With the marathon regular season almost over, things remain unsettled in the National League Wild Card standings. There are eight possible scenarios covered in this column by Theo DeRosa of MLB.com, but here are the shortened possibilities for the three teams vying for two postseason spots:
For the American League, if Detroit wins, they will be the fifth seed and play at Baltimore. However, if they lose and Kansas City wins, the Royals will play Baltimore, and the Tigers face Houston.
Ten relievers recorded wins and seven secured saves from Saturday’s games. There were two four-inning saves, including a career first for Justin Wrobleski (LAD). Spencer Bivens (SF) also recorded his first career save, preserving a one-run win over the Cardinals. Our condensed game recaps cover all of yesterday’s high-leverage events of interest.
Closer CliffsNotes
A.J. Puk (ARI) took over with one out during a tied game at the top of the ninth against the Padres. He allowed a single by David Peralta, Kyle Hhigashioka’s go-ahead two-run home run, and Brandon Lockridge’s solo home run. Puk was removed after retiring Tyler Wade on a lineout, suffering his ninth loss. He lost a 25-game scoreless streak and allowed two home runs in a relief outing for the first time in his career. Scott McGough finished the ninth, giving up two hits and two earned runs. Justin Martinez retired all four batters, one via strikeout.
- Updated Hierarchy: *Justin Martinez | *A.J. Puk | Kevin Ginkel
- *= closer-by-committee
Raisel Iglesias (ATL) kept the game tied with a clean top of the ninth and collected his sixth win on a walk-off home run at the bottom of the inning. He threw 15 pitches (66.7 Strike%) and generated four whiffs (26.7 SwStr%) while recording two strikeouts. Over his last 13 outings, he’s been scoreless in 11 with two wins and five saves while posting 16 strikeouts against five walks.
- Hierarchy remains: Raisel Iglesias | Joe Jiménez | Pierce Johnson
Porter Hodge (CHC) fired a clean top of the ninth and recorded a strikeout for his ninth save. He threw 12 pitches (7 strikes – 58.3 Strike%) and induced one whiff. Since August 4, he’s appeared in 19 games and been scoreless in 18 while converting eight of nine save chances with 26 strikeouts against nine walks. Tyson Miller collected his fifth win, allowing a hit during two-thirds of the eighth.
- Hierarchy remains: Porter Hodge | Tyson Miller | Nate Pearson
Gus Varland (CHW) finished a combined shutout, allowing a walk during a scoreless bottom of the ninth. Michael Soroka notched his second hold, firing three clean frames and striking out five. He threw 43 pitches (29 strikes – 67.4 Strike%) and generated eight whiffs (18.6 SwStr%). He finishes September with three scoreless appearances, spanning 7.1 innings while recording 13 strikeouts against two walks.
- Hierarchy remains: Justin Anderson | Fraser Ellard | Prelander Berroa
Shawn Dubin (HOU) fired a clean bottom of the ninth and recorded two strikeouts, preserving a one-run win in Cleveland for his second save. He threw 14 pitches (64.2 Strike%) and produced three whiffs (21.4 SwStr%) versus the 7-8-9 lineup pocket. Ryan Pressly faced the heart of the Guardians’ lineup, working around José Ramírez’s lead-off double with a groundout and a fielder’s choice groundout, cutting down the runner at home for his 25th hold.
- Hierarchy remains: Josh Hader | Ryan Pressly | Bryan Abreu
Sam Long (KC) entered at the bottom of the eighth but suffered his third loss, allowing a walk-off Travis d’Arnaud home run in the ninth. Long finished 1.1 innings, giving up one hit, one earned run, and a walk while striking out three.
- Hierarchy remains: Lucas Erceg | John Schreiber | Kris Bubic
José Quijada (LAA) was summoned for the save chance with a three-run lead at the top of the ninth. He issued Marcus Semien a lead-off walk, recorded a strikeout, then another walk and a hit batter, loading the bases. After Nathaniel Lowe singled in a run, Quijada was removed, leaving three runners on base. Ryan Miller let all three inherited runners score, giving up a two-RBI single by Jonathan Ornelas, with the third scoring on a throwing error, resulting in his first blown save. Miller recorded two outs and allowed only one hit. Quijada was tagged with his second loss, allowing four runs (three earned) and three walks in one-third of the ninth.
- Updated Hierarchy: *José Quijada | *Ryan Miller | Brock Burke
- *= closer-by-committee
Justin Wrobleski (LAD) logged four scoreless frames during a lopsided win in Colorado, recording his first career save. He allowed two hits and two walks while striking out four on 49 pitches (33 strikes – 67.3 Strike%) with nine whiffs (18.4 SwStr%).
- Hierarchy remains: *Michael Kopech | *Blake Treinen | *Evan Phillips
- *= closer-by-committee
Darren McCaughan (MIA) logged four scoreless frames, scattering two hits and walking one while striking out four for his second save. He threw 54 pitches (37 strikes – 68.5 Strike%) and only induced two whiffs. He’s converted the team’s last two saves.
- Hierarchy remains: Jesús Tinoco | Declan Cronin | Anthony Bender
Devin Williams (MIL) preserved a combined shutout, issuing a one-out walk during a scoreless ninth in a non-save outing. He threw 14 pitches (71.4 Strike%) and produced three whiffs (21.4 SwStr%) in potentially his last outing of the regular season. He’s amid a 13-game scoreless streak and converted all nine save chances with 22 strikeouts against five walks.
- Hierarchy remains: Devin Williams | Trevor Megill | Joel Payamps
Scott Alexander (OAK) entered a tied game at the bottom of the tenth. He issued a one-out intentional walk to Dylan Moore and induced a fielder’s choice groundout, which scored the “place” runner, resulting in his third loss. Mason Miller could not protect a two-run lead at the bottom of the ninth. He allowed two hits, including a game-tying Luke Raley two-run home run, and recorded three strikeouts in his third blown save. He threw 17 pitches (13 strikes – 76.5 Strike%) and generated seven whiffs (41.2 SwStr%). In his previous 29 appearances, he converted all 16 save chances with 45 strikeouts versus nine walks across 32.1 innings since June 18.
- Hierarchy remains: Mason Miller | Tyler Ferguson | Michel Otañez
Jeff Hoffman (PHI) took over a tied game at the bottom of the eighth. He allowed four hits, including Joey Gallo’s three-run home run, and recorded two strikeouts, resulting in his third loss.
- Hierarchy remains: Carlos Estévez | Jeff Hoffman | Matt Strahm
Aroldis Chapman (PIT) was summoned with the bases loaded and one out. He protected the lead, striking out Aaron Judge and inducing a game-ending flyout by Austin Wells, resulting in his 14th save. He threw nine pitches (55.6 Strike%) and produced one whiff. He’s converted eight consecutive save opportunities and been scoreless in his last six. Jalen Beeks created the save situation, allowing two hits and a walk while striking out one in one-third of the ninth.
- Hierarchy remains: Aroldis Chapman | Dennis Santana | David Bednar
Yuki Matsui (SD) capped a five-run rally at the top of the ninth, completing a combined shutout. He navigated around a lead-off single with a lineout and consecutive strikeouts. Wandy Peralta collected his third win, issuing a walk during a scoreless bottom of the eighth.
- Hierarchy remains: Robert Suarez | Tanner Scott | Jason Adam
Eduard Bazardo (SEA) retired the side and recorded a strikeout at the top of the tenth, collecting his second win on a walk-off at the bottom of the inning. Collin Snider suffered his second blown save, giving up three hits, including Shea Langeliers’ three-run home run, and striking out two at the top of the ninth.
- Hierarchy remains: Andrés Muñoz | Collin Snider | Troy Taylor
Spencer Bivens (SF) recorded his first career save, allowing a lead-off single and retiring the next three batters, two via strikeout, sealing a one-run win. Ryan Walker took over at the top of the eighth against the Cardinals’ 2-3-4 lineup pocket, navigating around a hit and a walk for a scoreless outing. He collected his tenth win courtesy of his team’s rally at the bottom of the inning.
- Hierarchy remains: Ryan Walker | Tyler Rogers | Camilo Doval
Matthew Liberatore (STL) took over a tied game at the bottom of the eighth. He allowed two hits and an unearned run while striking out two, resulting in his fourth loss.
- Hierarchy remains: Ryan Helsley | Andrew Kittredge | Matthew Liberatore
Kirby Yates (TEX) retired the side and recorded one strikeout against the Angels’ 4-5-6 lineup pocket for his 33rd save. He threw nine pitches (66.7 Strike%) and produced two whiffs (22.2 SwStr%). He’s converted 12 consecutive save opportunities and been scoreless over his last 11 appearances with 11 strikeouts versus five walks with a 0.68 WHIP. Dane Dunning collected his fifth win, tossing a clean eighth and striking out one ahead of his team’s four-run top of the ninth. Marc Church allowed a hit and struck out one in a scoreless seventh while making his major league debut.
- Hierarchy remains: Kirby Yates | David Robertson | José Leclerc
Kyle Finnegan (WSH) entered with a four-run lead at the top of the ninth. He gave up Nick Castellanos’ lead-off triple and an RBI fielder’s choice while striking out one in a non-save capacity. He threw 13 pitches (10 strikes – 76.9 Strike%) and induced two whiffs (15.4 SwStr%). He’s allowed a run in three straight outings. Jose A. Ferrer was tagged with his first blown save and collected his first win, giving up Trea Turner’s game-tying two-run home run at the top of the eighth. He finished 1.1 innings with one hit, two earned runs, and a strikeout.
- Hierarchy remains: Kyle Finnegan | Derek Law | Jose A. Ferrer
Vulture Save Options for Sunday, September 29
- Andrew Kittredge (STL): Helsley will not pitch on Sunday, ending his season at 49 saves.
- Bryan Abreu (HOU): He’s the most rested high-leverage reliever and doubt Hader pitches today.
- Trevor Megill (MIL): Williams pitched last night and will be rested until their first playoff contest.
- Troy Taylor (SEA): Muñoz has not pitched since Tuesday, and the rookie secured his first on Friday.
- David Bednar (PIT): Chapman and Santana have appeared in back-to-back games.
- Michel Otañez (OAK): If the A’s rest Mller, their other flamethrowing rookie would be in line for the save.
Vulture Save Stashes for Monday, September 30
- José Butto (NYM)
- Pierce Johnson (ATL)
No Three Takeaways today, but our projected 2025 closers will be posted later today (Sunday, September 29).
Those seeking full game recaps should surf the team pages; they’ve all been updated with Saturday’s results.
Thanks for being a part of the Closer Monkey community. Stay safe and be well.
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