The latest fantasy baseball breakdown zeroes in on the most valuable relievers who have logged at least 27 saves combined with holds, a group that includes standout arms like Bryan Baker and Louis Varland, while also tracking the surprising surge of Dylan Lee for the Atlanta Braves.
Baker’s Dominance
Bryan Baker tops the list with a 1.47 ERA, a 0.88 WHIP, 10.1 strikeouts per nine innings and a strikeout‑minus‑walk rate of 20.6% across 49 innings of work.
Not far behind, Louis Varland has cemented his role as the Toronto Blue Jays’ closer, posting career‑best numbers: a 1.26 ERA, 0.96 WHIP, a 31.7% strikeout rate and a groundball rate of 55%.
Dylan Lee has been a cornerstone for the Braves, delivering a 1.92 ERA, a 0.73 WHIP and a 33.7% strikeout rate over 56.1 innings, a performance that has been amplified by the absence of Robert Suarez.
Ben Joyce, after more than a year on the sidelines, has returned to dominate, allowing just one hit and one walk while striking out at least one batter per inning in six appearances.
Aaron Ashby, despite a 3.39 ERA and 1.39 WHIP, has accumulated 11 holds, a save and 13 wins, benefiting from a depleted Milwaukee bullpen and posting a career‑high 12.7 K/9.
Edwin Diaz, however, has hit a setback, landing on the injured list with neck inflammation after a rough August that saw him surrender 13 hits, two homers and five walks in just 5.2 innings.
Tanner Scott is being touted as the premier reliever to stash in the Los Angeles Dodgers’ bullpen, offering a high‑upside option for fantasy lineups.
Strategic Outlook
The article’s comprehensive rankings of the top 40 relievers in save‑plus‑holds formats reveal notable shifts, guiding managers on waiver‑wire targets and roster decisions as the season’s final stretch unfolds.