Sunday’s slate resulted in seven wins (two accompanied by blown saves), eight saves, six losses, and eight blown saves by relievers. Here are the saves in condensed form:
There have been 1,164 saves this season by 249 different pitchers. For perspective, this season has already set an MLB record for the number of pitchers with at least one save. Only one more reliever for 250 with a save this season.
Here are the upcoming vulture save options:
Vulture Save Options for 9.14.2026
- Justin Martinez (ARI): With the team’s playoff hopes fading, it’s time to see if he’s ready for save chances in 2027.
- Ryan Zeferjahn (CHC): If the matchups-based approach continues, he could be in line for the save tonight.
- Rico Garcia (BAL): It appears he’s moved ahead of Kittredge, but with Albernaz, nothing is assured.
- Brock Burke (CIN): Pagán has worked in back-to-back games.
Vulture Save Stashes for 9.15.2026
- Ryan Watson (LAA): If Joyce pitches tonight, he will be unavailable on Tuesday.
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 13th save, Mason Montgomery retired the side against the Cubs’ bottom third of the lineup, throwing seven pitches, all strikes, without a whiff. This extends his scoreless streak to 21 games, during which he owns a 0.59 WHIP with 30 strikeouts and four walks (34.7 K-BB%) across 20.1 innings while recording three wins and 11 saves.
- Luke Weaver tossed a clean eighth, notching his 21st hold.
- Carmen Mlodzinski let one of three inherited runners score at the bottom of the sixth, but logged 1.2 scoreless innings, walking two and striking out one for his sixth hold.
Montgomery has recorded 12 saves in the second half, and his 39 strikeouts rank fourth among all relievers. Paring down the field to qualified relievers, he’s second in K-BB% (37.4), second in WHIP (0.61), and first in SIERA (1.32). Those who were patient with the reliever are reaping the rewards.
Hierarchy Remains: Mason Montgomery | Luke Weaver | Gregory Soto
Today’s Takeaways
Sleepless in Seattle: An untimely collapse by the bullpen catapulted Andrés Muñoz into the major league lead, suffering his tenth blown save. He took over with one out at the bottom of the eighth and stranded a runner, retiring both batters, one on a strikeout. However, returning for the ninth, he allowed Zack Gelof’s leadoff single, followed by Lawrence Butler’s walk-off, two-run home run.
This snapped his five-game scoreless streak. Seranthony Domínguez was charged with his sixth blown save, letting both inherited runners score in the seventh, yielding two hits during his combined inning of relief. Gabe Speier allowed a hit and a walk, both scoring, putting two earned runs on his ledger while being credited with his 21st hold during one-third of the seventh.
It has been a confounding season for Muñoz. His actual results don’t match his expected. Count leverage matters, and when hitters can sit on four-seam, outcomes like Butler’s home run occur. He will continue to get save chances over the next two weeks; we’ll monitor how he does.
Hierarchy Remains: Andrés Muñoz | Gabe Speier | Seranthony Domínguez
Worried about Atlanta’s General Lee: Another rough outing for Dylan Lee resulted in four hits and four earned runs while getting saddled with his first loss during two-thirds of the eighth inning against the Phillies. He has allowed at least a run in six of his last 10 appearances. The rise in contact with a reduction in whiffs can be seen in his rolling-game chart from Fangraphs:
Which makes trusting him during the postseason risky. In the second half, he has a 13.8 K-BB% and a 1.57 WHIP. Hope lies in his 3.96 SIERA and 3.85 xERA, but recent results have been sporadic.
Here are the remaining leverage events of interest from Sunday.
American League
Boston Red Sox – Although he issued two walks, Aroldis Chapman secured his 34th save by recording all three outs on strikeouts, sealing a three-run lead over the Royals. He threw 25 pitches (52% strike rate) and produced three whiffs (12 SwStr%).
- Greg Weissert tossed a clean eighth, striking out one for his seventh hold.
- Garrett Whitlock let one of two inherited runners score, allowing Carter Jensen’s RBI single, then struck out Bobby Witt Jr. and induced an inning-ending flyout by Vinnie Pasquantino. He was tagged with his fourth blown save but collected his seventh win on his team’s go-ahead rally at the bottom of the inning.
- Erik Miller issued two walks, resulting in one earned run, but was credited with his 14th hold during one-third of the seventh.
Hierarchy Remains: Aroldis Chapman | Garrett Whitlock | Erik Miller
New York Yankees – Preserving a combined shutout and recording his 34th save, David Bednar worked around Bo Bichette’s one-out single with a fielder’s choice grounder and a game-ending flyout. He threw 18 pitches (13 strikes; 72.2% strike rate) and induced one whiff while recording one strikeout. He has converted his last seven save opportunities in his last 10 appearances, posting a 1.00 WHIP with 11 strikeouts and no walks (28.2 K-BB%).
- Paul Blackburn notched his 11th hold, giving up a hit during the top of the eighth.
- Brent Headrick fired a clean seventh, striking out one for his 29th hold.
Hierarchy Remains: David Bednar | Paul Blackburn | Brent Headrick
Texas Rangers – Hanging on for his 29th save, Jacob Latz took over with a three-run lead, allowing consecutive doubles, plating an earned run, and another RBI double with one out. However, he bore down, recording a strikeout, issuing Ketel Marte an intentional walk, followed by a game-ending pop-out by Gabriel Moreno, preserving a one-run margin. He finished with three hits, two earned runs, and a walk while striking out one, throwing 21 pitches (66.7% strike rate) with five whiffs (23.8 SwStr%). It’s his first save since September 1, and this outing marks the second time in his last four he has allowed multiple runs.
- Robert Garcia gave up two hits and struck out one in a scoreless bottom of the eighth for his third hold.
Updated Hierarchy: Jacob Latz | Jakob Junis | Robert Garcia
The Athletics – After working around Josh Naylor’s two-out single for a scoreless top of the ninth, Elvis Alvarado collected his fifth win on his team’s walk-off rally at the bottom of the frame.
- Hogan Harris gave up two hits, including Randy Arozarena’s solo home run at the top of the eighth.
- Geoff Hartlieb logged two scoreless innings, yielding a hit and striking out two.
- Luis Medina stranded two of three inherited runners, walking and striking out one during two-thirds of the fifth.
Updated Hierarchy: *Hogan Harris | *Elvis Alvarado | Luis Medina
*= closer-by-committee
Toronto Blue Jays – Closing out a seven-run margin over the Orioles, Michael Lorenzen gave up two hits and recorded a strikeout in a scoreless top of the ninth.
- Tyler Rogers notched his 32nd hold, yielding a hit and striking out one in the eighth.
- Mason Fluharty worked a scoreless seventh, giving up a hit and striking out two for his 16th hold.
- Braydon Fisher stranded two runners while striking out his only batter in the sixth, securing his 13th hold.
- Ricky Tiedemann allowed a hit and a walk while striking out one during two-thirds of the sixth, getting his first career hold.
Hierarchy Remains: Louis Varland | Tyler Rogers | Spencer Miles
Quick Hits
- Chicago White Sox: Called into action at the bottom of the sixth, Chris Murphy let all three inherited runners score on Alec Burleson’s three-RBI double, then recorded an inning-ending strikeout. He finished with 1.1 scoreless innings and four strikeouts, but was charged with his first blown save.
- Kansas City Royals: Taking over a tied game at the bottom of the seventh, Craig Kimbrel issued two walks, resulting in an earned run and his fifth loss during one-third of an inning. Connor Thomas let one of two inherited runners score, allowing Roman Anthony’s go-ahead RBI single and recording two strikeouts. Nate Pearson gave up three hits and two earned runs at the bottom of the eighth.
- Los Angeles Angels: Summoned at the bottom of the sixth, Tayler Saucedo let his only inherited runner score after allowing a hit and hitting a batter on a fielder’s choice groundout, resulting in his third blown save. Luke Murphy replaced him in the seventh and retired two of three batters, issuing a walk. Returning for the eighth, he gave up four hits, which resulted in four earned runs, and his third loss.
National League
Cincinnati Reds – Sealing a one-run lead and recording his 23rd save, Emilio Pagán navigated around Brice Turang’s leadoff single with a strikeout, a fielder’s choice groundout, and a game-ending flyout against Christian Yelich. He threw 17 pitches (12 strikes; 70.6% strike rate) without a whiff. He has been scoreless in his last five appearances.
- Brock Burke gave up a hit during a scoreless eighth, notching his 19th hold.
- Ben Williamson earned his fourth win, logging four innings, giving up two hits, an earned run, and striking out two.
Updated Hierarchy: Emilio Pagán | Brock Burke | Tejay Antone
Los Angeles Dodgers – With a runner on and no outs, Brock Stewart served up Agustín Ramírez’s walk-off, two-run home run. Tanner Scott was tagged with his sixth loss and a fourth blown save. He entered at the bottom of the eighth and stranded two runners with an inning-ending strikeout of Griffin Conine. However, upon his return for the ninth, Scott allowed three consecutive hits, including a game-tying two-RBI double by Javier Sanoja, prompting his removal. He finished with three hits and three earned runs while striking out one during one-third of an inning.
- Edgardo Henriquez was credited with his 11th hold, despite giving up three hits, two earned runs, and a walk while striking out one during two-thirds of the eighth inning.
- Alex Vesia fired a clean seventh, striking out one, securing his 20th hold.
Hierarchy Remains: Tanner Scott | Edgardo Henriquez | Jack Dreyer
Milwaukee Brewers – During an eventual one-run loss, DL Hall allowed a hit and a walk while striking out one at the top of the ninth against the Reds.
- Abner Uribe suffered his third loss, giving up two hits and an earned run while striking out one in the eighth.
- JoJo Romero logged 1.2 clean frames, striking out one.
- Antonio Senzatela let his only inherited runner score, yielding two hits and two earned runs on his ledger, and serving up Eugenio Suárez’s go-ahead three-run home run.
Hierarchy Remains: Trevor Megill | Abner Uribe | Aaron Ashby
San Diego Padres – Securing his second career save and his team’s seventh straight win, Yuki Matsui navigated around Bryce Eldridge’s two-out hit with a game-ending strikeout for his first save this season. He threw 21 pitches (71.4% strike rate) and induced one whiff.
- Randy Vásquez issued two walks and recorded a strikeout in a scoreless bottom of the eighth for his second hold.
- Wandy Peralta was awarded his third win, stranding two runners in the sixth and retiring all four batters faced, one via strikeout.
- David Morgan was credited with his third hold, giving up a hit and a walk while striking out one during two-thirds of the sixth.
Hierarchy Remains: Mason Miller | Adrian Morejon | Bradgley Rodriguez
St. Louis Cardinals – It was a white-knuckle ride, but George Soriano worked around Miguel Vargas’ leadoff single and a walk with a flyout, followed by a fielder’s choice grounder and another walk, with a game-ending flyout by Colson Montgomery for his fourth save. He threw 29 pitches (16 strikes; 55.2% strike rate) and induced two whiffs.
- Gordon Graceffo logged two clean frames and recorded three strikeouts for his seventh hold.
Updated Hierarchy: Riley O’Brien | Ryne Stanek | George Soriano
Washington Nationals – Representing the 13th pitcher with a save this season for the Nationals, Jack Sinclair allowed Josh Lowe’s leadoff double, who eventually scored on a second groundout, then recorded a game-ending strikeout of Zach Neto for his first career save. He threw 12 pitches (66.7% strike rate) and produced one whiff.
- Erik Tolman collected his first win despite giving up an unearned run and a walk while striking out two at the top of the eighth. Only the Cubs have had more pitchers record a save this year (14) than this leverage ladder.
Updated Hierarchy: *Clayton Beeter | *Erik Tolman | *Jack Sinclair
*= closer-by-committee
Quick Hits
- Miami Marlins: Forced into action at the top of the ninth, Dax Fulton stranded an inherited runner while retiring two of four batters faced, issuing a walk and hitting a batter while recording a strikeout during his two-thirds of the inning. He collected his second win courtesy of a walk-off rally at the bottom of the inning.
- Philadelphia Phillies: Despite allowing three hits and an earned run, resulting in his third blown save during the bottom of the seventh, José Alvarado was awarded his fourth win, courtesy of his team’s seven-run outburst at the top of the eighth. Alex McFarlane notched his fourth hold, retiring the side and striking out two at the bottom of the sixth.
Holds Tally
Here are the holds from Sunday’s slate:
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Statistical Credits: