Fantasy Baseball Closer Report: Lucas Erceg Remains Perfect in His New Role

With the fantasy baseball season coming to a close and the NFL about to begin, this will be the final fantasy baseball closer report of the season! Fittingly for the final update, there is no hugely groundbreaking news to report this week. We’ve had some movement in a few committees, including a couple of particularly disappointing updates, but nothing major.

The top fantasy closers over the last few weeks of the season will likely remain the same as they have been all year. Good luck to all of you in your fantasy baseball playoffs!

Baltimore Orioles: Seranthony Dominguez Separates from the Pack

At the time of my last update on the Cardinals, I was predicting that Dominguez would claim a true closer role, but he was still in a committee with Yennier Cano. That is no longer the case. Dominguez has each of the Orioles’ last five save chances and has gotten the job done each time. 

Chicago Cubs: Jorge Lopez and Porter Hodge Remain in Committee

After the Cubs released Hector Neris, I really wanted Hodge, an exciting rookie with stellar peripherals, to run away with this job. Unfortunately, that simply hasn’t happened. Even while Hodge has lowered his ERA to 1.97 and WHIP to 0.875, Lopez recorded the team’s most recent save (last Friday). Hodge obviously still has more upside, but he is not worth chasing at this point if saves are key to your league’s scoring.

Colorado Rockies: Tyler Kinley takes Over (for now) with Victor Vodnik on IL

Vodnik, who had been stable as the Rockies’ closer, is now on the injured list with a biceps injury. In his place, Kinley, who had been serving as a setup man, recorded a save on Monday. Although his season-long performance leaves something to be desired, Kinley has actually been stellar of late with a 0.79 WHIP over the last 30 days. Unfortunately, he melted down in a non-save situation on Tuesday, giving up a four-run lead in the ninth inning  — it remains to be seen if he will get the next save opportunity while Vodnik remains out. 

Kansas City Royals: Lucas Erceg Stays Perfect, Pulls Away

Since being traded to Kansas City from the A’s, Erceg has now made 11 appearances without allowing a single unearned run. It is perhaps unsurprising then that he has now established himself as the Royals’ clear closer, having picked up three of the team’s last four saves, with the one exception being a three-inning rule save in the back half of a doubleheader. Erceg is absolutely worth rostering as long as this hot streak continues, which at this point could be through the end of the regular season.

Tampa Bay Rays: It’s a Committee

This situation is very similar to the one with the Cubs. When Pete Fairbanks hit the IL, fantasy managers were likely hoping that Edwin Uceta, with his 0.84 ERA, 0.649 WHIP, and 35.9% K rate would begin to rack up saves. Instead, this is a full-blown committee. Each of Uceta (one), Manuel Rodriguez (two), and Garrett Cleavinger (one) have recorded a save over the last 10 days. Uceta still has the most upside, but this seems like a classic committee situation in Tampa Bay. 

Stable Teams

• Atlanta Braves: Raisel Iglesias

• Arizona Diamondbacks: Justin Martinez steps up

• Boston Red Sox: Kenley Jansen

• Chicago White Sox: Chad Kuhl records team’s first save since July

• Cincinnati Reds: Alexis Diaz

• Cleveland Guardians: Emmanuel Clase

• Detroit Tigers: Jason Foley still best pick of ugly committee 

• Houston Astros: Josh Hader

• Los Angeles Angels: Ben Joyce

• Los Angeles Dodgers: Daniel Hudson, Evan Phillips and Michael Kopech form productive committee

• Miami Marlins: Calvin Faucher 

• Milwaukee Brewers: Devin Williams

• Minnesota Twins: Jhoan Duran

• New York Mets: Edwin Diaz

• New York Yankees: Clay Holmes

• Oakland Athletics: Mason Miller 

• Philadelphia Phillies: Carlos Estevez 

• Pittsburgh Pirates: David Bednar

• San Diego Padres: Robert Suarez

• San Francisco Giants: Ryan Walker takes over following Camilo Doval’s surprise demotion to AAA

• Seattle Mariners: Andres Munoz

• St. Louis Cardinals: Ryan Helsley

• Texas Rangers: Kirby Yates

• Toronto Blue Jays: Chad Green 

• Washington Nationals: Kyle Finnegan