Fantasy Baseball American League Closer Updates: Who Leads the Way for Each Team?

It's time for our weekly update on fantasy baseball closers.

We'll begin with the American League closers in this story, then check out National League closers in another article. Here's the last AL closer update.

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Astros

Josh Hader is the Houston closer and is enjoying a big season, but has struggled a bit in July.

He has two saves this month, but also has allowed five runs (four earned) over four innings. Hader has six strikeouts to help offset some of the runs he's allowed.

Hader is 5-2 with 25 saves and still no blown saves this season. Hader has a 2.38 earned run average (it was 1.80 before a blowup outing his last time out), along with 63 strikeouts over 41 2/3 innings. 

Hader is still an elite fantasy option, and I don't expect his struggles to last any longer. Now could be a time to buy a bit cheaper on him.

Mariners

Andres Munoz has been great this season, but he too was roughed up recently. On Thursday, he blew a save against the Yankees, allowing two runs on three hits and a walk over an inning.

On the season, Munoz is 3-1 with 21 saves and six blown saves. He has a 1.54 ERA over 35 innings, while striking out 45 batters along the way.

It's a time to also maybe buy lower on Munoz, but he's been an elite fantasy reliever this season, and I expect more of the same after the All-Star break.

Rangers

There's still no go-to closer in Texas.

Luke Jackson appears to have lost his closer role, as he's worked in the seventh and eighth innings of late. Robert Garcia is pitching in the ninth or 10th innings of late, but doesn't have a save over his past five appearances.

Shawn Armstrong earned a save on July 5, but has worked in the fifth and sixth innings over his past two outings. Chris Martin is another option, but hasn't worked in a save situation in a while.

Garcia is the most-owned Texas fantasy reliever, but is at just 21%. Martin is at 20%, while Jackson is at 12%. Armstrong is at 3%. 

This is a situation to monitor, but for now, none of these guys are worth rostering in standard leagues, and there's probably better options available in deeper setups too.

Angels

Kenley Jansen is the team's closer. He's been great in July, working five scoreless innings and striking out nine.

Jansen is 2-2 with 16 saves and one blown save this season. He has 35 punchouts and a 3.48 ERA over 33 2/3 innings.

Jansen sits at 65% rostered, and should continue to trend up with more scoreless outings.

Athletics

Mason Miller continues to serve as the Athletics' closer. He's been much better of late, not allowing a run over his past six innings. Miller has three saves and eight strikeouts in that stretch.

Miller ‘s ERA is down to 4.28, and he has 54 strikeouts over 33 2/3 innings. He is 1-2 with 17 saves and three blown saves.

He's trending back up and is rostered in 96% of leagues now. That number will increase if he continues to throw up zeros and earn some saves.

Tigers

Tommy Kahnle earned a save on July 5, but it's still Will Vest as the main closer in Detroit.

Vest has covered 42 innings this season, going 5-1 with 15 saves, three blown saves and a hold along the way. He has a 2.14 ERA and 48 strikeouts.

Vest is up to 74% rostered, and that number should really be higher as the closer on one of the league's best teams. Kahnle is at 41%, and he's also slightly on the rise, but is going to go down if he isn't earning many saves.

Royals

Carlos Estevez hasn't had a loss or blown save since June 15. He has six saves and a win since then, while allowing just two runs over 9 1/3 innings.

Over 40 innings this season, Estevez has a 2.03 ERA and 33 punchouts. He is 3-2 with 25 saves and just three blown saves.

He's up to 94% rostered, and probably should be owned in even more leagues. Estevez has been one of the top closers all season.

Twins

Jhoan Duran has been on a roll of late, earning four saves and a win over his past five appearances. He has five strikeouts over six innings in that stretch.

Duran is 5-3 with 14 saves, two blown saves and a hold this season. He has 45 punchouts over 41 1/3 innings, along with a 1.52 ERA.

Being on a better team would help his fantasy outlook, but he's still rostered in 92% of leagues. He should be on the rise after how he's pitched of late.

Guardians

Emmanuel Clase continues to function as the Cleveland closer. He has a save, blown save and loss over four July outings.

He has a 4-2 record, 19 saves, four blown saves and a hold over 41 appearances this season. Over 40 1/3 innings, Clase has 40 strikeouts and a 3.12 ERA.

Clase is not near the level he pitched at in 2024, and that makes him overrated in my eyes, because he's still owned and started daily in all leagues. I'd look to swap him out, as he still has decent trade value. 

White Sox

Nobody knows who the White Sox' closer would be - if they ever got a save chance.

The last save chance went to Jordan Leasure, but Grant Taylor had a few saves before that. Taylor is at 20% rostered, while Leasure is at just 1%. I too think Taylor should be the most-rostered Chicago reliever, but he's just a deep-league asset.

Blue Jays

Jeff Hoffman has earned saves in five straight appearances for Toronto. He hasn't allowed a run over his past six appearances and innings, and hasn't given up an earned run over his past 8 1/3 innings.

Hoffman's ERA is down to 4.46, and he has 51 strikeouts over 38 1/3 innings this season. He has a 6-2 record, 22 saves and four blown saves on the season.

He's at 97% rostered, and really deserves to be owned and utilized in all leagues right now. He's a sell-high candidate as well, especially because his fantasy value is boosted heavily by the six wins (something that is unlikely to repeat itself the rest of the season).

Yankees

Devin Williams is back as the New York closer, just like he was supposed to be coming into the season.

He has three saves and a win over his past five appearances, while also taking one loss. Williams has allowed two runs (in one appearance) over his past 12 outings and 11 2/3 innings.

Williams is 3-3 with 13 saves, a blown save and seven holds this season. He has a 4.72 ERA and 44 strikeouts over 34 1/3 innings.

He's now rostered in 87% of leagues, and that will rise with more saves and scoreless appearances.

Rays

Pete Fairbanks is the Tampa Bay closer. He has a win over three July appearances so far.

Fairbanks is 4-2 with 15 saves and two blown saves so far this season. He has a 2.27 ERA and 31 punchouts over 35 2/3 innings.

Fairbanks is rostered in 74% of leagues, and will only rise if he starts getting more work and saves. He's maybe a name to track at the trade deadline.

Red Sox

Aroldis Chapman is the team's go-to closer, although he still occasionally works before the ninth.

He has a 3-2 record, 16 saves, a blown save and three holds this season. Chapman has a 1.22 ERA and 55 strikeouts over 37 innings.

Chapman is now rostered in 91% of leagues. That big strikeout total and low ERA has him as an elite fantasy option, even if he lacks the numbers of some other closers.

Orioles

Felix Bautista has been stellar of late. Since May 31, he has allowed just one run over 16 innings, while striking out 27 in that stretch.

He is 1-1 with 18 saves and one blown save this season. Bautista has a 2.41 ERA and 48 punchouts over 33 2/3 innings.

Bautista is rostered in 93% of leagues, but might not get to 100% again unless Baltimore starts winning more. He's another name to watch at the deadline.