blubaugh
Minnesota Twins – Entering with two runners on and one out, Kody Funderburk gave up Wade Meckler’s walk-off RBI single. Yoendrys Gómez was tagged with his fourth loss and a second blown save. He opened the bottom of the tenth with a one-run lead, but walked Zach Neto with one out, followed by a game-tying RBI single by Mike Trout, prompting his removal. He finished with a hit, two runs (one earned), and a walk during one-third of an inning. He’s allowed multiple runs in three of his last four appearances.
- Jeff Hoffman stranded a runner, walking and striking out one in one-third of the ninth.
- A.J. Minter recorded two strikeouts and yielded a hit during two-thirds of the ninth.
- Andrew Morris fired a clean eighth, striking out two.
Hierarchy Remains: *Yoendrys Gómez | *Jeff Hoffman | *A.J. Minter
*= closer-by-committee
Texas Rangers – Summoned with two runners on and no outs at the top of the eighth, Jacob Latz retired Adley Rutschman on a pop-out, then gave up Trevor Story’s go-ahead three-run home run, scoring both inherited runners and putting an earned run on his ledger. He retired the next two batters, but was charged with his third loss and a fourth blown save.
- Jakob Junis stranded a runner in the seventh, recording an out, then issued a walk and hit a batter at the top of the eighth, prompting his removal. He finished with two earned runs during one-third of an inning while being credited with his 18th hold.
- Robby Ahlstrom allowed two walks and an earned run during two-thirds of the seventh while being awarded his seventh hold.
- Chase Silseth stranded a runner despite giving up a hit and striking out two during two-thirds of the sixth for his 17th hold.
Hierarchy: Jacob Latz | Jakob Junis | Robert Garcia
Quick Hits
- Detroit Tigers: During an eventual loss, Ty Madden worked two scoreless innings, allowing a hit and striking out one. Jacob Waguespack gave up a hit and struck out two in a scoreless sixth inning. The team also placed Kyle Finnegan on the 15-day injured list, ending his season.
- Tampa Bay Rays: Finishing off a nine-run lead against the A’s, Alex Cook fired a clean top of the ninth, striking out two. Steven Matz worked a scoreless eighth and recorded two strikeouts.
National League
Completing a combined shutout, Jhoan Duran navigated around Bo Bichette’s leadoff single with a flyout, followed by back-to-back strikeouts, securing his 32nd save. He threw 14 pitches (9 strikes; 64.3% strike rate) and racked up four whiffs (28.6 SwStr%). He’s matched a career-high in saves set last year, and will set a new mark with his next one.
- Tim Mayza stranded an inherited runner, walking one and recording an out at the bottom of the eighth for his second hold.
- Jonathan Bowlan notched his 14th hold, walking one and striking out two during his two-thirds of the bottom of the eighth.
Hierarchy Remains: Jhoan Duran | Jonathan Bowlan | José Alvarado
Pittsburgh Pirates – Taking over with a runner on and two outs at the top of the eighth, Mason Montgomery walked Brice Turang, then recorded an inning-ending strikeout of Luis Lara. Returning for the ninth, he issued a one-out walk and struck out one, finishing off a three-run lead for his 14th save. He finished with 1.1 scoreless innings, walking and striking out two while throwing 29 pitches (17 strikes; 58.6% strike rate) with three whiffs (10.3 SwStr%). This extended his scoreless streak to 22 games, during which he’s posted a 0.656 WHIP with 32 strikeouts and six walks (32.1 K-BB%) across 21.1 innings.
- Luke Weaver gave up three hits and two earned runs during his two-thirds of the eighth, credited with his 22nd hold.
- Camilo Doval allowed a hit and recorded two strikeouts in a scoreless seventh, securing his eighth hold.
- Gregory Soto let his only inherited runner score, giving up a hit during two-thirds of the sixth.
- Khristian Curtis collected his second win, yielding a hit, an earned run, and three walks while striking out three over 3.1 innings.
Hierarchy Remains: Mason Montgomery | Luke Weaver | Gregory Soto
Quick Hits
- Colorado Rockies: Deployed during an eventual seven-run loss, Jordan Romano issued a walk and recorded two strikeouts in a scoreless top of the ninth. Brennan Bernardino fired a clean eighth, striking out two.
- Los Angeles Dodgers: Entering at the bottom of the fifth, Landon Knack earned his first win, scattering four hits and striking out two across four scoreless innings against the Reds.
- Milwaukee Brewers: Appearing in an eventual loss, Garrett Stallings logged three scoreless frames, giving up a hit and a walk while striking out six.
Holds Tally
Here are the holds from Thursday’s slate:
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Statistical Credits: