Saturday’s 13-game slate produced ten wins (two accompanied by blown saves), two saves, five losses, and four blown saves by relievers. Here are the saves in condensed form:
There have been 1,247 saves this season by 257 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. On the precipice of the last day of the regular season, here are the updated save trends since 2024:
Here are the last vulture save options this season:
Vulture Save Options for 9.27.2026
- Edwin Díaz (LAD): Scott has pitched in two straight games, and if Díaz is in play for postseason saves, why not provide him with an audition today?
I would like to believe Justin Martinez (ARI) will be in play for a save today, but nothing is assured with Torey Lovullo’s recent usage patterns.
In play because of injuries:
- Ryan Watson (LAA)
- Seranthony Domínguez (SEA)
- Andrew Morris (MIN)
As a reminder, Sandy Alcantara (MIA) will be available as a reliever in today’s game, potentially in his last appearance if the team does not pick up his $21 million team option for 2027.
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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Only four games can affect the playoffs. Houston owns the tiebreaker over Texas if both teams win. Texas can only win the American League West with a win in Minnesota and a Houston loss against the A’s. For Philadelphia, a win over Tampa Bay clinches their playoff berth and a series with Atlanta. However, a loss and an Arizona win against San Diego would complete an improbable run to the postseason. The remaining ten teams that have qualified seeds are set. Last but not least, weather will have an impact, making Sunday’s slate a slippery one for fantasy managers.
Today’s Takeaways
Hoffman gets shut down: Before Saturday’s games, the Twins placed Jeff Hoffman on the 15-day injured list:
The team considers it a minor issue and did not administer an MRI, opting for rest and recovery.
Closers can go home again: Camilo Doval made his season debut with his original franchise, striking out the side against the Dodgers’ top of the lineup. He threw 16 pitches (62.5% strike rate) and induced three whiffs (18.8 SwStr%), leaning into his slider:
He may not be a factor for saves in 2027, but he could be retained by the Giants if they tender him a contract.
Romano, regression, and the Rockies: Alliteration aside, beginning the bottom of the ninth with a six-run lead, Jordan Romano recorded a strikeout with the batter reaching on a wild pitch, issued a walk, then allowed a three-run home run (Andrew Benintendi) before bearing down and retiring the next three batters. He finished with a hit, three earned runs, and a walk while striking out two in a non-save outing. It’s the fourth time in his last eight games he has allowed at least a run, and the third time it’s been multiple runs.
Through 27 appearances for Colorado, he owns a 1.208 WHIP while converting 11 of 14 save opportunities. His SIERA has reached 4.06 in these outings while posting a 12.6 K-BB percentage. As a pending free agent, he could return to a situation he’s comfortable with, but can fantasy managers trust this type of production carries over next season while working with reduced four-seam fastball velocity?
Now it’s time for the remaining leverage events of interest from Saturday.
American League
Cleveland Guardians – Wrapping up a six-run margin and the team’s seventh American League Central division title in the last 11 years, Slade Cecconi retired the side at the bottom of the ninth in Kansas City.
Cade Smith stranded a runner and retired both batters in the eighth, securing his first hold. He would have returned for the ninth but was not needed when the team tacked on four runs at the top of the ninth. He’s been scoreless in his last 13 appearances, posting a 0.40 WHIP with 25 strikeouts and three walks (42.3 K-BB%) through 15 innings, recording three wins and seven saves.
Hierarchy Remains: Cade Smith | Hunter Gaddis | Erik Sabrowski
Seattle Mariners – Securing a four-run lead, Gabe Speier retired the side against the Angels’ 3-4-5 lineup pocket.
- Seranthony Domínguez was matched up against the top of the lineup featuring two right-handed hitters and worked a clean top of the eighth, recording one strikeout.
- Carlos Vargas let one of three inherited runners score, issuing a walk during his 1.2 scoreless innings. He was charged with his first blown save but was also awarded his third win as a result.
Updated Hierarchy: *Seranthony Domínguez | *Gabe Speier | Cooper Criswell
*= closer-by-committee
Texas Rangers – Sealing a four-run lead while striking out the side, Jacob Latz kept his team’s playoff hopes alive in Minnesota. He threw 17 pitches (13 strikes; 76.5% strike rate) and produced three whiffs (17.6 SwStr%).
- Tyler Alexander allowed two hits and an earned run while striking out one in the eighth.
- Jakob Junis tossed a scoreless seventh despite giving up a hit.
- Robert Garcia stranded two runners in the fifth and logged 1.2 scoreless innings, collecting his second win.
Hierarchy Remains: Jacob Latz | Chase Silseth | Robert Garcia
Quick Hits
- Detroit Tigers: Although he let an inherited runner score at the top of the eighth, Jacob Waguespack collected his second win, scattering two hits and striking out two over 1.1 scoreless innings, benefiting from a walk-off rally at the bottom of the ninth.
- Los Angeles Angels: Taking over a tied game at the bottom of the seventh, Mitch Farris allowed four earned runs. He also pitched the eighth, finishing with four hits and a walk while striking out three across his two innings, resulting in his fourth loss.
- Tampa Bay Rays: Forced into action at the bottom of the fourth, Steven Matz was awarded his sixth win, retiring the side and striking out one. Five relievers combined for six strikeouts against five walks while allowing five hits and an unearned run over the last five innings of an eventual 12-1 margin in Philadelphia.
National League
Arizona Diamondbacks – Deployed in an eventual loss, Justin Martinez fired a clean bottom of the eighth and recorded two strikeouts against the Padres, throwing 16 pitches (9 strikes; 56.3% strike rate) with four whiffs (25 SwStr%), while throwing the four fastest pitches on this slate:
He’s turned in ten scoreless outings in September, posting a 0.75 WHIP with 14 strikeouts and three walks (32.4 K-BB%) across 9.1 innings.
- Dennis Santana gave up three hits, two earned runs, and a walk between the sixth and seventh innings.
- Juan Morillo stranded one of two inherited runners, retiring both batters in the fifth.
- Jose Cabrera suffered his fourth loss and first blown save, allowing five hits, five earned runs, and a walk with two strikeouts across 1.1 innings.
Updated Hierarchy: *Juan Morillo | *Brandyn Garcia | *Justin Martinez
*= closer-by-committee
Atlanta Braves – Fate was not in line for Raisel Iglesias. The good news is that he worked a scoreless bottom of the ninth, closing out a five-run lead in Miami, navigating around a leadoff single by Griffin Conine. However, he missed a chance to set a career-high for saves and will settle for his fourth season with 34 saves. He finished the year with 1.083 WHIP and 64 strikeouts against 17 walks (19.7 K-BB%) across 60 innings.
- Dylan Lee secured his 31st hold, yielding a hit and striking out one in a scoreless eighth.
- Robert Suarez gave up two hits and an earned run in the seventh.
- Victor Mederos earned his sixth win, logging two scoreless innings, walking one, and striking out two.
Hierarchy Remains: Raisel Iglesias | Didier Fuentes | Dylan Lee
Los Angeles Dodgers – Capping his team’s ninth-inning go-ahead rally, Tanner Scott preserved the one-run lead in San Francisco, allowing Drew Cavanaugh’s two-out double and striking out two, including the game-ending out for his 25th save. He threw 14 pitches (85.7% strike rate) and racked up four whiffs (28.6 SwStr%). Not only did Scott set a career high with this save, but he will finish the season with a 0.989 WHIP, 82 strikeouts, and 15 walks (26.7 K-BB%) across 63.2 innings.
- Evan Phillips suffered his third blown save, giving up a hit and an earned run while striking out one in the eighth, but collected his third win as a result of his team’s rally in the ninth.
- Brock Stewart gave up a hit, an earned run, and a walk while striking out one in the seventh, credited with his ninth hold.
- Kris Bubic notched his second hold, yielding a hit and striking out one in the sixth.
- Alex Vesia fired a clean fifth, striking out two.
Hierarchy Remains: Tanner Scott | Roki Sasaki | Edwin Díaz
Milwaukee Brewers – Retiring all six batters and recording two strikeouts, Aaron Ashby locked down his fourth save, sealing a one-run lead over the Cardinals. He threw 26 pitches (16 strikes; 61.5% strike rate) and produced six whiffs (23.1 SwStr%).
- Antonio Senzatela notched his 11th save, striking out his only batter at the top of the seventh.
- JoJo Romero fired 1.2 clean frames and recorded three strikeouts for his 23rd hold.
- Kyle Harrison collected his 11th win, logging two clean innings while striking out four.
Hierarchy Remains: Trevor Megill | Abner Uribe | Aaron Ashby
Pittsburgh Pirates – An unceremonious end to his 25-game scoreless streak came in a walk-off loss for Mason Montgomery. He allowed a one-out single by Max Clark, a two-strike double by Hao-Yu Lee, and after inducing a groundout against Kevin McGonigle, Eduardo Valencia launched a two-run home run in a two-strike count, handing Montgomery his third blown save and his fourth loss. He threw 20 pitches (65% strike rate) and produced two whiffs in two-thirds of the ninth.
- Luke Weaver recorded his 24th hold, giving up a hit and striking out one in a scoreless eighth.
- Gregory Soto retired the side in the seventh, securing his 13th hold.
- Evan Sisk let his only inherited runner score, allowing two hits and striking out one in two-thirds of the sixth.
- Carmen Mlodzinski logged 2.1 innings, yielding a hit, an earned run, and two walks while striking out five across 2.1 innings, getting credit for his seventh hold.
Hierarchy Remains: Mason Montgomery | Luke Weaver | Gregory Soto
San Diego Padres – In a non-save appearance, Mason Miller allowed three hits, three earned runs, and two walks while striking out two, finishing off an eventual three-run margin over Arizona. He has allowed at least a run in his last two games and in three of his last five. With his team’s spot clinched for the playoffs, this should end his regular season. He will lead all relievers with 129 strikeouts, fielding the highest K-BB percentage (37.9) among all qualified relievers while recording 38 saves with a 0.90 WHIP over 70 innings.
- Adrian Morejon worked a scoreless eighth, walking one and striking out two.
- David Morgan gave up a hit and a walk with two strikeouts in the seventh.
- Bradgley Rodriguez logged two scoreless frames, yielding a hit and a walk while striking out one for his 17th hold.
- Yuki Matsui stranded a runner and retired his only batter via strikeout, earning his fifth win.
Hierarchy Remains: Mason Miller | Adrian Morejon | Bradgley Rodriguez
Quick Hits
- Colorado Rockies: Brennan Bernardino stranded a runner in the seventh and recorded four outs while giving up two hits and striking out one for his 14th hold. Ryan Feltner collected his seventh win as the bulk follower, scattering three hits with an earned run and two walks while striking out three across 3.2 innings.
- San Francisco Giants: Tasked with a tied game at the top of the ninth, Trent Harris allowed two hits, including a go-ahead solo home run by Kiké Hernández, resulting in his first loss and snapping his 15-game scoreless streak. Jason Foley worked a scoreless eighth, issuing a walk and recording a strikeout.
- Washington Nationals: As the bulk follower, Jake Irvin allowed seven hits, five runs (four earned), and two walks while striking out six over five innings, resulting in his tenth loss.
Holds Tally
Here are the holds from Saturday’s slate:
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