RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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In this week's Closer Report, Ben Joyce has been lights out for the Angels since his return early this month. Tanner Scott steps back into the closer role for the Dodgers with Edwin Díaz returning to the injured list. And Daniel Palencia is set to return to the Cubs' bullpen on Friday. All that and more as we cover the last week in saves.
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▶ Tier 1
Mason Miller - San Diego Padres
Jhoan Duran - Philadelphia Phillies
Cade Smith - Cleveland Guardians
Bryan Baker - Tampa Bay Rays
Louis Varland - Toronto Blue Jays
Josh Hader - Houston Astros
Miller struck out two batters in a clean inning against the Mets on Tuesday for his 31st save of the season. He's posted a 0.86 ERA, 0.82 WHIP, and 95 strikeouts over 52 1/3 innings, leaving little doubt all season as to who the top closer is.
Duran struck out the side against the Twins on Sunday for a save, then gave up a run before holding on for his 27th save against the Marlins on Monday. With Duran unavailable on Tuesday, Brooks Raley stepped in for his first save. He returned on Wednesday for a scoreless ninth against Miami for save number 28.
Smith needed just two pitches to record the final out against the Padres on Sunday for his only appearance this week. He remains at 31 saves with a 2.29 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, and 77 strikeouts over 55 innings. He's yet to allow a run in the second half.
Baker took his first loss of the season, giving up an unearned run against the Orioles on Saturday. He then bounced back with a five-out save on Monday, then tossed a clean inning against the Blue Jays on Wednesday for his MLB-leading 36 saves. Meanwhile, Varland made two perfect appearances in back-to-back outings against the Yankees over the weekend. He's up to 28 saves with a 1.26 ERA, 0.96 WHIP, and 79 strikeouts over 64 1/3 innings.
Hader made two scoreless appearances in non-save situations against the Mariners, then locked down a save with a scoreless inning against the Angels on Wednesday. He's been outstanding despite a late start to the season, converting 18 saves with a 0.87 ERA, 0.77 WHIP, and 41 strikeouts over 31 innings.
▶ Tier 2
David Bednar - New York Yankees
Trevor Megill - Milwaukee Brewers
Aroldis Chapman - Boston Red Sox
Jacob Latz - Texas Rangers
Raisel Iglesias- Atlanta Braves
Riley O'Brien - St. Louis Cardinals
Andrés Muñoz - Seattle Mariners
Bednar recorded five outs against the Blue Jays on Sunday, giving up one unearned run to blow a save before falling in line for a win. He then converted back-to-back saves against the Orioles on Tuesday and Wednesday. The 31-year-old right-hander has converted 29 saves with a 2.40 ERA, 0.99 WHIP, and 64 strikeouts across 56 1/3 innings.
Megill made one appearance this week, striking out one batter in a perfect inning against the Dodgers last Thursday. Outside of a bad first month, both Megill and Bednar have been pitching like Tier 1 closers for much of the season.
No saves for Chapman this week. He struck out two in a clean inning in a non-save situation against the Pirates on Saturday, then pitched a scoreless inning in a tie game against the Diamondbacks on Wednesday. For the Rangers, Latz closed out the final two innings against the Athletics on Saturday for his 24th save. And in Atlanta, Iglesias surrendered a run against the Diamondbacks on Sunday before holding on for his 25th save. He's seen some regression of late, giving up runs in four of his last six outings.
O'Brien continued his strong second half with back-to-back saves against the Reds this week, striking out four over two clean frames. He's up to 32 saves with a 2.96 ERA over 51 2/3 innings. He's posted a 1.46 ERA over 12 2/3 innings since the All-Star break.
Muñoz picked up a save with a scoreless inning against the Yankees last Thursday. He had worked his ERA down to 3.71 before imploding on Friday against the Astros, giving up four runs and blowing a save. He recovered on Sunday in Houston with a scoreless appearance, then struck out one in a clean inning for his 23rd save on Wednesday to go with a 4.27 ERA over 46 1/3 innings.
▶ Tier 3
Tanner Scott - Los Angeles Dodgers
Emilio Pagán - Cincinnati Reds
Kenley Jansen - Detroit Tigers
Yoendrys Gómez - Minnesota Twins
Mason Montgomery - Pittsburgh Pirates
Jacob Webb/Daniel Palencia - Chicago Cubs
Edwin Díaz continued his struggles, allowing three runs on Monday against the Rockies. He was then placed on the 15-day injured list with neck inflammation. With Díaz sidelined again, Scott stepped back in to close out Tuesday and Wednesday's games in Colorado, recording his 17th and 18th saves.
Pagán had to sit out of a save opportunity last Thursday with a sore hand. He returned on Friday for a clean save against the Marlins, then fell in line for a win against the Cardinals on Monday before converting a save on Wednesday. He's up to 16 saves with a 4.30 ERA, 1.09 WHIP, and 31 strikeouts over 29 1/3 innings.
Gómez pushed his save total to 20 after three scoreless appearances for the Twins this week. He's defied the underlying skills indicators, posting a 3.20 ERA across 56 1/3 innings despite a 4.56 FIP and 5.10 xFIP.
Jansen had one of his busiest weeks on the mound. He converted two saves with a pair of clean innings before stumbling on Wednesday, giving up two runs to blow a save against the Pirates.
The Pirates appear to be settling on Montgomery as the ninth-inning man dow...
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