The Reliever Landscape at the Midseason
The All-Star break traditionally serves as a checkpoint for teams to assess their strengths and weaknesses, and this year the bullpen conversation has taken center stage.
Mason Miller of the Athletics has emerged as the most dominant closer, already notching 25 saves while maintaining a 0.91 ERA, a combination that has placed him at the apex of the saves leaderboard.
Bryan Baker of the Rays mirrors that production with 25 saves of his own, his 1.73 ERA underscoring a reliability that has kept Florida in contention throughout the first half.
Toronto’s Louis Varland has also turned heads, collecting 19 saves and posting a 1.10 ERA that ranks among the best in the league.
Jacob Latz of the Rangers contributes 18 saves with a 1.61 ERA, a performance that has helped Texas stay competitive in a tight division race.
Other notable relievers include David Bednar of the Yankees, who has recorded 18 saves with a 2.70 ERA, and Aroldis Chapman of the Red Sox, who sits at 19 saves and a 2.20 ERA, while Raisel Iglesias continues to anchor the Braves’ late‑inning game‑closing efforts.
The Mariners’ Andrés Muñoz has posted a 1.10 ERA over his last ten outings, and the Dodgers’ Tanner Scott has converted 13 saves with a 2.56 ERA, illustrating the depth of talent across the league.
Meanwhile, Milwaukee’s Trevor Megill holds 14 saves and a 3.00 ERA, and St. Louis’ Riley O’Brien has amassed 24 saves with a 3.43 ERA, highlighting the variety of approaches teams employ to protect leads.
The trade deadline looms as a pivotal moment; clubs with relievers performing at or above these levels are expected to field serious offers, especially as the market for high‑leverage arms remains thin.
Beyond the on‑field action, MLB announced that it will return to NBC and Peacock in 2026, expanding broadcast reach and promising more extensive coverage of the sport’s marquee events, including the All‑Star Game and the World Series.