Mid-Season Fantasy Baseball Closer Rankings: Josh Hader Shines

Closers are the unsung heroes of Major League Baseball. These pitchers step into the highest-pressure moments to secure victories for their teams.

This week, MLB bullpens reminded everyone that the art of closing and setup is still going strong. From Josh Hader holding onto his spot as baseball’s top closer to Andrés Muñoz regaining his stride, relievers continue to deliver standout performances and adapt to shifting roles.

Let’s take a look at what’s happening in the bullpen world right now.

Josh Hader: Baseball’s Best Closer

Josh Hader has set the gold standard for late-inning dominance this season. His latest outing for the Houston Astros just added to his reputation.

The flamethrowing lefty picked up his 24th save during a strong week on the mound. He keeps showing why he’s widely seen as the league’s top closer.

Hader’s steady hand under pressure makes him a vital part of Houston’s playoff push. It’s hard to imagine the Astros’ bullpen without him anchoring the ninth.

Bryan Abreu: The Elite Setup Man

Bryan Abreu backs up Hader as a setup man and absolutely deserves credit for his work this year. He’s quietly racked up 21 holds, along with a tiny 1.59 ERA and 60 strikeouts in just 39 2/3 innings.

The Astros’ combo of Hader and Abreu is a big reason other teams don’t look forward to facing their bullpen. Abreu’s numbers this year put him among the best setup men in baseball.

Notable Performances From Closers Around the League

Other relievers across the league also made headlines this week.

• Andrés Muñoz of the Mariners bounced back from a rough patch to notch his first save since June 8. He’s carving out more late-inning chances for himself.
• Edwin Díaz kept his strong run going for the Mets, picking up 17 saves and sporting a sharp 1.91 ERA. New York relies on him in big moments.
• Aroldis Chapman extended his scoreless streak to 15 straight outings for the Red Sox. Even now, he’s still a force late in games.

Jhoan Duran, Emmanuel Clase, and Robert Suarez stayed steady in their bullpens, though Suarez has shown some ups and downs since coming back from suspension. He did add another save to his total, but the inconsistency is hard to ignore.

Emerging Stars and Comeback Candidates

This week also brought some hope for lesser-known arms and possible breakout stars in the bullpen.

• Mason Miller and Devin Williams gave the Athletics and Yankees a boost, each turning in outings that looked like their best days.
• Tanner Scott hit a milestone with his 18th save for the Dodgers, showing he’s a steady hand in Los Angeles’ bullpen.
• For the Pirates and Cubs, David Bednar and Daniel Palencia keep delivering, giving their teams much-needed stability at the end of games.

Randy Rodríguez: A Future Star in San Francisco

The Giants have seen flashes of dominance from closer Camilo Doval, but his inconsistency leaves the door open. Randy Rodríguez, with a sparkling 0.72 ERA and a knack for racking up strikeouts, is making a real case to be San Francisco’s next closer.

Teams Searching for Bullpen Stability

Some teams still haven’t found the right formula for their bullpens. The Braves and Rangers keep shuffling their relievers, hoping to land on something stable.

Atlanta’s Kyle Backhus and Texas’ Edwin Uceta have started to turn heads as interesting options. Both could end up playing bigger roles as the season rolls on, though it’s tough to predict how things will shake out.

Final Thoughts: Bullpens in Focus

The summer grind keeps heating up, and MLB bullpens are right in the thick of it. Dominant closers like Josh Hader draw plenty of attention with their late-inning heroics.

Relievers such as Bryan Abreu are on the rise, and new faces like Randy Rodríguez keep things interesting. The league’s full of bullpen storylines that just won’t quit.

Some teams have proven arms they can trust. Others are still scrambling for stability, which really shows how crucial a solid bullpen is when everything’s on the line.

 
Here is the source article for this story: Fantasy Baseball Closer Report: Josh Hader leads the way in mid-season rankings