09-14-20 Update: Giovanny Gallegos heads to the IL, and Kevin Grinkel heads to the alternate site.
Be sure to check out all the new info below and adjust your lineups/rosters accordingly!
As witnessed year-in and year-out, Relief Pitcher exemplifies the term “volatility” more than any other position in baseball. Injuries, repeated blown saves/ineffective outings, and deadline trades are just a few reasons for player movement at the position. This year we are going to have to deal with even more with expanded rosters and COVID-19 IL.
The Closer role is an even more-fluid position due to the influx of “Closer Committees” present throughout the league. Numerous MLB teams have adopted this philosophy, allowing for more flexibility in deploying their best pitchers during the later innings.
Last season we altered the Job Security Legend in an effort to stay true to our site’s namesake. This year, we are keeping a similar format, but we have updated the BAC Levels slightly. Here is the breakdown of updated levels of confidence from high to low:
- Sober: Who got the keys to the Jeep? This guy does, and he is the clear Designated Driver of his team’s ninth-inning duties.
- Buzzed: This player has a clear case of the hiccups, but he’s still the best choice for late-night excitement.
- Hammered: Sloppy and stumbling are continually used to describe this player’s performance. His seat at the center field bar is ripe for the taking.
- Drunk Tank: Our new Closer Committee classification (noted with an *) for teams with two-plus relievers trying to seal the deal.
Pick-up a Sixer, and come drink-in all the frothy goodness of our 2020 Closer Chart. Stay tuned weekly for any, and all, relief pitching changes throughout the fantasy season.
Be sure to check out the rest of our Fantasy Baseball content for the latest news and notes to help you win your league. Stay frosty!
Fantasy Baseball Closer Chart
| TEAMS | BAC LEVEL | LEAD CLOSER | SETUP MAN | NEXT MAN UP | IL/COVID LIST | TEAM NEWS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AL EAST | ||||||
| BAL* | Drunk Tank | Hunter Harvey | Tanner Scott | Paul Fry | Orioles haven't had an saves, but Hunter Harvey is still the leader of the committee. | |
| BOS | Buzzed | Matt Barnes | Ryan Brasier | Austin Brice | Matt Barnes recorded a save on 9/4 and blew a save on 9/8, but still remains as top of the hierarchy. | |
| NYY | Buzzed | Aroldis Chapman | Zack Britton | Adam Ottavino | Tommy Kahnle (IL) | Aroldis Chapman has recorded his first save on 9/1. |
| TB * | Drunk Tank | Nick Anderson | Diego Castillo | John Curtiss | Oliver Drake (IL) Jose Alvarado (IL) Jalen Beeks (IL) Nick Anderson (IL) Chaz Roe (IL) | Nick Anderson has returned from the IL, and recorded his fourth save of the season. |
| TOR * | Drunk Tank | Anthony Bass | Rafael Dolis | A.J. Cole | Ken Giles (IL) Jordan Romano (IL) | Jordan Romano is on the IL which moves Cole up the hierarchy. |
| AL CENTRAL | ||||||
| CHW | Sober | Alex Colome | Evan Marshall | Jimmy Cordero | Aaron Bummer (IL) | Codi Heuer has been pitching well, and recorded two holds in his last three appearances. Jimmy Cordero is in trouble moving down the hierarchy |
| CLE | Sober | Brad Hand | James Karinchak | Nick Wittgren | Brad Hand recorded his 12th save on 9/7, and hasn't allowed a run in his last eight games. | |
| DET* | Drunk Tank | Gregory Soto | Buck Farmer | Jose Cisnero | Gregory Soto has recorded two saves for the Tigers since Jimmez's demotion, making Soto the new lead for the Tigers' committee. | |
| KC * | Drunk Tank | Greg Holland | Scott Barlow | Josh Staumont | Greg Holland got the Royals' most recent save on 8/31 and moves up the hierarchy. | |
| MIN | Sober | Taylor Rogers | Sergio Romo | Trevor May | Cody Stashak (IL) | Taylor Rogers recorded his eighth save on the season on 9/4 |
| AL WEST | ||||||
| HOU | Buzzed | Ryan Pressly | Andre Scrubb | Brad Peacock | Roberto Osuna (IL) Chris Devenski (IL) | Blake Taylor is on the 10-day IL, which moves Brad Peacock move the hierarchy |
| LAA * | Drunk Tank | Ty Buttrey | Felix Pena | Hoby Milner | Ty Buttrey recorded his fifth save on 9/5 and is moving closer to being the Angels only closer. | |
| OAK | Sober | Liam Hendriks | Joakim Soria | Jake Diekman | Liam Hendriks recorded his first win and this tenth Save. | |
| SEA | Buzzed | Yoshihisa Hirano | Anthony Misiewicz | Joey Gerber | Matt Magill (IL) | Trevor Williams was traded to the Padres which moves Hirano into the closer role for Seattle. |
| TEX | Buzzed | Rafael Montero | Jonathan Hernandez | Jesse Chavez | Jose Leclerc (IL) Edinson Volquez (IL) | Rafael Montero recorded his sixth Save on 8/24 after he recorded his first loss of the season. |
| NL EAST | ||||||
| ATL | Sober | Mark Melancon | Shane Greene | Will Smith | Mark Melancon recorded his eighth save on 9/2. | |
| MIA | Buzzed | Brandon Kintzler | Brad Boxberger | Nick Vincent | Richard Bleier (IL) | Brandon Kintzler has blown two saves in a row, and Boxberger hasn't allowed a run in his last ten games. Kintzler' seat is warm. |
| NYM | Drunk Tank | Edwin Diaz | Justin Wilson | Jeurys Familia | Dellin Betances (IL) | Dellin Betances was placed on the 10-Day IL, which moves Justin Wilson up the ladder. |
| PHL | Buzzed | Brandon Workman | Hector Neris | David Phelps | Seranthony Dominguez (IL) Jose Alvarez (IL) | The Phillies traded for David Phelps from the Brewers. It's only a matter of time before Phelps overtakes Neris for the setup role. |
| WAS | Sober | Daniel Hudson | Tanner Rainey | Will Harris | Daniel Hudson earned his ninth save on 9/8, and is the Nationals' official closer | |
| NL CENTRAL | ||||||
| CHC* | Drunk Tank | Jeremy Jeffress | Rowan Wick | Craig Kimbrel | Jeremy Jeffress recorded his fourth save on 8/29, and Wick has been used mostly as setup man, which moves Jeffress the hierarchy. | |
| CIN | Sober | Raisel Iglesias | Archie Bradley | Amir Garrett | Pedro Strop (IL) | The Reds welcome Archie Bradley to their bullpen. |
| MIL | Sober | Josh Hader | Devin Williams | Alex Claudio | Corey Knebel (IL) | The Brewers traded David Phelps, which moves Devin Williams and Alex Claudio up the hierarchy. |
| PIT | Buzzed | Richard Rodriguez | Kyle Crick | Nik Turley | Nick Burdi (IL) | Kyle Crick was activated from the IL and is reinserted as the setup man. |
| STL * | Drunk Tank | Andrew Miller | John Gant | Alex Reyes | Giovanny Gallegos (IL) | Giovanny Gallegos was placed on the 10-Day IL with a groin strain. Andrew Miller becomes the Cardinals' closer now. |
| NL WEST | ||||||
| ARI* | Drunk Tank | Stefon Crichton | Hector Rondon | Junior Gurrea | Kevin Ginkel was optioned to the alternate site, which hands the job to Crichton, who recorded a Save on 9/11. | |
| COL * | Drunk Tank | Daniel Bard | Carlos Estevez | Mychal Givens | Wade Davis (IL) Scott Oberg (IL) | Daniel Bard has recorded three Saves in his last three appearances. |
| LAD | Sober | Kenley Jansen | Blake Treinen | Caleb Ferguson | Pedro Baez (IL) | Pedro Baez was placed on the 10-Day IL on 8/20. Caleb Ferguson moves up the ladder until Baez returns. |
| SD | Buzzed | Trevor Rosenthal | Drew Pomeranz | Dan Altavilla | Kirby Yates (IL) Emilio Pagan (IL) | Emilio Pagan was placed on the IL on 9/10, which moves Dan Altavilla up the hierarchy |
| SF * | Drunk Tank | Tony Watson | Tyler Rogers | Jarlin Garcia | Tony Watson recorded two saves, which makes him the leader of the pack for now. |
