Friday’s slate produced seven wins (one accompanied by a blown save), nine saves, seven losses, and six blown saves by relievers. Here are the saves in condensed form:
There have been 1,196 saves this season by 251 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 9.19.2026
- Abner Uribe (MIL): Megill has pitched in three of the previous four games.
- Garrett Whitlock (BOS): With Chapman likely unavailable, he’s the preferred play in this bullpen.
Vulture Save Stash for 9.20.2026
- Ryan Watson (LAA): If Joyce pitches today, he has pitched in consecutive games this season.
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 38th save, Cade Smith fired a clean top of the ninth while striking out two, closing out a two-run lead over the A’s. He threw 14 pitches (9 strikes; 64.3% strike rate) and generated three whiffs (21.4 SwStr%). His scoreless streak reached nine games, during which he has three wins and four saves while posting a 0.364 WHIP with 18 strikeouts and two walks (42.1 K-BB%) across 11 innings. He’s peaking at the perfect time for a reliever, with the playoffs on the horizon.
- Hunter Gaddis retired the side in the eighth, securing his 30th hold.
- Joey Cantillo earned his tenth win as the bulk follower, logging six scoreless frames, giving up two hits and a walk while striking out five.
Fueled by its bullpen, the Guardians have taken a one-game lead in the American League Central and improved their odds of winning the division. According to Baseball-Reference, entering today’s game, Cleveland has a 52.1 percent chance of winning versus the White Sox at 47.9 percent.
Hierarchy Remains: Cade Smith | Hunter Gaddis | Erik Sabrowski
Today’s Takeaways
Edwin’s back: Apparently, a six-run lead is a soft landing spot for Edwin Díaz during his return from the injured list. He gave up a two-out single by Andrew Knizner and recorded two strikeouts in a scoreless top of the ninth, throwing 17 pitches (12 strikes; 70.6% strike rate) with two whiffs. Tanner Scott notched his 13th hold, retiring the side and striking out one at the top of the eighth. Kris Bubic worked a scoreless seventh, giving up a hit and striking out one for his first hold.
A five-run outburst at the bottom of the eighth removed the save opportunity, but it should be noted that the team was using a matchups-based approach with Scott facing the top of the lineup for the Giants.
For now:
Hierarchy Remains: Tanner Scott | Evan Phillips | Alex Vesia
Aroldis’ lat issue: Aroldis Chapman has not appeared in a game since Sunday. He discussed his injury and a potential timeline in this NESN video. The initial timeline was the next homestand, but the veteran closer maintained day to day approach to his availability. Regardless, Garrett Whitlock is a preferred streaming option for the remainder of the season because the Red Sox will manage Chapman’s workload preceding the playoffs.
Atlanta’s trust tree only contains two relievers? Finishing off a four-run lead in Houston, Raisel Iglesias fired a clean bottom of the ninth, striking out the side on 11 pitches (10 strikes; 90.9% strike rate) with four whiffs (36.4 SwStr%). Didier Fuentes notched his 18th hold, giving up two hits, an earned run, and a walk while striking out three across the seventh and eighth innings.
Through 16 games in September, the team has eight wins, four saves, and three holds. Iglesias has recorded four saves, and Fuentes has three holds. It’s going to be difficult getting through a playoff series relying on two relievers, especially since Fuentes has logged two innings in three of his last five appearances.
Hierarchy Remains: Raisel Iglesias | Didier Fuentes | Dylan Lee
Here are the remaining leverage events of interest from Friday.
American League
Baltimore Orioles – Entering with a runner on and one out at the top of the tenth, Andrew Kittredge stranded him, retiring both batters, one via strikeout. Grant Wolfram let his only inherited runner score in the ninth and recorded one out in the tenth, giving up two hits and an unearned run for his fourth loss.
- Rico Garcia stranded two runners in the eighth, issuing a walk before an inning-ending flyout. Returning for the ninth, he recorded a strikeout before yielding a single and an RBI double, prompting his removal and resulting in two earned runs during his two-thirds of an inning.
- Josh Walker allowed two walks and struck out one in two-thirds of the eighth.
- Yennier Cano turned in a scoreless seventh, walking and striking out one.
The team may activate Félix Bautista by Monday, but it’s not certain. Ryan Helsley has not pitched since a rehab outing at Triple-A last Saturday. Of the two, Bautista has a higher probability of making an appearance in the last week of the season, but it would be an audition for next year, not in high-leverage situations based on his time missed.
Hierarchy Remains: Rico Garcia | Andrew Kittredge | Josh Walker
Boston Red Sox – Hanging on for his fifth save, Erik Miller opened the bottom of the ninth with a three-run lead by allowing a leadoff single, followed by a strikeout, uncorking a wild pitch moving the runner to second, followed by a walk with another wild pitch, and a fielder’s choice groundout that scored a run. After issuing Junior Caminero a walk, Miller bore down, retiring the next two batters, preserving a two-run margin. He threw 32 pitches (17 strikes; 53.1% strike rate) and induced three whiffs, finishing with a hit, an earned run, and two walks while striking out two.
- Greg Weissert logged two scoreless innings, yielding a hit and striking out one for his eighth hold.
- Tyler Olds stranded a runner while issuing two walks and striking out one in one-third of the sixth inning for his first hold.
Hierarchy Remains: Aroldis Chapman | Garrett Whitlock | Erik Miller
Chicago White Sox – Summoned at the top of the seventh with two outs, Sean Newcomb stranded two inherited runners. However, in the eighth, he gave up two hits and a walk, resulting in three earned runs, his fifth loss, and a third blown save.
Bryan Hudson could not stem the tide, giving up four hits and two earned runs of his own, letting an inherited runner score during one-third of the eighth.
- Before this fateful inning, Jordan Hicks was credited with his tenth hold, walking two and striking out one during two-thirds of the seventh.
- Chris Murphy allowed two hits and an earned run while striking out one in the sixth for his second hold.
- Hagen Smith tossed a scoreless fifth, walking one and striking out three.
Hierarchy Remains: *Grant Taylor | *Bryan Hudson | Hagen Smith
*= closer-by-committee
Detroit Tigers – Moving within three saves of 500 for his career, Kenley Jansen nailed down his 21st save, retiring the side and striking out one against the White Sox. He threw 10 pitches (70% strike rate) and produced one whiff. He has been scoreless in his last six appearances, recording four saves while posting a 0.375 WHIP with five strikeouts and two walks across 5.1 innings.
- Drew Sommers collected his second win, retiring all six batters, five via strikeout.
- Tyler Kinley logged 1.1 scoreless innings.
Hierarchy Remains: Kenley Jansen | Jacob Waguespack | Drew Sommers
Minnesota Twins – Completing a combined shutout and securing his third save, Travis Adams retired the side against the Angels at the bottom of the ninth. He threw 10 pitches (70% strike rate) and produced one whiff. He posted his last save on June fifth.
- Tommy Nance navigated around two hits and a walk while striking out two for his seventh hold at the bottom of the eighth.
Hierarchy Remains: *Yoendrys Gómez | *Jeff Hoffman | *A.J. Minter
*= closer-by-committee
Seattle Mariners – Sealing a one-run lead and his 28th save, Andrés Muñoz worked around Cole Carigg’s leadoff single with a strikeout, a caught stealing at third base, followed by a game-ending strikeout. He threw 17 pitches (11 strikes; 64.7% strike rate) and induced two whiffs (11.8 SwStr%). Through eight games in September, he has been scoreless in seven, recording a 1.091 WHIP with nine strikeouts and three walks over 7.1 innings, converting four of five save opportunities.
- Carlos Vargas stranded two runners while retiring his only batter in the eighth, then collected his second win on a go-ahead rally at the top of the ninth.
- Jose A. Ferrer gave up a hit and struck out one during two-thirds of the eighth.
- Seranthony Domínguez logged 1.1 scoreless innings, yielding a hit and striking out two.
- Gabe Speier was charged with his second blown save, giving up two hits, allowing his only inherited runner to score, and an earned run on his ledger during one-third of the sixth.
Hierarchy Remains: Andrés Muñoz | Gabe Speier | Seranthony Domínguez
Quick Hits
- Kansas City Royals: In a tied game at the bottom of the seventh, Nate Pearson allowed three hits, three earned runs, and a walk while striking out two, resulting in his second loss. He has given up at least a run in his last three outings, and multiple runs in two.
- Texas Rangers: Working as the bulk follower and entering at the top of the sixth, Trevor Williams was awarded his second win, tossing four scoreless frames while scattering two hits and striking out four against Toronto.
- The Athletics: As the first reliever in at the bottom of the fourth, Scott Blewett stranded a runner, but allowed a go-ahead solo home run by Travis Bazzana in the fifth, resulting in his first loss. He finished with a hit and an earned run while striking out three across 1.1 innings.
National League
Cincinnati Reds – It was unconventional, but Emilio Pagán secured his 24th save, allowing a one-out walk; then, with two outs, Michael Busch was caught stealing, ending the contest. He threw 18 pitches (50% strike rate) and induced one whiff. This extended his scoreless streak to seven games, during which he owns a 0.948 WHIP with eight strikeouts and two walks (25 K-BB%) across 6.1 innings.
- Tejay Antone notched his tenth hold with a scoreless eighth, yielding a hit and striking out one.
- Brock Burke retired the side and recorded a strikeout for his 21st hold in the seventh.
- Julian Aguiar collected his first win, giving up four hits, two earned runs, and a walk while striking out two during his three innings.
Hierarchy Remains: Emilio Pagán | Brock Burke | Tejay Antone
Milwaukee Brewers – Preserving a one-run lead at the bottom of the tenth, Chad Patrick retired the side and recorded a strikeout in Baltimore, notching his sixth save. He threw nine pitches (77.8% strike rate) and induced one whiff. This was his first save since August 6, and he has been scoreless over his last seven games, recording two wins and this save.
Trevor Megill registered his first out at the bottom of the ninth on a sacrifice fly after allowing a leadoff single (Gunnar Henderson), followed by Coby Mayo’s double. A second sacrifice fly tied the game. Megill finished with two hits, two earned runs, and a strikeout, throwing 18 pitches (11 strikes; 61.1% strike rate) with one whiff. He has allowed at least a run in three of his last five games.
- Abner Uribe gave up a hit and struck out three in the eighth.
- DL Hall logged two scoreless frames, yielding a hit and a walk while striking out two.
Hierarchy Remains: Trevor Megill | Abner Uribe | Aaron Ashby
New York Mets – After recording the last out in the eighth, Dedniel Núñez returned for the ninth and retired the side against the Phillies’ bottom third of the lineup for his first save of the season. He threw 11 pitches (63.6% strike rate) without a whiff. This was his first save since July 13, 2024, and it’s the second of his career. He has been scoreless in four of five games in September.
- Nate Lavender gave up Derek Hill’s solo home run and struck out one over 1.2 innings.
Hierarchy Remains: Kodai Senga | Dedniel Núñez | Nate Lavender
Pittsburgh Pirates – Recording his first save since August 1 and 15th this season, Gregory Soto protected a three-run lead, allowing Nick Loftin’s two-out double ahead of a game-ending strikeout. He threw 18 pitches (13 strikes; 72.2% strike rate) and produced two whiffs. He’s been scoreless in his last two appearances.
- Yohan Ramírez earned his seventh win, stranding two runners at the top of the seventh and retiring all four faced, one on a strikeout.
- Brandon Eisert gave up a hit and a walk while striking out one during two-thirds of the seventh inning.
Hierarchy Remains: Mason Montgomery | Luke Weaver | Gregory Soto
Quick Hits
- Chicago Cubs: Called upon with three runners on and one out, Javier Assad let all three score, finishing with four hits and a strikeout across his 1.2 innings, resulting in his first blown save. Jacob Webb gave up a hit and struck out two at the bottom of the eighth.
- Colorado Rockies: With the score tied at the top of the ninth, Jordan Romano allowed Lazaro Montes’ leadoff home run and recorded a strikeout, en route to his fourth loss. He finished with two hits and only one earned run.
- Miami Marlins: Pressed into action at the bottom of the fourth, Cade Gibson stranded his only inherited runner. In the fifth, he gave up a leadoff double, then a single before being removed. He was charged with his second loss when both runs were put on his ledger. Tyler Zuber suffered his second blown save, letting both inherited runners score while allowing four hits and four earned runs during his inning of work.
- Philadelphia Phillies: In an eventual loss, Orion Kerkering gave up three hits, including Juan Soto’s three-run home run, and recorded two strikeouts at the bottom of the sixth. He has allowed at least a run in his last three games and in seven of his last eight.
- San Francisco Giants: Although he stranded two runners at the bottom of the fifth, Jason Foley allowed a hit, an earned run, and a walk while striking out one during his 1.1 innings, resulting in his second loss.
Holds Tally
Here are the holds from Friday’s slate:
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Statistical Credits: