46 Craig Kimbrel RP

Kimbrel picked up his 41st save of the season Saturday against the Mets, striking out one across a perfect ninth inning.

Kimbrel needed just 16 pitches -- 10 of which were strikes -- to retire the Mets in order. He's converted all four of his save chances in September, striking out nine batters while issuing just three walks across six innings in those appearances. Kimbrel's 41 saves are second in the majors.

Kimbrel (5-1) tossed a perfect ninth inning to collect his 40th save of the season in Thursday's victory over the Blue Jays.

Kimbrel threw seven of his eight pitches for strikes and collected one strikeout in the frame. This marks the first time that he's notched 40 saves in a season since 2014 when he was a member of the Braves. He now owns a 2.33 ERA this season with an impressive 89 strikeouts in 58 innings.

Kimbrel walked one and struck out two, picking up the save in Wednesday's 1-0 win over the Blue Jays.

Kimbrel saved it for David Price, who was brilliant in seven innings of three-hit, no-run pitching. It was Kimbrel's 39th save and seventh time in the last eight outings he hasn't allowed a run. Kimbrel had a rough patch in late July and early August, but has somewhat righted the ship. He's allowed just one run over his last nine innings, although the seven walks permitted over that stretch is a troubling sign. In the past, it's been a surfeit of walks that gets Kimbrel intro trouble. Like in 2016 when he had a 5.1 BB/9 and a career-worst 3.40 ERA.

Kimbrel struck out the side in the ninth inning of Sunday's 9-1 loss to the Rays.

Kimbrel needed the work desperately as he hadn't pitched since Aug. 18. The Red Sox are currently sliding, having lost six of their last eight games, so there haven't been many save opportunities.

Kimbrel struck out one in a perfect ninth inning Saturday to record his 37th save of the season in a 5-2 win over the Rays.

The closer had been scuffling in late July and early August, allowing runs in five of six appearances at one point, but he seems to be back on track now. Kimbrel's 37 saves are already his highest total in three seasons with Boston, and a big finish to the campaign would allow him to challenge the career-high 50 he posted in 2013.