Closer Monkey | 2026
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Tiered Closer Rankings Entering Week 9
It’s an intriguing exercise, and though rankings can change instantly, many still find meaning in them. With this in mind, these tiers will fuse this season’s performance entering gameplay on May 20 with rest-of-season potential. Tier One It’s still early, but for the never-pay-for-saves crowd, this top tier, with the exception of Clase, features closers…
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Monkey Bytes, May 19: Edwin on the Hot Seat, Walk-off Wins, and more
It’s difficult to quantify how missing a season will affect a pitcher, especially with the introduction of the pitch clock. Edwin Díaz has been placed on the hot seat based on recent rough outings, especially his non-save outing on Saturday which resulted in four earned runs and an eventual loss in extra-innings. He may receive…
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Streaming for Holds and SOLDS; Week 9
Given the volatility of high-leverage roles and performances, many prefer streaming relievers in leagues with separate categories for holds or those that combine saves plus holds (SOLDS). With this in mind, a snapshot, by league with their leverage trends in chart form. American League Leverage Trends Link: https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/3U0Dm/11/ AL Teams with 7 Games in Week…
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Monkey Bytes, May 18: Durán’s loss results in Clase’s 13th save, Hader shuts the door on Milwaukee, and Estrada records his first MLB save
Remaining on brand this season, Rocco Baldelli used Jhoan Durán as his HLR (highest-leveraged reliever), matching him up with José Ramírez’s lineup pocket during a tied contest in the bottom of the eighth. Fantasy managers must adjust their expectations for the talented Twins reliever moving forward. The Padres altered its high-leverage approach in Atlanta, though…
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