In this week’s Closer report, we take a look at first-half saves beyond the usual spotlight and assess if they’re worth tracking with just two weeks left until the trading deadline.
Fantasy Baseball Rankings
Tier 1: Top Closers
Josh Hader – Houston Astros
Hader surrendered another home run in his last appearance before the break, blowing a save against the Rangers. Six of the eight home runs he allowed came last month, pushing his ERA from 1.80 to 2.53 after giving up four runs in his last two outings. Despite these stats showing some potential for regression, he remains the top fantasy closer.
Tier 2: Elite Closers
Andrés Muñoz – Seattle Mariners
Edwin Diaz – New York Mets
Aroldis Chapman – Boston Red Sox
Joan Duran – Minnesota Twins
Emmanuel Clase – Cleveland Guardians
Robert Suarez – San Diego Padres
Muñoz blew a save against the Yankees last Thursday but recovered with a scoreless inning against the Tigers on Sunday. He started July strong with four saves in six days after managing just one in June. The 26-year-old right-hander boasts 21 saves, a 1.50 ERA, 0.89 WHIP, and a 46/14 K/BB ratio in 36 innings at the break.
Diaz’s final outing before the break was a two-inning save against the Royals. He holds a stellar 1.66 ERA, 0.87 WHIP, and 55/13 K/BB ratio in 38 innings with 19 saves this season. After missing 2023 and underperforming early in 2024 due to injury, the 31-year-old has returned to dominance.
Chapman was the best closer in baseball last month, maintaining a 49% K-BB ratio since June. He secured two saves before the break and has an 18-game scoreless streak while hitting five batters in two scoreless innings.
Duran secured a save last Friday but faltered on Sunday, allowing a run on three hits. The 27-year-old right-hander has a 1.66 ERA, 1.13 WHIP, and a 49/16 K/BB ratio with 15 saves in 43 1/3 innings in the second half. Both he and setup man Griffin Jax could be valuable trade assets, as both have three years of team control remaining.
Clase recorded a scoreless save against the White Sox on Friday and pitched two innings on Sunday. The right-hander has 20 saves with a 2.91 ERA, 1.22 WHIP, and a 42/10 K/BB ratio in 43 1/3 innings. Suarez notched a perfect inning with a strikeout last Thursday for his 28th save before the break and added another clean inning on Sunday.
Tier 3: Reliable Options
Mason Miller – Track and Field
Devin Williams – New York Yankees
Trevor Megill – Milwaukee Brewers
Felix Bautista – Baltimore Orioles
Tanner Scott – Los Angeles
Will Vest – Detroit Tigers
Emilio Pagan – Cincinnati Reds
David Bednar – Pittsburgh Pirates
Daniel Palencia – Chicago Cubs
Camilo Doval – San Francisco Giants
Ryan Helsley – St. Louis Cardinals
Carlos Estevez – Kansas City Royals
Jeff Hoffman – Toronto Blue Jays
Pete Fairbanks – Tampa Bay Rays
Kyle Finnegan – Washington Nationals
Kenley Jansen – Los Angeles Angels
Mason Miller had three scoreless outings, including back-to-back saves, appearing to be back on track. He has a 4.04 ERA, 1.07 WHIP, and 19 saves in 35 2/3 innings with a 57/17 K/BB ratio.
Williams entered the break on a four-game scoreless streak after giving up two runs to the Blue Jays on July 2nd. Megill has not played since the last report but holds a 2.41 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, and 21 saves in 33 innings with a 43/15 K/BB ratio.
Bautista recorded his 18th save with a scoreless inning against the Mets and has been impressive coming back from Tommy John surgery with a 2.41 ERA, 1.04 WHIP, and 48/20 K/BB ratio in 33 innings.
Scott saved two games with a clean inning Saturday but blew a save Sunday, allowing two runs. He has struggled recently, and Blake Treinen may soon compete for save opportunities once activated from injury.
Vest blew his only save opportunity last week but has maintained a strong first half with 15 saves, a 2.30 ERA, and a 1.02 WHIP in 43 innings.
Pagan had back-to-back scoreless outings closing out his 20th save. He’s posted a 2.93 ERA and 0.88 WHIP in 40 innings. Bednar pitched twice over the weekend to notch his 13th save, and Palencia added two saves while maintaining a 0.87 WHIP and 39/11 K/BB ratio in 34 1/3 innings.
Doval showed volatility with walks and a drop in strikeouts but earned another save Sunday. Helsley was hit hard Saturday but recovered for a save Sunday with a 3.27 ERA and 1.42 WHIP over 33 innings. Estevez pitched two scoreless innings Friday but gave up two runs Sunday. Hoffman ended a nine-game scoreless streak by allowing three runs Friday, holding a 5.03 ERA at the break.
Fairbanks blew a save Friday and allowed two runs; he has a 2.75 ERA and 1.14 WHIP. Finnegan also lost a save Saturday, giving up three runs. Jansen recorded a scoreless inning Friday.
Tier 4: Fighting for Saves
Matt Strahm/Orion Kerkering – Philadelphia Phillies
Kevin Ginkel – Arizona Diamondbacks
Robert Garcia – Texas Rangers
Strahm secured his sixth save Sunday. Ginkel, Kendall Graveman, and Kyle Bachhus have all appeared in save situations for Arizona. Garcia didn’t record a save and was charged with a run Saturday.
Tier 5: Bottom of the Barrel
Calvin Faucher/Ronnie Henriquez – Miami Marlins
Grant Taylor – Chicago White Sox
Seth Halvorsen/Victor Vodnik – Colorado Rockies
Rising or Stashing Candidates
Last week’s report touched on trade rumors involving Minnesota’s Griffin Jax and Joan Duran. While trading both is uncertain, it’s wise to watch potential replacements. Louis Varland has seamlessly transitioned from starter to reliever, posting a 1.01 WHIP and an impressive 43/11 K/BB ratio in 44 2/3 innings. Veteran Brock Stewart, pitching the most innings since 2017, has shown strikeout potential.
The Angels, four games out of the wildcard at the All-Star break, might shake up their bullpen. Kenley Jansen’s possible departure could pave the way for Reed Detmer to assume closer duties. Detmer has excelled since early May, posting a 1.24 ERA and 38 strikeouts in 29 innings.
Fan Take: This closer analysis underscores how critical bullpen depth and consistency are in shaping playoff contenders. Tracking emerging relievers and potential trades not only impacts fantasy leagues but also signals evolving team strategies that could redefine late-game dynamics in baseball.
