Fantasy Baseball Closer Report for National League Teams: Updates on Orion Kerkering, Raisel Iglesias and More

It's time for our weekly check-in on fantasy baseball closers.

We'll begin with National League teams today, then go over the American League closers later. Here's the last NL closer update we did.

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Mets

Edwin Diaz continues to power the Mets at the end of games they win.

He's appeared in 32 games and he's covered 31 2/3 innings. Diaz is 3-0 with 16 saves and just one blown save. He has a 1.99 earned run average and 46 strikeouts, showing he's a reliable a top-end fantasy closing option.

Phillies

The Phillies' closer situation isn't much more clear than it was a week ago.

With Jose Alvarado suspended and Jordan Romano struggling and now pitching in the seventh innings of games, Matt Strahm and Orion Kerkering are handling the closing duties.

Over his past five appearances, Kerkering has two saves, a hold and a loss. He's allowed just one run over 4 1/3 innings, while striking out four. Strahm has two saves and a hold over his past five appearances. He's allowed three runs over five innings in that span, while striking out five.

Romano is still the most-owned Philly reliever, sitting at 36%, but he's trending down. Kerkering is at 31% and has been better than Strahm (16%), so I think he's the guy to own right now. That's only the case in deep leagues. 

Alvarado can't return until at least August 19, so we're still a ways from that. This is a closer situation to monitor daily. Maybe we'll get an answer or clearer picture of things soon.

Braves

Raisel Iglesias has been shaky this season, so Dylan Lee is a name to keep tabs on.

Iglesias got a save in his last appearance, but Lee earned a save in the game before that. Iglesias hasn't allowed a run over his past six appearances, which covers 4 2/3 innings, so maybe he's ironed out his issues.

Iglesias has a 5.65 ERA over 28 2/3 innings this season, but at least has 30 strikeouts. He's 4-5 with nine saves, four blown saves and two holds.

Lee hasn't pitched since his save, which was on Monday. He's 1-2 with two saves, three blown saves and nine holds this season. Lee has a 1.77 ERA and 37 punchouts over 35 2/3 innings.

Iglesias is down to 72% rostered, which is where he should be for now. Lee is at 23%, and could rise with more saves in the near future. This is a situation to track.

Marlins

Calvin Faucher has emerged as the Marlins' go-to closer.

He's 3-2 with a 3.94 ERA over 29 2/3 innings this season. Faucher has eight saves, four blown saves, three holds and 26 strikeouts this season.

Faucher is owned in 20% of leagues, and will continue to serve as a deep-league asset as long as he keeps the closer role and pitches well in it.

Nationals

Kyle Finnegan is the Nats' closer, but isn't the best fantasy option because of the team's struggles of late.

He's 0-2 with 18 saves and five blown saves on the year across 29 appearances. Finnegan has a 2.89 ERA and 23 strikeouts over 28 innings.

Finnegan hasn't had a save since June 6, and has blown two chances since. He's at 79% rostered, and should probably see that drop because of his lack of saves recently.

Cubs

Daniel Palencia is still serving as the Cubs' go-to closer. Ryan Pressly and Porter Hodge are there if he ever struggles.

Palencia has an 0-2 record, eight saves, a blown save and six holds over 27 appearances this season. He has a 1.86 ERA and 33 punchouts over 29 innings.

He's rostered in 54% of leagues, and that number should start rising because of his results in the team's closer role. 

Brewers

Trevor Megill has had a great month of June, and is up to 83% because of it.

He has eight of his 18 saves this month. Megill is 1-2 and has two blown saves on the year. He has a 2.60 ERA and 33 strikeouts over 27 2/3 innings.

Megill is trending up as a fantasy asset and is worth rostering while the Brewers are hot.

Cardinals

Ryan Helsley has righted the ship after allowing runs in four straight appearances to start the month. He has three scoreless outings in a row, with two saves and three punchouts in that span.

Helsley has a 3-0 record, 15 saves and five blown saves for the season. He has a 3.54 ERA over 28 innings, along with 33 punchouts.

Helsley is at 93% rostered right now, and will trend back up with more positive results.

Reds

Emilio Pagan hasn't pitched much of late, but is still enjoying a strong season.

He's got a 3.18 ERA and 43 strikeouts over 34 innings. Pagan has an 0-2 record, but 18 saves and two holds, along with three blown saves.

Pagan is rostered in 83% of leagues, and continues to trend up, like he mostly has for the past month.

Pirates

David Bednar hasn't worked much for his Pirates. He's appeared in just one game since Monday, but he earned a save in that contest.

Bednar has a 2-5 record, 11 saves, no blown saves and three holds on the season. He's got a 2.93 ERA and 39 strikeouts over 27 2/3 innings.

Bednar is rostered in 65% of leagues, and like Pagan, continues to climb, like he has for the past month.

Dodgers

Tanner Scott has regained control of the Dodgers' closer role. He has a save in four straight outings now.

He's 1-2 with 17 saves, five blown saves and seven holds over 39 appearances. Scott has a 3.55 ERA and 41 strikeouts over 38 innings.

Scott is trending back up after dropping near 80% earlier this month. He's rostered in 96% of fantasy leagues now.

Padres

Robert Suarez is the go-to guy in San Diego.

He has a 2-3 record, 22 saves and two blown saves over 35 appearances. Suarez has a 3.51 ERA and 34 strikeouts over 33 1/3 innings. He has two scoreless outings in a row, after allowing seven runs over a three-game stretch.

Adrian Morejon earned a save on Wednesday, but that's because Suarez was suspended for that contest. He should be reinstated on Saturday. Suarez is the guy you want, and is a top-end option this season.

Giants

Camilo Doval has the closer role in San Fran for now. Ryan Walker lost the role earlier this season, and Doval has pitched well enough to keep it so far.

Doval has a 3-2 record, 12 saves, three blown saves and seven holds over 37 games this season. He has a 2.78 ERA over 35 2/3 innings, and it jumped after allowing four runs (three earned) in an extra-inning appearance on Wednesday.

Doval still has a firm grasp of the closer role. He's up to 74% rostered, while Walker is down to 60%. Expect Doval to keep climbing, while Walker falls, if the closer role sticks with Doval.

Diamondbacks

Shelby Miller has settled into the closer role for the D-Backs. Justin Martinez (out for the season) and A.J. Puk (on the 60-day injured list) were the team's closers earlier this season.

Miller has a 3-2 record, nine saves, four blown saves and eight holds this season. He has a 1.97 ERA and 35 punchouts over 32 innings.

He has saves in back-to-back outings, and hasn't allowed a run in three straight games. Miller has five punchouts and just one baserunner allowed in that stretch. Miller is up to 45%, and that will continue to rise with more positive results.

Rockies

Seth Halvorsen has a hold of the team's closer role right now.

He's appeared in 33 games, posting a 4.18 ERA and 30 strikeouts over 32 1/3 innings. Halvorsen has a 1-2 record, six saves, three blown saves and four holds.

Halvorsen has four saves this month, while having a 2.79 ERA and 10 strikeouts over 9 2/3 innings, so he's on the rise. He's rostered in just 8% of leagues, but could see that increase if he pitches well and gets a couple more saves.