Louis Varland notches win against Astros

Varland entered in the top of the ninth with two men on and nobody out but slammed the door to bounce back from Monday’s outing against the Tigers. The right-hander has allowed just five earned runs in the second half. He has a 1.30 ERA on the year and is tracking to be one of the earliest-drafted closers in 2027 fantasy leagues.

The two singles Varland allowed tonight were hit 43 and 52 mph. Third baseman Kazuma Okamoto couldn’t make a play on the first one, and the second, with two outs and the bases loaded following two walks, was a grounder to short beaten out by Jeff McNeil, ending the game. It’s the first run Varland has given up since Aug. 8 and just the 10th earned run he’s allowed on the season.

Varland came on with a one-run lead in the bottom of the ninth, but the Royals didn’t put up much of a fight. A groundout, a strikeout and another groundout ended the game. He threw 13 pitches. Varland has a 1.15 ERA in his breakout season as the Blue Jays closer.

Tasked with the middle of the Cleveland order, he allowed a hard single to José Ramírez and a walk to Nathaniel Lowe before striking out Angel Genao on three pitches to end the game. Varland hit a (relative) rough patch at the beginning of the month, but now has reeled off eight scoreless outings in a row to lower his ERA to 1.18.

Varland took the mound in the top of the ninth to close out the game against the Mariners with a one-run lead. He made an excellent play to beat the runner to first on a groundout to retire the first batter, then struck out the next before inducing a weak fly-out to end the game with his 31st save of the season.

A multi-inning master, this was Varland’s 13th outing this season getting four or more outs. His incredible efficiency makes those outings easier than they are for most, just like here where it only took him 15 pitches and he faced six total batters. He’s the seventh reliever to reach 30 saves so far this season and his 1.20 ERA is only higher than Mason Miller’s among all closers.

Varland got the call to protect a one-run lead in the final frame at Yankee Stadium and managed to work around a leadoff double by Jazz Chisholm Jr. to preserve the narrow victory. He struck out Austin Wells, coaxed a ground ball from José Caballero and struck out Trent Grisham to strand the potential tying run in scoring position. The 28-year-old has been a revelation this season, converting 29 of 30 save chances to go along with a microscopic 1.22 ERA and 82/18 K/BB ratio across 66 1/3 innings of work. He’s one save away from becoming the sixth stopper to reach the 30-save plateau this season.

Varland was summoned in the top of the ninth to close out the game against the Yankees with a three-run lead. He shut the door on New York, striking out the side on 13 pitches to convert his 28th save of the season with a 1.26 ERA, 0.96 WHIP, and a 79/17 K/BB ratio across 64 1/3 innings.

Lee, 28, is sent down to make room for Rickey Tiedemann. The right-hander will likely get another shot with Toronto before the season concludes with rosters expanding in a few weeks.

The Blue Jays led 6-1 heading into the ninth inning, but the Red Sox rallied, creating a save situation for Varland. He retired both hitters he faced to preserve the win and earn his 26th. Varland came out of nowhere this season to become the Blue Jays closer and with a 1.30 ERA he’s been one of the best in the game.