With the advent of lineup lanes and matchup-based approaches, it’s hard to put a definition on the word “closer” this season, but using games finished percentage (games finished/games), save share percentage (saves/team saves), and high-leverage outings as defined by Baseball Reference, seven relievers have met the following criteria:
- Games finished percentage of at least 66.7 percent
- A save share percentage of at least 60 percent
- A high-leverage percentage of 60 percent or better.
They will be revealed in our weekend primers for each league.
American League
Beginning with team trends through games played on May 28:
There are three teams without a reliever recording at least five saves, and only six with a closer securing at least 10 saves. Here are the games finished, save share percentages, and high-leverage percents as the season hits the one-third point:
If there has been a changing of the guard at closer, like Toronto, it’s tough to meet the save-share percentage criteria, but it’s an interesting barometer for relievers and their usage patterns. Cade Smith and David Bednar fell below the high-leverage percentage threshold but remain closers for their respective teams.
What to Watch For This Weekend
- Baltimore Orioles: Is Rico Garcia deployed as the highest-leverage reliever, or will he get save chances? Any updates on the throwing progression and a firm return date for Ryan Helsley?
- Boston Red Sox: With Garrett Whitlock on the injured list, can the bullpen get the ball to Aroldis Chapman in the ninth for a save? He has not had an opportunity since May 20. Teams will be pursuing him ahead of the deadline if the Red Sox keep drifting in the standings.
- Chicago White Sox: How does Seranthony Domínguez pitch this weekend? Command? Can Grant Taylor gain ground for future save chances?
- Cleveland Guardians: Has Tim Herrin replaced Erik Sabrowski in the leverage triumvirate?
- Detroit Tigers: Which reliever receives the first save chance with Kenley Jansen sidelined? What role will Drew Anderson fill? Starter, multi-inning reliever, or leverage reliever?
- Houston Astros: When is Josh Hader activated? What is his velocity and outcomes in his first few appearances?
- Kansas City Royals: Can Lucas Erceg bounce back? If not, does the team change leverage roles?
- Los Angeles Angels: How does Kirby Yates fare? Any updates on Ben Joyce?
- Minnesota Twins: Which pitcher becomes the 12th with a save? The revolving door in the bullpen keeps turning with Cody Lawyerson and Kody Funderburk recalled, and Travis Adams demoted to Triple-A.
- New York Yankees: Will David Bednar record some clean appearances?
- Seattle Mariners: What will be the setup progressions ahead of Andrés Muñoz with Gabe Speier and Matt Brash back?
- Tampa Bay Rays: Does Bryan Baker keep his strong season going?
- The Athletics: Has Scott Barlow earned more save chances?
- Texas Rangers: Who steps up as a reliable setup option ahead of Jacob Latz?
- Toronto Blue Jays: Does Louis Varland get used like a closer, or is he the highest-leveraged reliever (HLR)?
National League
Beginning with team trends through games played on May 28:
Five teams have produced a reliever with at least five saves, and only four have one with at least ten. Here are the games finished, save share percentages, and high-leverage percents as the season hits the one-third point:
Getting Jhoan Duran out of Minnesota and into a set closer role has improved his results, and he has the highest games-finished percentage among his peers. A combination of limited save opportunities and poor timing has affected Daniel Palencia; remain patient.
What to Watch For This Weekend
- Arizona Diamondbacks: Updates regarding A.J. Puk and his minor league rehab outings.
- Atlanta Braves: How does Raisel Iglesias look after losing his scoreless streak?
- Chicago Cubs: Free Daniel Palencia, or at least get him some save opportunities.
- Cincinnati Reds: Is Tony Santillan still the preferred option for saves in spite of his home run per fly ball percentage (25.8)?
- Colorado Rockies: The next save chance goes to?
- Los Angeles Dodgers: Please give Tanner Scott some chances, and is Kyle Hurt or Will Klein the preferred right-handed leverage option?
- Miami Marlins: Who are the bridge options to Pete Fairbanks?
- Milwaukee Brewers: Has Trevor Megill taken over as the closer? After shaking the magic 8-ball, signs point to yes.
- New York Mets: Will Devin Williams get his groove back and cut down his recent spike in walks?
- Philadelphia Phillies: It’s been Kerkering-to-Keller-to-Duran, but Alvarado remains on the periphery in deep leagues for ancillary saves.
- Pittsburgh Pirates: With Gregory Soto back in the preferred save share and Carmen Mlodzinski back in the bullpen, will he pick up multi-inning saves and vulture wins like Antonio Senzatela? If yes, there’s value in deep leagues and those where he can be used as a SPARP.
- San Diego Padres: Can the team get Jason Adam and Jeremiah Estrada back on track? They have been effective, but clean outings have been sparse.
- San Francisco Giants: It appears Caleb Kilian has taken over as the preferred option for saves. Does this stick, or will Tony Vitello pull the rug out from under us again?
- St. Louis Cardinals: Regression and a lack of save chances have affected Riley O’Brien. How does he respond?
- Washington Nationals: Will anyone take over as a reliable option for saves? It overshadows how well Brad Lord has pitched recently. Monitor him; he’s a dark horse in this leverage ladder.
Rankings can fluctuate daily, and with waivers on tap in many leagues this weekend, the weekend planner will highlight situations worth tracking. It will also include updates to reliever rankings for saves and SOLDS formats.
First, updated leaderboards for saves in 2026 and the last 14 days on games played through May 28:
| 2026 Leaders | Saves | Last 14 Days Leaders | Saves |
| Cade Smith | 19 | Cade Smith | 6 |
| Mason Miller | 16 | Paul Sewald | 5 |
| Bryan Baker | 14 | Jhoan Duran | 4 |
| Paul Sewald | 14 | Aroldis Chapman | 3 |
| Riley O’Brien | 13 | Louie Varland | 3 |
| Aroldis Chapman | 12 | Mason Miller | 3 |
| David Bednar | 12 | Bryan King | 3 |
| Jhoan Duran | 11 | Bryan Baker | 3 |
| Seranthony Domínguez | 11 | Richard Lovelady | 3 |
| Lucas Erceg | 11 | Devin Williams |
Updated RP Rankings for Saves
| Rank | Reliever |
| 1 | Mason Miller |
| 2 | Cade Smith |
| 3 | Jhoan Duran |
| 4 | Paul Sewald |
| 5 | Louis Varland |
| 6 | Bryan Baker |
| 7 | Aroldis Chapman |
| 8 | Andrés Muñoz |
| 9 | Raisel Iglesias |
| 10 | **Josh Hader |
| 11 | Pete Fairbanks |
| 12 | Trevor Megill |
| 13 | David Bednar |
| 14 | Daniel Palencia |
| 15 | Riley O’Brien |
| 16 | Tanner Scott |
| 17 | Devin Williams |
| 18 | Caleb Kilian |
| 19 | Seranthony Domínguez |
| 20 | Jacob Latz |
| 21 | Gregory Soto |
| 22 | Kirby Yates |
| 23 | Lucas Erceg |
| 24 | Rico Garcia |
| 25 | Jeff Hoffman |
| 26 | Aaron Ashby |
| 27 | Richard Lovelady |
| 28 | Hogan Harris |
| 29 | Mark Leiter Jr. |
| 30 | Gus Varland |
| 31 | Yoendrys Gómez |
| 32 | Abner Uribe |
| 33 | Antonio Senzatela |
| 34 | Drew Anderson |
| 35 | Robert Suarez |
| 36 | Jose A. Ferrer |
| 37 | Ian Seymour |
| 38 | Will Klein |
| 39 | Grant Taylor |
| 40 | Kyle Finnegan |
| 41 | Juan Mejia |
| 42 | Anthony Nunez |
| 43 | Kyle Hurt |
| 44 | Tony Santillan |
| 45 | Tyler Rogers |
| 46 | George Soriano |
| 47 | Bryan Hudson |
| 48 | Daniel Lynch IV |
| 49 | Pierce Johnson |
| 50 | Graham Ashcraft |
| 51 | Luke Weaver |
| 52 | Andrew Morris |
| 53 | Will Vest |
| 54 | Clayton Beeter |
| 55 | Bryan King |
| 56 | Taylor Rogers |
| 57 | Alex Vesia |
| 58 | Brad Keller |
| 59 | Hunter Gaddis |
| 60 | Scott Barlow |
Here are the updated leaderboards for SOLDS, through games played on May 28:
| 2026 Leaders | SOLDS | Last 14 Days Leaders | SOLDS |
| Cade Smith | 19 | Cade Smith | 6 |
| Erik Sabrowski | 17 | Bryan King | 6 |
| Mason Miller | 16 | Paul Sewald | 5 |
| Bryan Baker | 15 | Tyler Rogers | 5 |
| JoJo Romero | 15 | Yoendrys Gómez | 5 |
| Paul Sewald | 14 | Jhoan Duran | 4 |
| Riley O’Brien | 14 | Louie Varland | 4 |
| Kevin Kelly | 13 | Richard Lovelady | 4 |
| Aroldis Chapman | 12 | Taylor Rogers | 4 |
| David Bednar | 12 | Bryan Abreu | 4 |
| Lucas Erceg | 12 | Hunter Gaddis | 4 |
| Louie Varland | 12 | Enyel De Los Santos | 4 |
| Gregory Soto | 12 | Orion Kerkering | 4 |
| Trevor Megill | 12 | Andrew Morris | 4 |
| Hogan Harris | 12 | Fernando Cruz | 4 |
| Tyler Rogers | 12 | Jason Adam | 4 |
| Tony Santillan | 12 | Brooks Raley | 4 |
| Jason Adam | 12 | Tim Herrin | 4 |
Updated SOLDS Rankings
| Rank | Reliever |
| 1 | Mason Miller |
| 2 | Cade Smith |
| 3 | Jhoan Duran |
| 4 | Robert Suarez |
| 5 | Louis Varland |
| 6 | Bryan Baker |
| 7 | Tanner Scott |
| 8 | Paul Sewald |
| 9 | Aroldis Chapman |
| 10 | Rico Garcia |
| 11 | Andrés Muñoz |
| 12 | Raisel Iglesias |
| 13 | Jeff Hoffman |
| 14 | Jason Adam |
| 15 | Kevin Kelly |
| 16 | **Josh Hader |
| 17 | Riley O’Brien |
| 18 | Gregory Soto |
| 19 | Jose A. Ferrer |
| 20 | Tyler Rogers |
| 21 | Pete Fairbanks |
| 22 | Devin Williams |
| 23 | Dylan Lee |
| 24 | Hunter Gaddis |
| 25 | Trevor Megill |
| 26 | Caleb Kilian |
| 27 | Ian Seymour |
| 28 | JoJo Romero |
| 29 | Adrian Morejon |
| 30 | Keaton Winn |
| 31 | David Bednar |
| 32 | Daniel Palencia |
| 33 | Luke Weaver |
| 34 | George Soriano |
| 35 | Taylor Clarke |
| 36 | Jeremiah Estrada |
| 37 | Garrett Whitlock |
| 38 | Fernando Cruz |
| 39 | Drew Anderson |
| 40 | Anthony Nunez |
| 41 | Jacob Latz |
| 42 | Daniel Lynch IV |
| 43 | Matt Brash |
| 44 | Brad Keller |
| 45 | Bryan Hudson |
| 46 | Aaron Ashby |
| 47 | Orion Kerkering |
| 48 | Seranthony Domínguez |
| 49 | Antonio Senzatela |
| 50 | Abner Uribe |
| 51 | Mason Montgomery |
| 52 | Will Klein |
| 53 | Kyle Hurt |
| 54 | Enyel De Los Santos |
| 55 | Bryan King |
| 56 | Lucas Erceg |
| 57 | Alex Vesia |
| 58 | Scott Barlow |
| 59 | Richard Lovelady |
| 60 | Grant Taylor |
| 61 | Hogan Harris |
| 62 | Gus Varland |
| 63 | Mark Leiter Jr. |
| 64 | Kyle Finnegan |
| 65 | Andrew Nardi |
| 66 | Yoendrys Gómez |
| 67 | Graham Ashcraft |
| 68 | Brad Lord |
| 69 | Eduard Bazardo |
| 70 | Will Vest |
| 71 | Brooks Raley |
| 72 | Justin Sterner |
| 73 | Jaden Hill |
| 74 | Pierce Johnson |
| 75 | Sam Bachman |
Thanks for being a part of the Closer Monkey community. Stay safe, and be well.
Statistical Credits: