Closing Time 8/20: Ranking the Top 30 Closers Every Tuesday

[closing_time_2019 list_id=”35451″ include_stats=”1″]

• Craig Kimbrel returned from the IL this past weekend and should receive the Cubs’ next save chance. His ranking at this point is solely based on his track record, as he hasn’t shown much promise yet this season (7.49 FIP), but assuming he’s healthy, he’s worth the gamble as a top 12 closer.
• Sergio Romo, not Taylor Rogers or Sam Dyson, led the Twins in saves this past week, picking up 2, with one coming after Rogers and Dyson had worked in front of him. Two days later, Rogers was used in the 9th for a save situation, but this certainly feels like a committee moving forward, limiting both Rogers and Romo’s potential value.
• Just when it seemed like Seth Lugo was ready to run with the Mets closer role, he, of course, goes out and allows 5 ER while getting just one out in the 7th inning of last Wednesday’s game against the Braves. He was able to bounce back Saturday to pick up a save and while he should be owned in all formats for now, I’m still not ready to rule out an Edwin Diaz resurgence quite yet.
• The Braves bullpen has been a disaster since the trade deadline, but now we may at least be getting some clarity as to what roles guys will have towards the back end of games. For now, at least, Mark Melancon is going to receive the bulk of the save chances, which automatically puts him on the radar in most leagues. He’s not going to wow with great K rates, but he has proven he can be a lockdown closer in the league before and has pitched better than his current 4.02 ERA indicates.
• Sean Doolittle was placed on the IL with a knee injury as the team tries to give him some rest before things completely unravel for the lefty, but this now opens the door for Daniel Hudson to enter into the saves mix. Hudson has been quite lucky this season according to xStats (5.02 xFIP, 4.33 SIERA), but could have some value for not only the next week or two, but even after Doolittle returns as they try to limit his innings.
• Scott Oberg’s season is over as he deals with a blood clot issue, and while this had presumably opened the door for Wade Davis to walk back into the closer role, he’s been rocked for 6 ER over this last .2 innings of work. I’d imagine, given the lack of alternatives and the fact the Rockies have nothing to play for, Davis will still get save chances, but he is still very far from a must-own at this point in standard leagues.