Fantasy Baseball AL Closer Report: Rising Save Options and Bullpen Trends

After looking over fantasy baseball closers/bullpens in the National League, let's do the same for the American League.

Here's the last AL update we did.

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Yankees

Closer David Bednar has pitched twice over the past six days, but those outings came on Saturday and Sunday. He earned a save on Saturday and didn't get a decision on Sunday.

Camilo Doval and Fernando Cruz are the top setup men right now, but the closer role is clearly Bednar's to lose.

Rays

No Tampa Bay reliever earned a save over the past week. Closer Bryan Baker had just one appearance, not earning a decision on Sunday.

Kevin Kelly and Garrett Cleavinger are the top setup men right now. Baker has the closer role locked up for now, but I could see it changing later this season, so keep tabs on him and his numbers.

White Sox

Seranthony Dominguez earned a save on Sunday. That was his only appearance of the week, and the team's lone save over the past six days.

Grant Taylor is the top setup man, and has earned a couple saves this year. Bryan Hudson is another high-leverage reliever. Dominguez seems to be the leader for saves, but things aren't quite settled, so keep tabs on things.

Guardians

Cade Smith is the team's closer, and had a save on Saturday and Thursday in his lone appearances over the past six days. He's a high-end fantasy reliever, and the Guardians are winning enough close games to support him.

Hunter Gaddis and Shawn Armstrong are some of the top setup men, with Colin Holderman and Tim Herrin also getting holds this week. They all have at least a little deep-league fantasy value.

Mariners

Andres Munoz had a much-needed big week, earning saves on Tuesday and Thursday across three appearances. He's back on the rise after some struggles of late, and this season overall.

Jose A. Ferrer is the top setup man, with Eduard Bazardo earning a couple of holds this week as well. Munoz is clearly still the top option for saves though.

Blue Jays

Close Louis Varland took a loss on Saturday, but bounced back with saves on Tuesday and Wednesday. He's the best fantasy relief option in Toronto, and he'll still be a good fantasy asset even if he loses the closer job eventually.

Mason Fluharty picked up a save on Thursday, when Varland and others were down after pitching two straight games. Tyler Rogers and Jeff Hoffman are a couple other high-leverage relievers the Blue Jays utilize.

Athletics

Elvis Alvarado is an emerging fantasy reliever for the Athletics. He got a save on Saturday, but then was handed a loss on Tuesday. Alvarado is the guy to watch in this bullpen, but he'll need to be more consistent to be added in more leagues.

Hogan Harris and Mason Barnett are a couple others who are in a projected closer committee right now. Mark Leiter Jr. and Justin Sterner are still around too.

I like Alvarado the most right now, but things aren't settled, so keep close tabs on things.

Twins

Yoendrys Gomez is on the rise after earning saves on Sunday and Monday. He could be emerging as the team's closer, so he's a rising fantasy asset.

Anthony Banda, Andrew Morris, Taylor Rogers and Eric Orze are others to keep tabs on in this unsettled situation. We'll see if Minnesota can win enough to support some fantasy relievers.

Rangers

Jacob Latz continues to shine, although he pitched just once this week. He got a save in his lone appearance on Sunday. Latz is a sneaky-good fantasy asset who needs to be utilized in more leagues right now.

Jakob Junis, Cole Winn and Tyler Alexander are other relievers to keep tabs on, but Latz has the closer role locked up right now.

Orioles

Ryan Helsley is back from the injured list, but doesn't have a save chance in his three games since returning. He's the clear choice for saves in Baltimore.

Rico Garcia filled in pretty well, and still has some deep-league fantasy value. Andrew Kittredge is another late-inning reliever the Orioles use, and Yennier Cano earned a hold this week.

Astros

Josh Hader is the team's closer, and should get most save chances the rest of the season. He earned saves on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Bryan Abreu got a save on Saturday, so he might be next in line if Hader is ever unavailable. Bryan King and Enyel De Los Santos are some other relievers with some deep-league fantasy value.

Royals

Carlos Estevez is still out with an injury, and Alex Lange has been the top option for saves of late. He took a loss on Saturday across two appearances over the past six days.

Lucas Erceg is another option for saves. Daniel Lynch IV and Steven Cruz are other relievers who got holds. Keep tabs on things, but KC might not win enough to support fantasy closers outside deeper leagues.

Tigers

No Detroit reliever earned a save over the past six days. Closer Kenley Jansen is back, but he didn't get a decision in his lone appearance of the week.

Will Vest and Kyle Finnegan are the top setup men for now, with Tyler Holton another trusted reliever. Jansen is the go-to guy when he's healthy though.

Red Sox

Closer Aroldis Chapman got to pitch twice over the past six days, earning a save on Saturday, but taking a loss on Thursday. He's the clear go-to closer.

Garrett Whitlock and Justin Slaten are the top setup men, and could get saves if Chapman is ever traded away.

Angels

No LA reliever earned a save over the past six days. Kirby Yates is the projected closer, but didn't earn a decision in either appearance he made this week.

Sam Bachman and Chase Silseth are some setup men in this unsettled situation. Keep tabs on things, but don't expect a meaningful fantasy reliever to ever emerge in LA.