Even despite the tough last outing (go ahead 2-run HR to Albert Pujols) and Rowan Wick picking up the last save for the team, I still like Brandon Hughes as the best closing option here. It could wind up more of a committee than it had appeared to be just over a week ago, but Wick and his 1.70 WHIP should not be trusted.

 

Notes

 

• Ryan Pressly returns to the Astros bullpen today and should jump right back into the closer role despite Rafael Montero pitching well in his absence. (EDIT: Pressly will stay on the IL a little while longer after all, so Montero is back in as the closer option)
• Kenley Jansen has not pitched well since the All-Star break with a 4.30 ERA, 1.63 WHIP, and 2 blown saves over 14.2 IP. Jansen is a name that we typically assimilate with “safe closing option” but with Raisel Iglesias now in the mix, this may be a situation to keep an eye on.

 

• Jorge López has been mediocre at best since moving to the Twins, with a 1.37 WHIP, 9 Ks, and just four saves over 11.2 IP since the trade. The Twins have plenty of potential closers to choose from in this bullpen; just a reminder that López isn’t necessarily guaranteed the closer role.
• Jimmy Herget continues to be the only option for saves in the Angels bullpen, and that alone makes him a top 20 closer option moving forward. He won’t ever be confused with Edwin Díaz when it comes to generating Whiffs but he’s been effective this season nonetheless.

 

• In Tampa Bay, Jason Adam and Pete Fairbanks can be seen as basically interchangeable at this point, but both should be rostered in most leagues. In fact, rostering both together in daily leagues seems like a good strategy, especially when they can be had in most Yahoo leagues.
• John Schreiber picked up two saves this past week, as it remains to be seen who, if anyone, will be the team’s closer the rest of the season. Between Schreiber, Garrett Whitlock, and Matt Barnes, Schreiber has been the most consistent reliever this season, but Barnes is being paid like a closer and Whitlock is likely the closer of the future.

 

• Nick Martinez and David Robertson both move down the list this week as the interim closers may have one week left to prove they should continue in the role for their respective teams. Josh Hader could find himself back in the closer role with another strong week while Seranthony Domínguez may be ready to return to the Philly pen within a week.
• While he may not be the closer again just yet, Craig Kimbrel has pitched better as of late and no one else has claimed the role since he was removed from it. Blake Treinen’s return could certainly throw a wrench into that, but it’s probably in the team’s best interest to have Kimbrel as the closer heading into October.

 

Rank	Pitcher	Change
1	Edwin DíazT1	-
2	Devin Williams	+1
3	Liam Hendriks	-1
4	Emmanuel Clase	-
5	Félix Bautista	-
6	Jordan Romano T2	-
7	Ryan Helsley	+1
8	Paul Sewald	+1
9	Clay Holmes	+1
10	Josh Hader	+UR
11	Kenley Jansen T3	-4
12	Camilo Doval	-
13	Scott Barlow	-
14	Jorge López	-3
15	Daniel Bard	-1
16	Gregory Soto	-
17	Tanner Scott	-
18	Kyle Finnegan	-
19	Alexis Díaz	+2
20	Jimmy Herget	+3
21	Jason Adam T4	+4
22	John Schreiber	+UR
23	A.J. Puk	+1
24	David Robertson	-4
25	Brandon Hughes	-10
26	Craig Kimbrel	+UR
27	Ian Kennedy T5	+3
28	Rafael Montero	+1
29	Wil Crowe	-1
30	Jonathan Hernández	-4

 

 

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