Sunday’s slate produced eight wins, eight saves, five losses, and four blown saves by relievers. Here are the saves in condensed form:
There have been 1,211 saves this season by 254 different pitchers. For perspective, this season has already set an MLB record for the number of pitchers with at least one save; the previous record was 223 in 2024.
Here are the upcoming vulture save options:
Vulture Save Options for 9.21.2026
- Jeff Hoffman (MIN): He has not received a save chance with the Twins yet, but could be in line for an audition before next season.
- Jack Sinclair (WSH): For obvious reasons, Nationals’ relievers are rarely mentioned in this category, but a three-game slate with three of his high-leverage teammates having worked in consecutive contests leads to a potential save chance.
Vulture Save Stash for 9.22.2026
- Tyler Rogers (TOR): If Varland pitches today, it will be back-to-back appearances.
- Joel Kuhnel (SF): If Harris and Smith pitch tonight, it’s two straight for each reliever.
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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Forced into action with a runner on and one out, Eduard Bazardo allowed a walk and recorded two strikeouts while securing his first save of the season. He threw 12 pitches (50% strike rate) and induced two whiffs (16.7 SwStr%).
Andrés Muñoz gave up Hunter Goodman’s solo home run and issued a walk during his one-third of the ninth, then left with the trainer after grabbing at his right leg.
- Seranthony Domínguez notched his eighth hold, yielding a hit and striking out one during a scoreless eighth. He’s been scoreless in his last 10 appearances, posting a 0.794 WHIP with seven strikeouts and three walks across his last 11.1 innings.
Seattle’s closer will undergo an MRI:
If Muñoz’s season ends as a result of his injury:
Projected Hierarchy: Seranthony Domínguez | Gabe Speier | Eduard Bazardo
Even if he’s not placed on the injured list, the team will manage his workload during the last week of the season.
Today’s Takeaways
Is Senga on the hot seat? Appearing in an eventual loss and for the first time in four days, Kodai Senga allowed two hits, three earned runs, and three walks during one-third of the eighth against the Phillies. He has allowed at least a run in back-to-back games and in three of his last four. Austin Warren stranded two runners for him and logged 1.2 scoreless innings while issuing a walk.
Senga may be exhibiting signs of fatigue after transitioning into a relief role. He’s throwing fewer strikes, and his inflated WHIP makes him a risky play over the last scoring period of the season:
For those streaming for saves, Dedniel Núñez could be a sneaky play over his team’s last six games.
Set your clocks, it’s Mountain time: Félix Bautista appeared for the first time since July 20, 2025. He allowed a leadoff double by Jake Bauers and an RBI single by Cooper Pratt while also recording two strikeouts. He threw 19 pitches (11 strikes; 57.9% strike rate) and racked up six whiffs (31.6 SwStr%):
While it’s encouraging to see him back in action, fantasy players will note the 98.1 miles per hour maximum velocity with the sinker and hope it ticks up after a full buildup this winter. He’s our projected closer for 2027 with Ryan Helsley setting up, but things can change based on his option at the end of the season.
Now it’s time for the remaining leverage events of interest from Sunday.
American League
Cleveland Guardians – Completing a combined shutout and nailing down his 39th save, Cade Smith stranded two runners in the eighth while giving up a hit across 1.1 innings. He also recorded three strikeouts, throwing 20 pitches (85% strike rate) and generating four whiffs (20 SwStr%). He has been scoreless in his last 10 appearances, recording three wins and five saves while posting a 0.406 WHIP with 21 strikeouts and two walks (44.2 K-BB%) over 12.1 innings.
- Hunter Gaddis was credited with his 31st hold, allowing two hits and striking out one during two-thirds of the eighth inning.
Hierarchy Remains: Cade Smith | Hunter Gaddis | Erik Sabrowski
Minnesota Twins – Taking the baton from Dean Kremer and recording his first career save, Bailey Ober logged three scoreless frames, preserving a combined shutout of the Angels. He allowed a hit and struck out three, throwing 31 pitches (27 strikes; 87.1% strike rate) with four whiffs (12.9 SwStr%). This represents his first career relief appearance, but he attacked hitters while pounding the strike zone.
The team’s leverage ladder received much-needed rest in this game. But roles for the last few games remain under construction:
Updated Hierarchy: *Jeff Hoffman | *A.J. Minter | *Andrew Morris
*= closer-by-committee
Toronto Blue Jays – Closing out a five-run lead at the bottom of the ninth, Louis Varland allowed a hit and a walk in a scoreless appearance.
- Tyler Rogers gave up a hit during a scoreless eighth.
- José Rodríguez tossed a scoreless seventh, giving up a hit and striking out one.
- Paul Sewald stranded two runners while retiring his only batter in the sixth for his third hold.
- Mason Fluharty only recorded one out, yielding a hit and a walk in the sixth, getting credit for his 18th hold.
- Spencer Arrighetti appeared as the bulk follower, logging 2.2 innings, allowing two hits, two earned runs, and two walks while striking out two across 2.1 innings, earning his ninth win.
Hierarchy Remains: Louis Varland | Tyler Rogers | Spencer Miles
Quick Hits
- Chicago White Sox: Back from the injured list, Huascar Brazobán allowed a hit during a scoreless top of the sixth and collected his sixth win.
- Houston Astros: Called upon with a 1-0 lead at the top of the sixth, Bryan King allowed three hits, four earned runs, and a walk without retiring a batter, resulting in his sixth loss and a sixth blown save.
- Kansas City Royals: Taking over with a one-run lead at the bottom of the eighth, Nate Pearson allowed three hits, including Ramon Flores Jr.’s go-ahead two-run home run, resulting in his third loss and a second blown save during two-thirds of an inning. He has allowed at least a run in four straight outings and multiple runs in three.
- New York Yankees: Pressed into action with the bases loaded and one out at the bottom of the fifth, Brent Headrick let all three inherited runners score, and two earned runs on his ledger, issuing a walk and serving up Nolan Arenado’s grand slam, resulting in his fourth loss.
National League
Arizona Diamondbacks – Entering at the top of the fifth, Justin Martinez retired the side and recorded two strikeouts, then collected his third win after his team rallied for five runs at the bottom of the inning. He threw 12 pitches (75% strike rate) and produced three whiffs (25 SwStr%).
- Taylor Clarke allowed two hits and struck out one in a scoreless sixth, securing his 14th hold.
- Brandyn Garcia fired a clean seventh, striking out one for his 17th hold.
- Jonathan Loáisiga tossed two scoreless frames, allowing a hit and finishing off a four-run lead against the Yankees.
Hierarchy Remains: *Juan Morillo | *Brandyn Garcia | Justin Martinez
*= closer-by-committee
Atlanta Braves – Locking down his second save, Dylan Dodd fired a clean bottom of the ninth, striking out the side in Houston. He threw 13 pitches (10 strikes; 76.9% strike rate) and generated six whiffs (46.2 SwStr%).
- Ray Kerr allowed Yandy Diaz’s solo home run and struck out one in the eighth for his second hold.
- AJ Smith-Shawver logged two scoreless innings, giving up a hit and striking out four for his first hold.
- Victor Mederos earned his fifth win, stranding all three inherited runners while retiring both batters at the bottom of the fifth.
Hierarchy Remains: Raisel Iglesias | Didier Fuentes | Dylan Lee
Los Angeles Dodgers – Shutting the door on his 23rd save, Tanner Scott worked around a two-out walk with a game-ending strikeout, sealing a two-run lead over the Giants. He threw 19 pitches (11 strikes; 57.9% strike rate) and induced two whiffs (10.5 SwStr%). It’s his first save since September 8 and extended his modest scoreless streak to three games.
- Brock Stewart fired a clean eighth, striking out two for his eighth hold.
- Kris Bubic collected his fourth win, retiring both batters faced, striking out one, during the top of the seventh.
Updated Hierarchy: Tanner Scott | Brock Stewart | Kris Bubic
Milwaukee Brewers – Nailing down his 29th save, Trevor Megill sealed a combined shutout in Baltimore, retiring the side and striking out one at the bottom of the ninth. He threw nine pitches (66.7% strike rate) without a whiff. He only needs one more save to reach 30 in back-to-back seasons.
- DL Hall was awarded his fourth win, stranding two runners at the bottom of the seventh and retiring all five batters faced, striking out two.
- Kyle Harrison allowed a hit and a walk during one-third of the seventh, receiving credit for his first hold.
- Chad Patrick issued two walks during two-thirds of the sixth, recording his 11th hold.
- JoJo Romero earned his 22nd hold, logging 1.2 innings, yielding a hit and striking out one.
Hierarchy Remains: Trevor Megill | Abner Uribe | Aaron Ashby
Pittsburgh Pirates – Sealing a one-run lead and securing his 16th save, Mason Montgomery navigated around Luke Maile’s two-out double with a game-ending flyout. He threw 11 pitches (72.7% strike rate) and racked up four whiffs (36.4 SwStr%) while striking out one. He has turned in his 24th consecutive scoreless appearance, recording three wins and 14 saves while posting a 0.676 WHIP with 34 strikeouts and seven walks (30.3 K-BB%) across 23.2 innings.
- Carmen Mlodzinski collected his eighth win, giving up three hits, two earned runs, and a walk while striking out one across three innings.
Hierarchy Remains: Mason Montgomery | Luke Weaver | Gregory Soto
St. Louis Cardinals – Capping his team’s comeback rally, Riley O’Brien retired the side and recorded his 38th save, preserving a two-run lead against the Nationals. He threw six pitches, all strikes, without a whiff. Through 10 games in September, he has three losses while converting four of seven save chances, recording a 1.608 WHIP with 10 strikeouts and six walks over 9.1 innings.
- Luis Gastelum fired a clean top of the eighth, striking out two, then collected his fifth win courtesy of a three-run outburst at the bottom of the inning.
Hierarchy Remains: Riley O’Brien | Ryne Stanek | George Soriano
Washington Nationals – Death, taxes, and a Nationals blown save? Not necessarily, but it feels like it. Taking over at the bottom of the eighth with the score tied, Yovanny Cruz issued a walk and gave up Leo Bernal’s go-ahead two-run home run during his one-third of the inning, suffering his second loss.
- Erik Tolman served up Iván Herrera’s game-tying solo shot during his two-thirds of the eighth, resulting in his third blown save and the team’s 42nd this season.
- Will Dion notched his first hold, logging 1.2 scoreless innings, giving up a hit and a walk.
Hierarchy Remains: *Will Dion | *Jack Sinclair | *Yovanny Cruz
*= closer-by-committee
Quick Hits
- San Diego Padres: Preserving his team’s 13th win in its last 14 games, Mason Miller retired the side in seven pitches (71.4% strike rate) at the top of the ninth, sealing a four-run lead. Bradgley Rodriguez notched his 16th hold, allowing a hit during a scoreless eighth. Kyle Hart issued a walk during one-third of the seventh for his ninth hold.
- San Francisco Giants: With his team ahead by one, Carson Seymour allowed two hits, including a game-tying solo home run by Tommy Edman, resulting in his third blown save. Sam Hentges gave up three hits and an earned run during one-third of the seventh for his seventh loss.
Holds Tally
Here are the holds from Sunday’s slate:
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Statistical Credits: