Saturday’s slate resulted in seven wins (one accompanied by a blown save), eight saves, five losses, and four blown saves by relievers. Here are the saves in condensed form:
There have been 1,104 saves this season by 242 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 9.6.2026
- Bryan Abreu (HOU): Hader has pitched in two straight games and in three of the previous four.
- Jack Dreyer (LAD): Scott has pitched in back-to-back games and in three of the last four. Dreyer matches up best with the Nationals’ left-handed power bats.
Vulture Save Stashes for 9.7.2026
- Orion Kerkering (PHI): If Duran pitches today, it will be consecutive appearances.
- Ryne Stanek (STL): If O’Brien is used today, he will have worked in four of the last five days.
- Spencer Miles (TOR): If Varland pitches today, it’s back-to-back games and three in the last four.
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.
Spoiling a strong start by Cade Cavalli and taking another step toward ignominy, Clayton Beeter allowed two hits, including a go-ahead three-run home run by Tommy Edman, and a walk during two-thirds of the seventh inning. He was tagged with his fifth loss and a seventh blown save. As a team, the Nationals have now suffered 36 blown saves this season, one shy of their own franchise record set in 2021.
Through 144 games, the team has 67 wins, but is 14-20 in one-run games (.412). When viewing the team’s results, it has a 59-7 record when leading after the eighth inning, so the blown saves are not all occurring in the ninth inning. It’s during the bridge innings, like last night, that they accumulate. Illustrating this point, the team has a 55-17 record when leading after six innings.
The Nationals are one of three teams with a save percentage less than 50 percent:
Being league average would put Washington at 44 saves, which would change their outlook and standings by ten more wins. It’s obvious that not addressing the bullpen was an oversight by the new front office, which has done many other things well. However, it’s not a strong free agent class for relievers, and combined with the potential lockout, building a better leverage ladder for 2027 will not be easy.
The best path forward is using the Cubs as a blueprint. Identify veterans with an untapped resource in their arsenal, help them hone their skills, and bring them into camp. Chicago has unearthed Brad Keller, Jacob Webb, Ryan Rolison, and targeted Ryan Zeferjahn in the past two seasons. For now:
Hierarchy Remains: *Orlando Ribalta | *Erik Tolman | Clayton Beeter
*= closer-by-committee
But with 18 games remaining, setting the blown save mark feels inevitable.
Today’s Takeaways
Fairbanks’ positive prognosis: After completing another throwing session, Pete Fairbanks remains on track for activation on Wednesday:
This will stabilize the Marlins’ leverage ladder and should signal to those with waivers on Sunday to move on from Michael Petersen or Calvin Faucher.
Texas two-step: Called on with a runner on and two outs at the top of the tenth, Adam Macko induced an inning-ending flyout by Chandler Simpson. After working a scoreless top of the ninth, keeping the game tied, Jacob Latz suffered his second loss when he returned for the tenth inning. It started with a sacrifice bunt, followed by an intentional walk (Yandy Díaz), and a three-run home run by Jonathan Aranda, putting three runs (two earned) on his ledger during his 1.2 innings, ending his eight-game scoreless streak.
Of his 49 relief outings this season, 16 have required at least 1.1 innings, and he has 12 saves while recording four or more outs. Latz has also recorded seven two-out saves, the most since Josh Hader posted nine saves of two innings or more in 2019. However, Hader requested that rules be put in place after that season, requiring rest based on innings or pitches thrown in between appearances. Extended outings and being used like a closer take a toll physically, and the cumulative effect may not be felt this season by the Rangers’ closer.
Updated Hierarchy: Jacob Latz | Jakob Junis | Tyler Alexander
Here are the remaining leverage events of interest from Saturday.
American League
Houston Astros – Tasked with the top of the tenth, Bryan King recorded an out on a sacrifice bunt, then allowed a go-ahead RBI single by Gabriel Moreno, scoring the courtesy runner and resulting in his fourth loss.
Josh Hader fired a clean top of the ninth, striking out one on 10 pitches (90% strike rate) with two whiffs. He owns a 21-game scoreless streak, during which he has a 0.364 WHIP with 25 strikeouts and three walks (29.7 K-BB%) over 22 innings.
- A.J. Blubaugh was tagged with his first blown save, letting one of two inherited runners score at the top of the seventh, along with serving up Ketel Marte’s game-tying solo home run in the eighth.
- Kai-Wei Teng was credited with his fourth hold despite issuing two walks, one of which scored, and striking out one during one-third of the seventh inning.
Hierarchy Remains: Josh Hader | Bryan Abreu | A.J. Blubaugh
Minnesota Twins – Closing out a two-run lead over the White Sox, Yoendrys Gómez retired the side and recorded a strikeout while securing his 21st save. He threw seven pitches (85.7% strike rate) and produced two whiffs (28.6 SwStr%). He has been scoreless in six of his last seven outings, converting four saves while recording a 1.364 WHIP with six strikeouts and five walks over 7.1 innings.
- A.J. Minter worked around a hit and recorded two strikeouts during two-thirds of the eighth for his seventh hold.
- Jeff Hoffman logged 1.1 scoreless innings, yielding a hit and striking out two, notching his 17th hold.
- Kody Funderburk retired the side and struck out one in the sixth for his 11th hold.
Hierarchy Remains: Yoendrys Gómez | Jeff Hoffman | A.J. Minter
Tampa Bay Rays – Taking over a tied game at the bottom of the ninth, Tyler Wells fired two clean frames and recorded three strikeouts, earning his fourth win, courtesy of a three-run rally at the top of the tenth. He threw 27 pitches (20 strikes – 74.1% strike rate) and produced three whiffs (11.1 SwStr%). He’s allowed an unearned run across his last seven appearances, posting a minuscule 0.31 WHIP with eight strikeouts and two walks over 9.2 innings. In this stretch, he has recorded two wins, two saves, and three holds.
- Cam Booser let his only inherited runner score on an RBI double by Justin Foscue while recording two outs at the bottom of the eighth, resulting in his first blown save.
- Kevin Kelly was credited with his 30th hold despite giving up two hits, including a solo home run (Evan Carter) that put two earned runs on his ledger during one-third of the eighth.
Hierarchy Remains: Bryan Baker | Tyler Wells | Kevin Kelly
Toronto Blue Jays – Preserving a one-run margin in Kansas City, Louis Varland locked down his 33rd save, retiring the side and striking out one. He threw 13 pitches (10 strikes – 76.9% strike rate) and induced one whiff. This extends his scoreless streak to 10 games, during which he’s converted nine saves while posting a 0.80 WHIP with 12 strikeouts and two walks (26.3 K-BB%) across 10 innings.
- Tyler Rogers navigated around two hits for a scoreless eighth and his 31st hold.
- Paul Sewald stranded a runner and retired his only batter, securing his second hold in the seventh inning.
- Mason Fluharty stranded a runner in the sixth and retired three of four batters, walking one and striking out two, collecting his sixth win.
Hierarchy Remains: Louis Varland | Tyler Rogers | Mason Fluharty
Quick Hits
- Baltimore Orioles: Summoned at the top of the sixth with two outs and two on base, Rico Garcia let one of two inherited runners score on Connor Wong’s RBI single, then struck out Roman Anthony, ending the inning.
- Detroit Tigers: Completing a combined shutout, Beau Brieske retired the side against the top of the Guardians’ lineup, throwing 11 pitches (63.6% strike rate) with one whiff. Kyle Finnegan tossed a clean eighth.
- The Athletics: Finishing off a win in Seattle, Elvis Alvarado allowed two hits, scoring an earned run on a wild pitch, and a walk while striking out one at the bottom of the ninth in a non-save capacity. It’s one step forward and two steps back with him from a fantasy standpoint. He recorded three saves in a five days last scoring period and has allowed at least a run in his last three appearances since.
National League
Arizona Diamondbacks – Protecting a one-run lead at the bottom of the tenth, Brandyn Garcia was matched up against Yordan Alvarez and struck him out leading off the inning. He secured his fifth save after inducing a pop-up by Isaac Paredes and a game-ending strikeout of Jose Altuve. This marked his first save since August 14. He threw 13 pitches (69.2% strike rate) and produced one whiff.
- Jonathan Loáisiga allowed a hit and recorded a strikeout in a scoreless bottom of the ninth, then collected his seventh win courtesy of his team’s rally at the top of the tenth.
- Juan Morillo worked a scoreless eighth, giving up a hit and striking out one, facing the 3-4-5-6 hitters.
- Kevin Ginkel stranded a runner and recorded a strikeout during two-thirds of the seventh.
Hierarchy Remains: *Juan Morillo | *Brandyn Garcia | Jonathan Loáisiga
*= closer-by-committee
Chicago Cubs – Entering at the bottom of the eighth with a runner on second and one out, Ryan Zeferjahn retired both Marlins hitters, then returned for the ninth, working around Griffin Conine’s two-out walk, sealing the one-run lead and his first save for the Cubs, his fifth of the season. He finished his 1.2 scoreless innings with a walk and a strikeout on 19 pitches (11 strikes – 57.9% strike rate) with two whiffs. He’s the 14th Cubs pitcher with a save this season, the most in the majors.
- Ryan Rolison was awarded his eighth win, recording an out in the seventh while stranding two runners, and departing after giving up a hit and striking out Agustín Ramírez.
- Trent Thornton gave up a solo home run by Kyle Stowers during two-thirds of the seventh, but was credited with his sixth hold.
Updated Hierarchy: Jacob Webb | Ryan Zeferjahn | Ryan Rolison
Cincinnati Reds – Putting his fantasy managers through a white-knuckle ride, Emilio Pagán recorded an out at the top of the ninth, then allowed a double, a walk, and a single to load the bases, before inducing a pop-out, followed by a game-ending flyout by William Contreras, securing a two-run lead for his 21st save. He threw 22 pitches (14 strikes – 63.6% strike rate) and produced two whiffs. He has converted all 14 save chances since returning from the injured list.
- Brock Burke fired a clean eighth, striking out two for his 17th hold.
- Tony Santillan gave up three hits, an earned run, and a walk with two strikeouts in the seventh. He was charged with his fifth blown save and awarded his third win.
Hierarchy Remains: Emilio Pagán | Brock Burke | Luis Mey
Colorado Rockies – With the lead shrinking, Jordan Romano took over with a runner on and one out at the top of the ninth. He induced Alec Burleson’s lineout to first base, recorded a strikeout of Jordan Walker, but he reached on a wild pitch, then retired Leo Bernal, sealing a three-run lead for his 15th save. He threw 10 pitches (70% strike rate) and produced four whiffs.
- Juan Mejia opened the ninth with a five-run margin, but gave up two hits, two earned runs, and a walk while recording one out.
- Nick Frasso tossed a clean eighth, striking out two.
- Jaden Hill notched his 13th hold, retiring the side and striking out two in the seventh.
- Brennan Bernardino was awarded his fourth win, stranding an inherited runner and recording two outs.
Hierarchy Remains: Jordan Romano | Brennan Bernardino | Jaden Hill
Los Angeles Dodgers – Capping his team’s come-from-behind rally, Tanner Scott retired his first two batters via strikeout, then allowed two hits, neither handled by a Dodgers infielder, producing an earned run after defensive indifference put James Wood on second base with two outs; then Andrés Chapparro doubled, putting runners on second and third. However, Scott bore down, producing a game-ending strikeout of CJ Abrams, recording his 21st save. He threw 17 pitches (14 strikes – 82.4% strike rate) and racked up six whiffs (35.3 SwStr%).
- Evan Phillips worked a clean top of the eighth, securing his sixth hold.
- Alex Vesia gave up a hit and struck out two in the seventh, collecting his second win.
Hierarchy Remains: Tanner Scott | Edgardo Henriquez | Jack Dreyer
Philadelphia Phillies – Shutting the door on his 30th save, Jhoan Duran fired a clean top of the ninth and recorded a strikeout while closing out a two-run lead over Atlanta. He threw 11 pitches (81.8% strike rate) and generated three whiffs (27.3 SwStr%). He has recorded at least 30 saves in back-to-back seasons and has converted his last six chances since the start of August.
- José Alvarado notched his 14th hold, allowing a hit and striking out one at the top of the eighth.
- Jonathan Bowlan gave up Austin Riley’s solo home run and struck out one in the seventh for his 13th hold.
Hierarchy Remains: Jhoan Duran | Jonathan Bowlan | Orion Kerkering
Quick Hits
- Milwaukee Brewers: During a tied game at the bottom of the seventh, Aaron Ashby allowed three hits, including a go-ahead Matt McLain solo home run, resulting in his third loss.
- San Francisco Giants: Wrapping up a win over the Mets, Jason Foley allowed two hits, two earned runs, and a walk at the bottom of the ninth of an eventual four-run contest. Trent Harris worked a clean eighth, striking out one. Carson Seymour stranded one of three runners, walking in a run and retiring one batter in the seventh, getting credited with his sixth hold.
Holds Tally
Here are the holds from Saturday’s slate:
Thanks for being a part of the Closer Monkey community. Stay safe and be well.
Statistical Credits: