This years biggest surprise as far as closer go, Kirby Yates gets to end the season in style with the third easiest schedule remaining as the Rangers end with the Angels and Athletics. Yates was the clear cut top waiver pick up for saves this year, as he went undrafted pretty much everywhere and wound up with at least 31 saves.
Ryan Helsley is likely to finish the season as the league leader in saves and he has 6 games remaining against the Rockies and Giants to earn 3 more saves and become the first reliever since Edwin Díaz in 2018 to reach the 50 save mark. The Rockies series is in Colorado, but I’m still willing to roll the dice as Helsley chases 50 saves.
Notes
- Josh Hader has put together another great season but with just five games remaining, and both series against potential playoff teams in the Guardians and Mariners, he’s not the best option this week.
- Luke Weaver seems to have taken full control of the Yankees closer role despite what Aaron Boone might say, and he gets the finish the season at home against the Pirates this weekend.
- Jason Foley remains option 1A in the Tigers committee, but he’s been fantastic lately and the team gets to end the season with the Rays and White Sox as they get ready for their first postseason appearance since 2014.
- A.J. Puk appears to have taken over the Diamondbacks closer role as they get ready for postseason play. Puk has been the best reliever in baseball since mid-June so it’s a long overdue promotion.
- Jesús Tinoco continues to operate as the Marlins closer, and he gets a favorable schedule this week with series against a floundering Twins team and the Blue Jays.
- Seranthony Domínguez is still hanging on to the Orioles closer role by default as they really don’t have any other options. They get the Twins this week, but also the Yankees.
- Robert Suarez and the Padres get the Dodgers and Diamondbacks this week, the second toughest remaining schedule behind only the Pirates. Not only that, but theres a legitimate chance Tanner Scott continues seeing more save chances as Suarez has struggled over his past 19.1 IP (5.59 ERA, 1.45 WHIP, 17.4% K and 22.8% CSW rates)
- The Red Sox and Rockies lost their closers the past week, and are expected to go with a committee the rest of the way. The Rockies are mostly avoidable although I do like Seth Halvorsen’s longterm upside. The Red Sox will probably give Chris Martin save chances but Justin Slaten could also factor in.
And if you want more daily reliever updates, please check out our Reliever Ranks series
Watch List
| Rank | Pitcher | Team | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Tanner Scott | SD | could enter the postseason as closer |
| 2. | Justin Martinez | AZ | losing out save chances to Puk finally |
| 3. | Tyler Holton | DET | left-handed compliment to Foley |
| 4. | Justin Slaten | BOS | forms a committee with Martin now |
| 5. | Manuel Rodríguez | TB | could form a committee with Uceta and Cleavinger |
| 6. | David Bednar | PIT | could see some saves to end the year |
| 7. | Camilo Doval | SF | back on the roster, but in a setup role for now |
| 8. | Jeff Hoffman | PHI | could still factor into some saves behind Estévez |
| 9. | Evan Phillips | LAD | may be in some sort of committee with Kopech? |
| 10. | Clay Holmes | NYY | not closing for the time being |
| Rank | Pitcher | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Devin WilliamsT1 | +1 |
| 2 | Kirby Yates | +4 |
| 3 | Ryan Helsley | +7 |
| 4 | Emmanuel Clase | -3 |
| 5 | Edwin Díaz | -2 |
| 6 | Jhoan Duran | +1 |
| 7 | Andrés Muñoz | +1 |
| 8 | Raisel Iglesias | -3 |
| 9 | Josh Hader | -5 |
| 10 | Ryan Walker | -1 |
| 11 | Luke WeaverT2 | +11 |
| 12 | Jason Foley | +11 |
| 13 | Lucas Erceg | - |
| 14 | Michael Kopech | +3 |
| 15 | Mason Miller | +1 |
| 16 | A.J. Puk | +UR |
| 17 | Carlos Estévez | -2 |
| 18 | Edwin Uceta | - |
| 19 | Porter Hodge | - |
| 20 | Chad Green | - |
| 21 | Jesús Tinoco | +5 |
| 22 | Seranthony Domínguez | -8 |
| 23 | Robert Suarez | -11 |
| 24 | Kyle Finnegan | +3 |
| 25 | Alexis Díaz | +3 |
| 26 | Aroldis Chapman | -1 |
| 27 | José Quijada | -3 |
| 28 | Chris Martin | +UR |
| 29 | Seth Halvorsen | +UR |
| 30 | Fraser Ellard | - |
I don’t get Clase’s demotion on this list. Other than Williams right now, Clase is the only unquestioned closer that is clearly the most dominant pitcher in his position. Don’t think too hard, when any other closer goes to the mound to save a game there is a little trepidation if it’s going to work out. Whenever Clase is in a save situation, I am supremely confident he will do it. That makes him #1 overall for me (as Williams track record isn’t as long this season).