Tuesday’s slate resulted in six wins (one accompanied by a blown save), six saves, seven losses, and six blown saves by relievers. Here are the saves in condensed form:
There have been 1,170 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.
Here are the upcoming vulture save options:
Vulture Save Options for 9.16.2026
- Andrew Kittredge (BAL): Garcia has appeared in back-to-back games.
- Jonathan Loáisiga (ARI): Morillo, Martinez, and Ginkel have worked in two straight, and Garcia logged two innings last night.
- Bryan Hudson (CHW): Taylor logged 1.2 innings while throwing 27 pitches last night.
- Dedniel Núñez (NYM): Senga has worked in consecutive games.
Vulture Save Stash for 9.17.2026
- Ryan Watson (LAA): He will be unavailable tonight after working in back-to-back games, and if Joyce pitches, he will not be used on Thursday.
- Abner Uribe (MIL): If Megill pitches today, it’s consecutive appearances.
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
Uncertainty for Taylor: After retiring Cleveland’s 2-3-4 hitters at the bottom of the eighth, Grant Taylor returned with a one-run lead for the bottom of the ninth. It started with Nathaniel Lowe’s leadoff single, followed by a strikeout, a walk, and a groundout. With two outs and the left fielder playing shallow, Brayan Rocchio launched an opposite-field, two-RBI, walk-off double, handing Taylor his third loss and a seventh blown save. Without a defined role, he has allowed at least a run in four consecutive outings. Bryan Hudson retired the side in the seventh, notching his tenth hold.
This has been discussed in previous posts, but the varied usage patterns for Taylor make having him active difficult.
Hierarchy Remains: *Grant Taylor | *Bryan Hudson | Hagen Smith
*= closer-by-committee
More issues for the Cubs’ bullpen: As the first reliever in, Daniel Palencia stranded a runner and retired his only batter at the top of the sixth, securing his first hold. Jacob Webb allowed two hits, including a two-run home run by Ozzie Albies, and issued a walk during two-thirds of the seventh, resulting in his fifth loss and an eighth blown save. Edward Cabrera made his first relief outing since 2023 and logged 1.1 scoreless innings through the eighth. However, when he returned for the ninth, he allowed a one-out hit, followed by a walk, picking off a runner at first, then serving up a two-run, two-out home run by Drake Baldwin.
Cabrera finished with two hits, two earned runs, and two walks while striking out three across 2.1 innings. If he left after the eighth inning, the fantasy community may see him as a factor in future high-leverage events, which could happen, but nothing seems assured in this leverage ladder. Also, Shelby Miller’s return-to-play protocols were shut down, and he will not pitch for the Cubs this season.
Hierarchy Remains: *Ryan Zeferjahn | *Ryan Rolison | Jacob Webb
*= closer-by-committee
Kodai’s first blown save: New York Mets – Taking over a tied game at the top of the 11th, Jonathan Pintaro allowed two hits, including Coby Mayo’s inside-the-park home run, three runs (two earned), and a walk while striking out two during his second loss.
- Daniel Duarte let the courtesy runner score, yielding a hit and striking out two in the tenth.
- Kodai Senga suffered his first blown save, giving up Pete Alonso’s game-tying solo home run and recording two strikeouts at the top of the ninth.
- Nate Lavender logged 1.2 clean innings, striking out four for his tenth hold.
- Austin Warren worked a clean combined inning, striking out one for his second hold.
Hierarchy Remains: Kodai Senga | Dedniel Núñez | Nate Lavender
Here are the remaining leverage events of interest from Tuesday.
American League
Baltimore Orioles – Capping his team’s three-run rally at the top of the 11th, Andrew Kittredge gave up a two-out RBI single by Bo Bichette, but no further damage, giving up an unearned run while recording his 10th save. He threw 20 pitches (70% strike rate) without a whiff.
- Alex Hoppe gave up a hit, an unearned run, and a walk while striking out one in the tenth, collecting his first win and being tagged with his first blown save.
- Josh Walker stranded two runners while retiring his only batter in the ninth.
- Rico Garcia allowed a hit and a walk, then was removed with two outs after an error did not result in an inning-ending double play.
Hierarchy Remains: Rico Garcia | Andrew Kittredge | Josh Walker
Cleveland Guardians – Working 1.2 scoreless innings kept his team within one run, then Cade Smith collected his sixth win courtesy of a walk-off rally at the bottom of the ninth. He threw 16 pitches (75% strike rate) and produced four whiffs (25 SwStr%) while striking out one. He has been scoreless in his last seven appearances, posting a 0.50 WHIP with 14 strikeouts and two walks (38.7 K-BB%) over eight innings, recording three wins and two saves.
- Tim Herrin tossed a scoreless combined inning, walking one and striking out two.
- Hunter Gaddis let all three inherited runners score, allowing two hits and an earned run on his ledger while striking out two, resulting in his fourth blown save.
- Craig Yoho was awarded his third hold despite giving up a hit, three earned runs, and two walks during one-third of the sixth.
Hierarchy Remains: Cade Smith | Hunter Gaddis | Erik Sabrowski
Houston Astros – Securing his 26th save and preserving a one-run lead, Josh Hader worked around Salvador Perez’s one-out single with a pop-out and a game-ending strikeout. He threw 13 pitches (10 strikes; 76.9% strike rate) and racked up three whiffs (23.1 SwStr%). He has been scoreless in five of six games this month, converting five saves while recording a 0.50 WHIP with seven strikeouts and no walks (33.3 SwStr%) over six innings.
- Bryan Abreu fired a clean eighth, striking out one for his 15th hold.
- A.J. Blubaugh retired the side and struck out one in the seventh, notching his 11th hold.
- Bennett Sousa allowed a solo home run and recorded a strikeout for his tenth hold in the sixth.
Hierarchy Remains: Josh Hader | Bryan Abreu | A.J. Blubaugh
Los Angeles Angels – Sealing a one-run lead and his third save, Ryan Watson allowed Josh Naylor’s one-out single and induced a game-ending double-play groundout. He threw 13 pitches (7 strikes; 53.8% strike rate) and produced two whiffs (15.4 SwStr%). He has been scoreless in his last eight games, recording a 0.571 WHIP with eight strikeouts and one walk over eight games.
- José Fermin fired a clean eighth, striking out one for his eighth hold.
- Tayler Saucedo worked a clean seventh, recording a strikeout and his eighth hold.
Updated Hierarchy: Ben Joyce | Ryan Watson | Tayler Saucedo
Tampa Bay Rays – With the score tied at the top of the ninth, Bryan Baker retired the A’s 2-3-4 hitters in order, throwing seven pitches (3 strikes; 42.9% strike rate) without a whiff. He collected his third win courtesy of a walk-off home run at the bottom of the inning. He has been scoreless in his last four, recording two wins and a save.
- Kevin Kelly fired a clean eighth, striking out the side.
- Cam Booser stranded a runner in the sixth and retired all four batters, striking out one.
- Ty Johnson gave up two hits and an earned run while striking out one during two-thirds of the sixth, suffering his first blown save.
Before this contest, Tyler Wells was placed on the 15-day injured list.
Updated Hierarchy: Bryan Baker | Kevin Kelly | Cam Booser
Texas Rangers – Called upon with two runners on and one out at the top of the eighth, Jacob Latz stranded both, logging 1.2 scoreless innings, giving up a hit and a walk while striking out three, sealing a two-run lead while recording his 30th save. He threw 27 pitches (17 strikes; 63% strike rate) and induced four whiffs (14.8 SwStr%).
- Robert Garcia gave up a hit and a walk during one-third of the eighth, but was credited with his fourth hold.
- Tyler Alexander tossed a scoreless seventh, striking out one for his 13th hold.
- Chase Silseth yielded a hit and struck out three in the sixth, securing his 16th hold.
Hierarchy: Jacob Latz | Jakob Junis | Robert Garcia
Quick Hits
- Boston Red Sox: In an eventual loss, Brayan Bello retired all five batters, two via strikeout, throwing 19 pitches (13 strikes; 68.4% strike rate) with four whiffs (21.1 SwStr%).
- The Athletics: Tasked with a tied score at the bottom of the ninth, Elvis Alvarado allowed Junior Caminero’s walk-off home run, resulting in his fourth loss. Hogan Harris worked a scoreless eighth, giving up a hit and striking out one. Luis Medina stranded two runners, striking out his only batter in the seventh.
- Toronto Blue Jays: Entering at the top of the fourth, Michael Lorenzen gave up four hits, five earned runs, and three walks while striking out one, resulting in his 13th loss.
National League
Arizona Diamondbacks – At the top of the 11th, Taylor Clarke issued Kyle Stowers an intentional walk with one out, and with two outs, walked Otto Lopez, followed by a bases-clearing three-RBI double by Esteury Ruiz, resulting in his fourth loss.
- Kevin Ginkel retired the side and recorded two strikeouts in the tenth.
- Juan Morillo tossed a clean ninth.
- Brandyn Garcia logged two scoreless innings, yielding a hit and striking out one.
- Justin Martinez gave up a hit and recorded a strikeout in a scoreless sixth.
Updated Hierarchy: *Juan Morillo | *Brandyn Garcia | Justin Martinez
*= closer-by-committee
Atlanta Braves – Shutting the door on his 33rd save, Raisel Iglesias retired the side while facing the Cubs’ 8-9-1 pocket, throwing 15 pitches (11 strikes; 73.3% strike rate) and inducing one whiff. Since August 16, he has converted all nine save chances, posting a 0.971 WHIP with eight strikeouts and four walks while being scoreless in eight of 11 appearances.
- Didier Fuentes notched his 17th hold, recording two clean innings and striking out two on 35 pitches (23 strikes; 65.7% strike rate) with two whiffs.
Hierarchy Remains: Raisel Iglesias | Didier Fuentes | Dylan Lee
Washington Nationals – Facing the Phillies’ 6-7-8 batters, Erik Tolman retired the side, sealing a three-run lead for his third save. He threw 13 pitches (8 strikes; 61.5% strike rate) without a whiff. He has emerged as a trusted option for Blake Butera in the late innings in recent appearances.
- Brad Lord stranded a runner and retired his only batter in the eighth, securing his seventh hold.
- Richard Lovelady recorded three outs across the seventh and eighth innings, yielding a hit and striking out one. He was awarded his third win as a result.
- Yovanny Cruz retired all five batters faced after taking over in the sixth.
Updated Hierarchy: *Jack Sinclair | *Erik Tolman | *Will Dion
*= closer-by-committee
Quick Hits
- Colorado Rockies: Deployed as the bulk follower, Ryan Feltner earned his sixth win, tossing five scoreless innings, scattering three hits and issuing a walk while striking out five.
- Los Angeles Dodgers: Working into and then out of trouble, Tanner Scott preserved a combined shutout in Cincinnati, issuing a leadoff walk and giving up a single by Elly De La Cruz, putting runners on the corners. However, he bore down, striking out the next three batters. He threw 17 pitches (12 strikes; 70.6% strike rate) and generated five whiffs (29.4 SwStr%).
- Miami Marlins: After working a scoreless bottom of the tenth, Josh Ekness returned for the 11th with a three-run lead. He did let the courtesy runner score on Ketel Marte’s RBI double, but retired the other three batters in the inning, earning his second win. He finished with a hit, an unearned run, and a walk (intentional – Corbin Carroll) while striking out two. All told, the Marlins used seven relievers in this contest.
- Milwaukee Brewers: Closing out a four-run lead in Pittsburgh and making his first appearance in a week, Trevor Megill navigated around consecutive hits at the bottom of the ninth, then induced a fielder’s choice grounder, followed by back-to-back pop-outs. He threw 16 pitches (75% strike rate) and produced four whiffs (25 SwStr%). He had allowed at least a run in his previous two outings.
- Philadelphia Phillies: Summoned with two runners on and one out at the bottom of the seventh, Jonathan Bowlan let both score, serving up a go-ahead three-run home run by Daylen Lyle, then striking out the next two batters.
- San Diego Padres: Taking over at the bottom of the fifth with two outs, Wandy Peralta stranded a runner. Returning for the sixth, he gave up four hits and four earned runs with a strikeout, suffering his third loss across his two-thirds of an inning.
Holds Tally
Here are the holds from Tuesday’s slate:
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Statistical Credits: