Welcome back to the latest edition of the “closer report.” We are now a little over a week past the trade deadline, allowing us time to figure out all the new bullpen situations for the remainder of the season.
Fantasy Baseball Closer Report
Here is a look at the chart for this week.
| Rank | Team | Closer | Change | Notes |
| 1 | Giants | Camilo Doval | 0 | |
| 2 | Reds | Alexis Diaz | 0 | |
| 3 | Orioles | Felix Bautista | 0 | Blew save Tuesday, held on Thursday |
| 4 | Brewers | Devin Williams | 1 | |
| 5 | Guardians | Emmanuel Clase | -1 | |
| 6 | Astros | Ryan Pressly | 1 | |
| 7 | Padres | Josh Hader | -1 | |
| 8 | Red Sox | Kenley Jansen | 1 | |
| 9 | Mariners | Andres Munoz | 1 | Taken clear hold of closer role following Sewald trade |
| 10 | Braves | Raisel Iglesias | 1 | |
| 11 | Twins | Jhoan Duran | 1 | |
| 12 | Angels | Carlos Estevez | -4 | Blew first save of the season |
| 13 | Blue Jays | Committee | -1 | |
| 14 | Rangers | Committee | 0 | |
| 15 | Phillies | Craig Kimbrel | 0 | |
| 16 | Diamondbacks | Paul Sewald | 0 | Blew first save with Arizona |
| 17 | Pirates | David Bednar | 0 | |
| 18 | Marlins | David Robertson | 0 | |
| 19 | Yankees | Clay Holmes | 2 | |
| 20 | Rays | Pete Fairbanks | -1 | |
| 21 | Cubs | Adbert Alzolay | 2 | |
| 22 | Dodgers | Committee | -2 | |
| 23 | Cardinlas | Giovanny Gallegos | -1 | |
| 24 | Nationals | Kyle Finnegan | 1 | |
| 25 | White Sox | Committee | -1 | |
| 26 | Mets | Committee | 0 | |
| 27 | Tigers | Alex Lange | 0 | |
| 28 | Athletics | Trevor May | 0 | |
| 29 | Royals | Committee | 0 | |
| 30 | Rockies | Committee | 0 |
News and Notes
Felix Bautista blew a save on Tuesday against the Astros after allowing a go-ahead grand slam to Kyle Tucker. He had another opportunity on Thursday with a 5-3 lead, allowed one run but left the bases loaded to help Baltimore hold onto a 5-4 win. Bautista remains one of the top closers in fantasy baseball regardless of his struggles this week.
Following the trade of Paul Sewald, Andres Munoz has taken clear hold of the Mariners’ closer role. Matt Brash has also been utilized in high-leverage situations and could see some save chances when Munoz is unavailable. Brash is worth rostering in leagues that account for both holds and saves.
After not blowing a save throughout the whole first half of the season, Carlos Estevez blew two saves in the past week against the Mariners and Giants. He remains the clear-cut closer in the Angels bullpen, but they have struggled to win games since the trade deadline, so the save chances haven’t come as often as of late.
After not seeing the mound in his first few games with the Diamondbacks, Paul Sewald struck out the side in a blowout in his first appearance with Arizona. He later blew his first save chance, allowing a pair of home runs against the Twins. The home runs have been Sewald’s biggest problem this season, but he should bounce back. He likely won’t see as many save chances with Arizona, though, as he saw in Seattle.
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