As the 2025 season hurtles toward its climax, the role of the closer has become a focal point for teams hunting for that final out. From the West Coast to the Midwest, bullpens are being reshaped by performance, injury and the looming broadcast shift that will bring Major League Baseball back to NBC and Peacock in 2026.
The Save Leaders
Cade Smith sits atop the leaderboard with 16 saves, while Mason Miller has turned every save chance into a victory, finishing 15‑for‑15 with a 0.79 ERA. Jhoan Duran’s recent stretch features a 42% strikeout rate over 13 games, and Aroldis Chapman boasts a 0.51 ERA and 23 strikeouts across 17 2/3 innings. Their dominance sets the tone for a relief corps that is both deep and volatile.
Mid‑Tier Movements
Riley O’Brien has collected 13 saves but showed a dip in May, while Bryan Baker holds 13 saves for the Tampa Bay Rays with a 2.66 ERA. Devin Williams extended his scoreless streak to nine outings, and Daniel Palencia contributed three saves for the Chicago Cubs. Tanner Scott, now with the Los Angeles Dodgers, posted four saves and a 1.37 ERA, while Louis Varland’s 0.70 ERA and 37 strikeouts in 25 2/3 innings for the Toronto Blue Jays have made him a fantasy favorite.
Injury Ripple Effects
The rotation of closers has been disrupted by a series of setbacks. David Bednar has struggled, surrendering runs in six of his last nine outings, while Grant Taylor’s 1.78 ERA and 38 strikeouts in 25 1/3 innings earned him a save in his White Sox debut. Trevor Megill and Abner Uribe are sharing ninth‑inning duties for the Milwaukee Brewers, and Gregory Soto bounced back from a blown save with a clean inning. Meanwhile, Bryan Abreu has been perfect in his last six appearances for the Houston Astros, and Kaleb Killian’s recent rough patches highlight the fragility of late‑game stability.
The upcoming 2026 media deal will see MLB games return to NBC and streamed on Peacock, promising a broader audience for marquee matchups and a fresh platform for the sport’s storytelling. Key events such as the All‑Star Game, the World Series and rivalry nights are slated for exclusive broadcast, giving fans new ways to follow the late‑season drama that has defined this year’s closer landscape.
For fantasy enthusiasts, the depth of talent from Cade Smith to Antonio Senzatela, who has emerged as the most reliable arm in the lower tier, offers ample streaming options. As rosters tighten and injuries mount, the ability to pinpoint a high‑performing closer could be the difference between a playoff push and a summer of disappointment.