Tuesday’s slate resulted in four wins (one accompanied by a blown save), eight saves, three losses, and four blown saves by relievers. Here are the saves in condensed form:
There have been 1,130 saves this season by 244 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 9.9.2026
- Abner Uribe (MIL): Megill has pitched in back-to-back games.
- Justin Martinez (ARI): With his bullpen running on fumes, it’s time to take the kid gloves off and give him the save chance, if provided today.
- Ryan Zeferjahn (CHC): Webb has appeared in consecutive contests and is struggling during high-leverage events.
- Nate Pearson (KC): Cruz has worked in two straight games.
Vulture Save Stashes for 9.10.2026
- Bryan Abreu (HOU): If Hader pitches today, it will be back-to-back appearances.
- Tyler Wells (TB): If Baker pitches today, it’s two straight games.
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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Today’s Takeaways
Another Cubs’ meltdown: Tasked with a tied score at the bottom of the tenth, Caleb Thielbar allowed two hits and a walk while striking out one, letting the courtesy runner score on Luis Lara’s walk-off RBI single, resulting in his third loss. Jacob Webb suffered his seventh blown save, giving up two hits, including Jackson Chourio’s game-tying two-run home run with two strikes and two outs at the bottom of the ninth. This result has put him into some uncharted territory:
Daniel Palencia has also struggled in recent appearances, potentially putting Ryan Zeferjahn and Ryan Rolison into larger leverage roles in the short term:
Updated Hierarchy: *Ryan Zeferjahn | *Jacob Webb | *Ryan Rolison
*= closer-by-committee
Is Megill running on empty? Benefiting from a double-play flyout at the top of the tenth, DL Hall collected his third win on a walk-off rally at the bottom of the inning. He took over at the top of the ninth, stranding two runners and retiring five of six batters faced, walking and striking out one. He has been scoreless in nine of his last 10, posting a 0.60 WHIP with 17 strikeouts and five walks (25.5 K-BB%) across 13.1 innings.
Trevor Megill was on the hook for a potential loss, allowing three hits, two earned runs, and a walk while striking out one during his one-third of an inning at the top of the ninth. He threw 25 pitches (72% strike rate) and only induced one whiff.
This may be a blip, but Megill has allowed at least a run in consecutive appearances. He has already set career highs in games (57) and innings (55.2) with 16 games remaining. If Abner Uribe is available, he may start receiving more save chances as the team manages Megill’s workload down the stretch.
Hierarchy Remains: Trevor Megill | Abner Uribe | Aaron Ashby
Blown save #38: Wasting no time making history, this iteration of the Nationals’ bullpen has recorded the most blown saves in a season in this contest, reaching 38 games through their first 72 save opportunities in 144 games. Erik Tolman took over with three runners on and no outs at the bottom of the eighth, letting all three score and with an earned run on his ledger. He walked in a run while facing Fernando Tatis Jr., followed by a sacrifice fly, a passed ball that moved up a runner, and a two-RBI single by Manny Machado that tied the game. After two more singles, Tolman suffered his first loss and a first blown save. Jared Simpson opened the eighth, walking the bases loaded, prompting his removal with three earned runs charged to his line. Clayton Beeter gave up two hits and an earned run while striking out one in the seventh for his ninth hold. Yovanny Cruz worked a scoreless sixth, walking and striking out one, securing his second hold. Avoid this unit at all costs for the rest of the season.
Hierarchy Remains: *Clayton Beeter | *Erik Tolman | *Yovanny Cruz
*= closer-by-committee
Here are the remaining leverage events of interest from Tuesday.
American League
Cleveland Guardians – Working into and then out of trouble, Cade Smith battled his command, hitting Christian Encarnacion-Strand with a pitch, followed by a walk to Colton Cowser, then recorded back-to-back strikeouts, preserving a four-run margin over the Orioles. He threw 19 pitches (11 strikes; 57.9% strike rate) without a whiff.
- Hunter Gaddis tossed a scoreless eighth, walking and striking out one.
- Craig Yoho logged 1.1 clean frames, striking out two for his second hold.
- Tim Herrin picked up his third win, retiring all four batters, two on strikeouts, as the first reliever in.
Hierarchy Remains: Cade Smith | Hunter Gaddis | Erik Sabrowski
Houston Astros – Taking over with a two-run lead at the bottom of the ninth in Philadelphia, Josh Hader allowed Bryson Stott’s leadoff single, followed by Edmundo Sosa’s RBI double, ending his 22-game scoreless streak. However, he bore down, retiring the next three batters, including a game-ending popout against Kyle Schwarber, securing his 24th save. He threw 17 pitches (13 strikes; 76.4% strike rate) without a whiff.
- Bryan Abreu gave up a hit and struck out two in a scoreless eighth, notching his 14th hold.
- Bennett Sousa stranded a runner, retiring his only batter via strikeout for his ninth hold.
- A.J. Blubaugh was awarded his tenth hold, yielding two hits and an earned run during two-thirds of the seventh inning.
Hierarchy Remains: Josh Hader | Bryan Abreu | A.J. Blubaugh
Minnesota Twins – Shutting the door on his 22nd save, Yoendrys Gómez retired the side and recorded a strikeout while preserving a one-run lead against the Tigers. He threw 13 pitches (8 strikes; 61.5% strike rate) and produced two whiffs (15.4 SwStr%). He has been scoreless in his last four appearances and notched a save in his last two.
- Jeff Hoffman tossed a clean bottom of the eighth, striking out one for his 18th hold.
- Andrew Morris stranded a runner, retiring both batters in the seventh, one via strikeout, securing his 21st hold.
- A.J. Minter logged 1.1 scoreless innings, walking and striking out one for his eighth hold.
Hierarchy Remains: Yoendrys Gómez | Jeff Hoffman | A.J. Minter
New York Yankees – It was a fantasy baseball favorite: a one-out save for David Bednar. Pressed into action with two outs and a two-run lead, he recorded a game-ending strikeout of Mickey Moniak, resulting in his 32nd save, requiring only three pitches, all strikes, with two whiffs. It’s his first save since August 28, and he has converted his last five save opportunities.
- Tim Hill allowed a walk and Hunter Goodman’s two-run home run during his two-thirds of the ninth, prompting his removal.
- Brent Headrick notched his 26th hold, striking out in a clean top of the eighth.
Hierarchy Remains: David Bednar | Paul Blackburn | Brent Headrick
Toronto Blue Jays – Filling in capably and logging two clean frames, Spencer Miles closed out a two-run lead against the A’s, recording three strikeouts and his second save. He threw 22 pitches (19 strikes; 86.4% strike rate) and produced three whiffs (13.6 SwStr%). He has been scoreless over his last 12 appearances with two wins, two saves, and a hold while posting a 0.615 WHIP with ten strikeouts and one walk (19.2 K-BB%) across 13 innings.
Updated Hierarchy: Louis Varland | Tyler Rogers | Spencer Miles
Quick Hits
- Kansas City Royals: Entering at the top of the 11th, Anthony Gose allowed a hit and two runs (one earned) on an interesting triple on a defensive lapse, resulting in his first loss. Steven Cruz gave up a hit, an unearned run, and a walk at the top of the tenth.
- Los Angeles Angels: Finishing off a five-run lead at the bottom of the ninth in Boston, Samy Natera Jr. allowed a hit and recorded a strikeout. Ryan Watson stranded a runner, striking out his only batter in the eighth, securing his fifth hold. He did not have to work the ninth once his team tacked two more runs on its lead.
- Seattle Mariners: Amid his team’s lopsided loss, Eduard Bazardo gave up three hits, two of which were home runs, four earned runs, and a walk while striking out one during one-third of the fifth. He has allowed at least a run in his last three, resulting in seven earned runs over 1.2 innings.
- Texas Rangers: In his first appearance since April 16, Robert Garcia retired the side and recorded a strikeout at the bottom of the seventh in Seattle. He threw eight pitches (87.5% strike rate) and induced one whiff.
National League
Arizona Diamondbacks – Overcoming the Royals’ late rally, Blake Walston suffered his first blown save, allowing the courtesy runner to score at the bottom of the tenth, but collected his first win, working a scoreless bottom of the 11th. He finished with an unearned run and three walks while striking out two across his two innings.
- Juan Morillo gave up two hits, including a game-tying two-run home run by John Rave at the bottom of the ninth, resulting in his fifth blown save.
- Jonathan Loáisiga retired the side, securing his tenth hold at the bottom of the eighth.
- Dennis Santana worked a scoreless seventh, yielding a hit and striking out three.
Hierarchy Remains: *Juan Morillo | *Brandyn Garcia | *Kevin Ginkel
*= closer-by-committee
Los Angeles Dodgers – Sealing a one-run lead and his 22nd save, Tanner Scott worked around Tyler Stephenson’s leadoff walk with consecutive strikeouts, followed by a game-ending groundout against Jose Trevino. He threw 20 pitches (70% strike rate) and produced two whiffs. He has recorded a save in his last two appearances among his team’s five save conversions over its last five games.
- Edgardo Henriquez allowed a hit and recorded a strikeout during two-thirds scoreless at the top of the eighth inning for his tenth hold. This extends his scoreless streak to 10 games, during which he’s posted a 0.322 WHIP with 17 strikeouts and one walk (50 K-BB%) over 9.1 innings.
Hierarchy Remains: Tanner Scott | Edgardo Henriquez | Jack Dreyer
New York Mets – Despite allowing two hits, including Jakob Marsee’s RBI double, Kodai Senga bore down, throwing 10 consecutive forkballs, resulting in consecutive strikeouts, and his seventh save. He threw 19 pitches (12 strikes; 63.2% strike rate) and racked up five whiffs (26.3 SwStr%). This snapped his five-game scoreless streak, but he owns a 1.05 WHIP while converting all seven save chances over his 14 appearances since converting into a reliever.
- Dedniel Nùñez notched his third hold, firing a clean bottom of the eighth and striking out one.
- Nate Lavender allowed two hits and struck out two in a scoreless seventh for his ninth hold.
- Jonathan Pintaro gave up a hit in a scoreless sixth, securing his second hold.
Updated Hierarchy: Kodai Senga | Dedniel Núñez | Nate Lavender
San Diego Padres – Capping his team’s rally, Adrian Morejon retired the side and recorded a strikeout against the Nationals, appearing in his third straight game. He threw seven pitches, all strikes, and generated three whiffs (42.9 SwStr%) while facing the 6-7-8 pocket.
- David Morgan was awarded his third win, stranding a runner and retiring his only batter at the top of the eighth, ahead of his team’s four-run outburst at the bottom of the inning.
- Yuki Matsui allowed two hits, including a solo home run, and struck out one during two-thirds of the eighth.
- Randy Vásquez logged 1.1 scoreless innings, yielding a hit and striking out two.
Hierarchy Remains: Mason Miller | Adrian Morejon | Bradgley Rodriguez
San Francisco Giants – From a waiver claim into a save opportunity, Joel Kuhnel stranded all three inherited runners at the top of the eighth and allowed two hits and an earned run at the top of the ninth, spoiling a combined shutout bid but finishing off an eventual one-run margin for his seventh save. He has secured a save for three different teams this season. He’s also the 11th reliever with a save for the Giants this season. Kuhnel threw 21 pitches (71.4% strike rate) and induced one whiff.
- Carson Seymour was credited with his seventh hold, giving up two walks and striking out one during two-thirds of the eighth inning.
- Reiver Sanmartin notched his fourth hold, yielding a hit during a scoreless seventh.
Updated Hierarchy: Dylan Smith | Trent Harris | Joel Kuhnel
Quick Hits
- Philadelphia Phillies: Keeping his team within two runs, José Alvarado worked a scoreless top of the ninth, walking one and striking out two. He has been scoreless in his last six games, securing three holds.
- Pittsburgh Pirates: Closing out a six-run lead over the White Sox, Yohan Ramírez retired the side and struck out one at the bottom of the ninth. Wilber Dotel logged two innings, allowing two hits and an earned run while striking out one.
Holds Tally
Here are the holds from Tuesday’s slate:
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Statistical Credits: