Wednesday’s slate produced eight wins, eight saves, seven losses, and one blown save by relievers. Here are the saves in condensed form:
There have been 1,229 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 9.24.2026
- Bryan Abreu (HOU): Hader will be unavailable today and tomorrow.
- Jonathan Loáisiga (ARI): Morillo has worked in back-to-back games.
- Garrett Whitlock (BOS): Chapman may not be ready for consecutive appearances.
- Paul Blackburn (NYY): Bednar has pitched in two straight.
Vulture Save Stash for 9.25.2026
- Didier Fuentes (ATL): If Iglesias pitches today, it’s back-to-back appearances.
Doubleheader Recommendations
- Boston Red Sox – Preferred option: Greg Weissert
- Chicago Cubs – Preferred option: Daniel Palencia
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
If Closer Monkey has helped your team(s) this season, please leave a tip to support future content at this LINK. You can also Venmo tips to @gjewett9.
Displaying no signs of rust, Aroldis Chapman fired a clean top of the ninth, striking out the side, preserving a combined shutout, and recording his 35th save. He threw 12 pitches (83.3% strike rate) and racked up five whiffs (41.7 SwStr%).
This was his first appearance since September 13, and he has been scoreless in his last five appearances.
- Garrett Whitlock worked around a hit and a walk for a scoreless eighth, posting his 26th hold.
- Tyron Guerrero issued a walk and struck out three in the seventh for his 19th hold.
Hierarchy Remains: Aroldis Chapman | Garrett Whitlock | Erik Miller
Today’s Takeaways
A solid return for the Airbender: Devin Williams notched his first hold, firing a clean bottom of the eighth, striking out one. In his first appearance since August 7, he threw 13 pitches (8 strikes; 61.5% strike rate) and produced three whiffs (23.1 SwStr%).
It remains to be seen if he will get a save opportunity before the season ends, but this outing was encouraging.
Muñoz update: According to Adam Jude of the Seattle Times, Andrés Muñoz will be available this week:
However, he may be reserved for save chances only after seeing last night’s usage patterns.
Now it’s time for the remaining leverage events of interest from Wednesday.
American League
Baltimore Orioles – (Game 1) – Andrew Kittredge preserved a two-run lead, working around Brandon Valenzuela’s leadoff single with a popout, a flyout, and a game-ending strikeout for his 11th save. He threw 13 pitches (69.2% strike rate) and induced two whiffs (15.4 SwStr%).
- Rico Garcia notched his 19th hold, retiring the side against Toronto’s 4-5-6 hitters.
- Anthony Nunez recorded 1.1 clean frames, securing his eighth hold.
- Luis De León let both inherited runners score, yielding two hits and striking out one during two-thirds of the sixth, but was credited with his first hold.
(Game 2) – Yennier Cano was summoned with two runners on and two outs at the top of the seventh. He stranded them, issuing a walk and recording an inning-ending strikeout for his 14th hold.
- Josh Walker allowed a hit during a scoreless eighth.
- Félix Bautista gave up two hits, including Davis Schneider’s two-run home run, spoiling the shutout bid, and recorded a strikeout at the top of the ninth.
Hierarchy Remains: Rico Garcia | Andrew Kittredge | Josh Walker
Houston Astros – An untimely meltdown for Josh Hader happened in his third multi-inning effort this season. He navigated around a hit and a walk for a scoreless ninth, keeping the game tied. With a one-run lead in the tenth, he walked three of four batters opening the frame, then Josh Naylor produced a two-RBI walk-off single, resulting in Hader’s second loss. He threw 44 pitches (25 strikes; 56.8% strike rate) and produced five whiffs (11.4 SwStr%). According to Matt Kawahara of The Houston Chronicle, this was the most pitches Hader has thrown in an outing since 2019:
Amid a battle for the American League West, this proves confounding since he will be unavailable for the next two days.
- Bryan Abreu gave up a hit and struck out one in a scoreless eighth.
- A.J. Blubaugh tossed two scoreless innings, walking and striking out one.
Hierarchy Remains: Josh Hader | Bryan Abreu | A.J. Blubaugh
Kansas City Royals – Protecting a one-run lead, Steven Cruz navigated around Braden Montgomery’s two-out single with a game-ending flyout, securing his eighth save. He threw 15 pitches (11 strikes; 73.3% strike rate) and produced two whiffs (13.3 SwStr%) while recording two strikeouts. It’s his first save since September 11, and he had allowed at least a run in his two previous appearances.
- Lucas Erceg notched his fifth hold, retiring the side and striking out one in the eighth.
- Connor Thomas logged two scoreless innings, giving up a hit and striking out one, collecting his second win.
Updated Hierarchy: Steven Cruz | Nate Pearson | Lucas Erceg
Minnesota Twins – After recording two quick outs at the bottom of the ninth, Andrew Morris allowed a single by Drew Gilbert and walked Marcelo Mayer before a game-ending strikeout, sealing a two-run lead for his fifth save. He threw 23 pitches (13 strikes; 56.5% strike rate) and produced four whiffs (17.4 SwStr%). This was his first save since August 24 and extended his scoreless streak to four games.
- A.J. Minter worked a clean bottom of the eighth, notching his 11th hold.
- Yoendrys Gómez earned his third win, firing 1.2 clean innings and striking out two.
Hierarchy Remains: *Jeff Hoffman | *A.J. Minter | *Andrew Morris
*= closer-by-committee
Seattle Mariners – Although Cooper Criswell let the courtesy runner score at the top of the tenth, giving up an RBI triple by Yainer Diaz, he retired the next two batters, striking out one, then collected his fourth win on a walk-off rally at the bottom of the inning.
- Seranthony Domínguez allowed a hit and recorded a strikeout in a scoreless top of the ninth.
- Carlos Vargas worked a scoreless eighth, yielding a hit and striking out two.
- Gabe Speier gave up a hit and struck out two in the seventh.
- Jose A. Ferrer fired a clean sixth, striking out two.
Hierarchy Remains: Andrés Muñoz | Seranthony Domínguez | Gabe Speier
Texas Rangers – Desperation is a stinky cologne, and in dire need of a win, Jacob Latz was pressed into action at the top of the seventh with two runners on and one out. He stranded both runners, but he allowed a go-ahead solo home run by Marcus Semien in the eighth. He finished with a hit, an earned run, and a walk while striking out two, getting tagged with his fourth loss.
- Jordan Montgomery gave up a hit, two earned runs, and a walk with a strikeout in two-thirds of the ninth.
- Trevor Williams took over with two runners on and issued a walk before serving up Brett Baty’s grand slam, putting the game out of reach.
Hierarchy Remains: Jacob Latz | Chase Silseth | Robert Garcia
Quick Hits
- Chicago White Sox: Keeping the game tied, Sean Newcomb logged two scoreless innings, allowing a hit and striking out two. Hagen Smith entered at the bottom of the seventh, giving up two hits, including Maikel Garcia’s go-ahead RBI double for an earned run, and recorded two strikeouts across two innings, suffering his third loss.
- New York Yankees: Closing out a seven-run lead, David Bednar retired the side and recorded a strikeout at the top of the ninth while facing the Rays’ bottom third of the lineup. He threw 16 pitches (11 strikes; 68.8% strike rate) and produced two whiffs (12.5 SwStr%).
- The Athletics: Wrapping up a four-run lead over the Angels, Elvis Alvarado retired the side and recorded two strikeouts at the top of the ninth. Hogan Harris gave up a hit and struck out one in the eighth. Luis Medina allowed a hit and a walk while striking out one in the seventh. Geoff Hartlieb collected his second win, logging 1.2 innings, yielding a hit and a walk while striking out two, but let his only inherited runner score in the fifth.
National League
Arizona Diamondbacks – Working into and then out of trouble, Jonathan Loáisiga allowed Kyle Karros’ leadoff single and a one-out walk but induced a groundout by Jordan Beck, followed by a game-ending popout against Ezequiel Tovar, preserving a two-run lead for his second save. He threw 16 pitches (62.5% strike rate) and induced one whiff.
- Juan Morillo recorded two outs while yielding a hit during two-thirds of the eighth, facing the Rockies’ 2-3-4 hitters, notching his 19th hold.
- Brandyn Garcia gave up Tovar’s solo home run and recorded two strikeouts across 1.1 innings, securing his 18th hold.
- Justin Martinez stranded a runner, retiring both batters and striking out one for his second hold.
Updated Hierarchy: *Juan Morillo | *Brandyn Garcia | *Jonathan Loáisiga
*= closer-by-committee
Atlanta Braves – Tasked with the top of the tenth, Brent Suter retired the side and struck out one, stranding the courtesy runner. He earned his third win on a walk-off rally at the bottom of the inning.
Raisel Iglesias fired a clean top of the ninth, striking out the side on 13 pitches (69.2% strike rate) with three whiffs (23.1 SwStr%). He has been scoreless in his last four games, recording seven strikeouts of his 12 batters faced (58.3 K-BB%).
- Dylan Lee retired the side in the eighth.
- Robert Suarez made his first appearance since June 19, giving up a hit and an earned run during the top of the seventh.
Hierarchy Remains: Raisel Iglesias | Didier Fuentes | Dylan Lee
Miami Marlins – Reprising his role as fill-in closer, Sandy Alcantara recorded his second save of the season, working around a lead-off single with a flyout, followed by a game-ending double-play groundout, sealing a one-run lead over the Cubs. He threw 12 pitches (75% strike rate) and induced one whiff. He also recorded a save on September 16, working in the ninth inning rather than throwing on the side between starts.
- Calvin Faucher notched his 18th hold, tossing a clean bottom of the eighth.
- Cade Gibson collected his sixth win, firing a clean seventh and striking out two.
- Michael Petersen let both inherited runners score, giving up a hit and striking out two during two-thirds of the sixth, resulting in his second blown save.
Hierarchy Remains: *Michael Petersen | *Calvin Faucher | *Tyler Zuber
*= closer-by-committee
Milwaukee Brewers – Securing his 30th save, Trevor Megill fired a clean bottom of the ninth and recorded a strikeout, closing out a three-run lead over the Phillies. He threw 11 pitches (63.6% strike rate) and induced one whiff. This marks consecutive 30-save seasons, and if he records one more, he will set a career high in the category.
- Abner Uribe allowed a hit and struck out one at the bottom of the eighth for his 23rd hold.
- DL Hall logged two scoreless innings, giving up a hit and a walk while striking out two, notching his sixth hold.
Hierarchy Remains: Trevor Megill | Abner Uribe | Aaron Ashby
San Diego Padres – Sealing a four-run lead against the Dodgers, Mason Miller issued a walk and recorded two strikeouts at the bottom of the ninth, throwing 18 pitches (66.7% strike rate) with two whiffs (11.1 SwStr%). He has been scoreless in seven of his last eight appearances but has not posted a save since September 14.
- Adrian Morejon allowed a hit during a scoreless eighth, notching his 28th hold.
- Bradgley Rodriguez was awarded his fourth win, logging two scoreless innings, giving up a hit and a walk while striking out three.
- Yuki Matsui navigated around a hit and a walk for a scoreless fifth for his 11th hold.
Hierarchy Remains: Mason Miller | Adrian Morejon | Bradgley Rodriguez
Washington Nationals – Although he allowed three hits and an earned run over 1.1 innings, Yovanny Cruz recorded his first career save, striking out two while finishing off an eventual two-run margin. He threw 22 pitches (15 strikes; 68.2% strike rate) and produced three whiffs (13.6 SwStr%), stranding two runners in the eighth. He’s the 15th different pitcher with a save for the Nationals this season, tying the Twins for the most.
- Erik Tolman issued two walks during his two-thirds of the eighth, appearing for the fourth time in five days, and was credited with his second hold.
- Jack Sinclair stranded a runner and retired his only batter in the seventh, securing his third hold.
- Will Dion was awarded his second win, logging two innings, giving up three hits, an earned run, and a walk while striking out four.
Hierarchy Remains: *Will Dion | *Jack Sinclair | *Erik Tolman
*= closer-by-committee
Quick Hits
- Chicago Cubs: Called on at the top of the seventh during a tied game, Ryan Rolison allowed two hits and an earned run while striking out one during two-thirds of an inning, resulting in his second loss. Jacob Webb stranded a runner in the seventh and logged 1.1 scoreless frames, giving up a hit and a walk while striking out two.
- Cincinnati Reds: With the score tied at the bottom of the tenth, Luis Mey recorded an out and allowed a walk-off RBI single by Mauricio Dubón, resulting in his first loss.
- Pittsburgh Pirates: Taking over at the top of the third, Brandon Eisert stranded a runner while recording an out. Returning for the fourth, he allowed two hits, three earned runs, and a walk while striking out one en route to his third loss.
- San Francisco Giants: Entering a tied game at the top of the seventh, Dylan Smith allowed a hit, two earned runs, and a walk while striking out one during two-thirds of an inning, resulting in his sixth loss. He has allowed at least a run in three consecutive appearances.
- St. Louis Cardinals: Finishing off a four-run lead, George Soriano allowed a walk and recorded two strikeouts at the bottom of the ninth in Pittsburgh. Ryne Stanek retired the side and struck out one in the eighth. Luis Gastelum stranded a runner in the sixth and tossed 1.1 clean frames.
Holds Tally
Here are the holds from Wednesday’s slate:
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Statistical Credits: