Sunday’s 14-game slate produced nine wins (one accompanied by a blown save), seven saves, five losses, and two blown saves by relievers. Here are the saves in condensed form:
There were 1,254 saves this season by 257 different pitchers. For perspective, this season set an MLB record for the number of pitchers with at least one save; the previous record was 223 in 2024.
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 third save, Sandy Alcantara retired the side and recorded a strikeout at the top of the ninth against Atlanta, preserving a two-run lead.
He threw 10 pitches (80% strike rate) and produced two whiffs (20 SwStr%). He finishes the season with 13 wins and three saves while logging the most innings in the majors (214.2).
- Josh Ekness fired a clean eighth, striking out one for his third hold.
- Calvin Faucher gave up two hits, two earned runs, and a walk while striking out two, but was credited with his 19th hold in the seventh inning.
- Michael Petersen stranded two runners in the fifth and logged 1.1 scoreless innings while issuing one walk, earning his fourth win.
Teams often imitate innovative ideas like an opener. Will the Marlins’ having their starting pitchers throw leverage innings instead of side sessions carry over into 2027? Eury Pérez and Alcantara logged relief outings in between starts at the end of the season without any performance issues. This will be intriguing to monitor moving forward.
Today’s Takeaways
Command and J-Mart: With the score tied at the bottom of the seventh, Justin Martinez struggled in his second appearance on zero days’ rest. He issued four walks that resulted in three earned runs and only recorded one out, throwing 22 pitches (6 strikes; 27.3% strike rate) without a whiff, and snapping his 10-game scoreless streak. Here is his pitch illustrator from this appearance:
Did Edwin earn his way back into the trust tree? Turning in his fifth scoreless appearance in September, Edwin Díaz fired a clean bottom of the sixth and recorded a strikeout on 11 pitches (72.7% strike rate) with one whiff:
He’s been efficient this month, throwing 83 pitches (66.3% strike rate) with 12 whiffs (14.5 SwStr%) while racking up nine strikeouts versus one walk (47.1 K-BB%) across five innings. How he performs in the playoffs may determine his price point in next year’s draft capital. Here are his splits by pitch from September:
- Four-seam fastball: 97.2 miles per hour (average velocity), 42 pitches (51.9 percent usage), 2:1 K:BB, 13.4 K-BB%, 16.7 percent swinging strike rate, .171 xwOBA
- Slider: 39 pitches (48.1 percent usage), 6:0 K:BB, 60 K-BB%, 15.4 percent swinging strike rate, .074 xwOBA
Stay tuned for his performance in the postseason and role.
Now it’s time for the remaining leverage events of interest from Sunday.
American League
Chicago White Sox – Logging 3.1 innings, Trevor Richards allowed Cole Carigg’s solo home run and recorded three strikeouts, securing his second save while finishing off a two-run lead over the Rockies. He threw 46 pitches (31 strikes; 67.4% strike rate) and produced nine whiffs (19.6 SwStr%).
- Sean Newcomb notched his 12th hold, allowing a walk and striking out two in two-thirds of the sixth inning.
Houston Astros – Operating as the bulk follower in a combined shutout, Ethan Pecko collected his second win, yielding a hit and striking out two across three innings.
- Miguel Ullola issued a walk and recorded a strikeout in the sixth.
- Bryan King navigated around two hits and a walk while striking out two in the seventh.
- Logan VanWey walked one in the eighth.
- Tatsuya Imai fired a clean bottom of the ninth, striking out one.
Kansas City Royals – After recording the team’s first save in March, Lucas Erceg lost the closer role, spent time at Triple-A, and notched his 13th save on the last day of the season, working around a two-out single for a scoreless ninth. He threw 17 pitches (13 strikes; 76.5% strike rate) and induced two whiffs (11.8 SwStr%) while recording a strikeout.
- Nate Pearson collected his third win, issuing a walk and retiring two batters in the eighth, ahead of his team’s go-ahead rally at the bottom of the frame.
- Connor Thomas logged 1.1 clean innings, striking out one.
Seattle Mariners – Entering at the top of the fifth, Eduard Bazardo was awarded his fourth win, stranding a runner while giving up a hit. Returning for the sixth, he gave up a single and a walk, then was removed, with an earned run added to his ledger when Hoby Milner let one of two inherited runners score. He logged two scoreless innings, scattering two hits and striking out one for his seventh hold.
Quick Hits
- Cleveland Guardians: As the bulk follower, Austin Peterson suffered his first loss, giving up three hits, two earned runs, and two walks while striking out five across five innings.
- Minnesota Twins: Closing out an eventual two-run victory, Andrew Morris allowed two hits, including Corey Seager’s two-run home run, and recorded a strikeout at the top of the ninth. A.J. Minter served up a solo home run (Elias Díaz) at the top of the eighth.
- Texas Rangers: Called on at the bottom of the third, Chase Silseth allowed two hits, two earned runs, and recorded a strikeout while only retiring one batter, resulting in his fourth loss. Robert Garcia stranded a runner, recording the last out of the third.
National League
Chicago Cubs – Logging two clean frames and recording a strikeout, Colin Rea posted his second save, preserving a win over Boston in Tampa Bay. He threw 20 pitches (75% strike rate) and produced four whiffs (20 SwStr%).
- Jacob Webb fired a clean seventh, striking out one for his ninth hold.
- Braxton Garrett collected his first win, allowing four hits, an earned run, and three walks while striking out two over five bulk innings.
Los Angeles Dodgers – Finishing off a four-run lead at the bottom of the tenth, Evan Phillips retired the side and recorded two strikeouts against the Giants.
Alex Vesia earned his third win, firing a clean ninth and striking out one.
- Bobby Miller logged two scoreless innings, giving up a hit and two walks while striking out five.
- Edwin Díaz worked a clean sixth, striking out one.
- Roki Sasaki tossed a clean fifth, recording two strikeouts.
Milwaukee Brewers – Summoned with one out at the top of the eighth, Shane Drohan set down all five batters faced, two via strikeout, locking down his second save while closing out a two-run margin over St. Louis. He threw 21 pitches (13 strikes; 61.9% strike rate) and generated five whiffs (23.8 SwStr%).
- Chad Patrick allowed two hits, four earned runs, and two walks during one-third of the eighth, prompting his removal.
- DL Hall stranded a runner in the sixth and logged 1.2 scoreless innings, issuing a walk and striking out one.
Philadelphia Phillies – Sealing a four-run lead and his team’s spot in the postseason, Jhoan Duran retired the Rays’ 6-7-8 hitters in order, including consecutive game-ending strikeouts. He threw 13 pitches (9 strikes; 69.2% strike rate) and racked up five whiffs (38.5 SwStr%). He converted 33 of 35 save chances this season, posting a 0.994 WHIP with 84 strikeouts and 10 walks (31.4 K-BB%) across 59.1 innings.
- Jesús Luzardo tossed a clean top of the eighth in his return from the injured list.
Pittsburgh Pirates – Bouncing back from yesterday’s blown save, Mason Montgomery fired a clean bottom of the ninth and recorded two strikeouts, nailing down his 18th save while protecting a two-run lead in Detroit. He threw 14 pitches (8 strikes; 57.1% strike rate) and produced two whiffs (14.3 SwStr%). He finishes the season with a 1.049 WHIP and 105 strikeouts against 26 walks (28.4 K-BB%) over 68.2 innings, though he made five starts as an opener this season.
- Lake Bachar earned his second win, working 1.2 scoreless innings and recording four strikeouts.
Washington Nationals – Taking over at the top of the eighth, Erik Tolman stranded a runner and logged 1.1 scoreless innings, allowing a hit and a walk while striking out two, preserving a two-run lead for his fifth save. He threw 22 pitches (15 strikes; 68.2% strike rate) and produced five whiffs (22.7 SwStr%), becoming the third reliever with at least five saves for the Nationals this season. Jack Sinclair notched his fifth hold and recorded a strikeout during two-thirds of the eighth.
- Riley Cornelio worked two scoreless innings, giving up a hit and a walk while striking out two, securing his first hold.
- Will Dion collected his third win, logging two scoreless innings, yielding a hit and a walk while recording two strikeouts.
Quick Hits
- Colorado Rockies: During an eventual loss, Jaden Hill tossed a scoreless bottom of the eighth, giving up a hit and striking out two against the White Sox. He threw 15 pitches (66.7% strike rate) and generated seven whiffs (46.7 SwStr%). He finished the season on a five-game scoreless streak.
- San Diego Padres: Another strange outing for Griffin Canning, but he collected his fifth win while also getting tagged with his first blown save in his outing against Arizona. He ceded a three-run lead at the top of the seventh, but benefited from his team’s three-run answer at the bottom of the inning. Canning logged three innings, giving up five hits, three earned runs, and a walk while striking out two, throwing 64 pitches (37 strikes; 57.8% strike rate).
- San Francisco Giants: Tasked with the top of the tenth against the Dodgers, Duncan Davitt suffered his first loss, allowing two hits, four runs (three earned), and a walk. Camilo Doval worked a scoreless ninth, issuing a walk and recording a strikeout.
Holds Tally
Here are the holds from Sunday’s slate:
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Statistical Credits: