Save and Steal: Back on the Right Path

In this week’s Saves and Steals, Jhoan Duran and Craig Kimbrel return to the track with four and three saves, respectively. Edwin Díaz is sidelined due to a shoulder injury. And Evan Phillips approaches his return to the mound. In the speed department, David Hamilton has the opportunity to run wild in Boston.

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Closest Fantasy Baseball Rankings

Layer 1: On top

Emmanuel Clase – Cleveland Guardians
Mason Miller – Oakland A’s

Two more saves in two scoreless games this week gives Class 17 for the season, first in the American League. His 0.33 ERA is also the best mark among all qualified relievers. Just two walks all season and no home runs allowed will be enough. Meanwhile, Miller continues to eliminate everyone. He picked up two more saves, giving him 11 with a 1.88 ERA, 0.79 WHIP and 47 strikeouts in 24 innings for the best strikeout rate in baseball.

Tier 2: The Elite

Ryan Helsley – St.
Clay Holmes-New York Yankees
Josh Hader-Houston Astros
Robert Suárez – San Diego Padres
Andrés Muñoz – Seattle Mariners

Helsley is top of the saves league table with 18 after holding on for a save against the Reds on Wednesday. Jojo Romero has emerged as a top-tier reliever in holding leagues, leading baseball with 18 holds. Just behind Helsley is Holmes, who converted three more saves this week to give him 16.

Hader converted his seventh save of the season against the A’s on Friday, then allowed a solo home run in a no-save situation on Sunday. He trails only Mason Miller and Fernando Cruz in strikeout rate among qualified relievers.

Suarez made three more saves for the Padres. He is 16 with a 0.73 ERA, 0.69 WHIP and 24 strikeouts in 24 2/3 innings. Behind Suarez, Jeremiah Estrada quickly rose through the ranks. He has been a strikeout machine and someone to roster in deeper formats and has maintained leagues with a 0.55 ERA, 0.55 WHIP and 28 strikeouts in 16 1/3 innings.

Muñoz is on a roll, converting a save this week for his 11th of the season while also posting a 1.48 ERA, 0.90 WHIP and 33 strikeouts in 24 1/3 innings. With Muñoz unavailable on Tuesday, Ryne Stanek converted his third save of the season and first since April 12.

Tier 3: The Solid Options

Camilo Doval – San Francisco Giants
Kirby Yates – Texas Rangers
Jhoan Duran – Minnesota Twins
Craig Kimbrel – Baltimore Orioles
Paul Sewald-Arizona Diamondbacks
Kenley Jansen-Boston Red Sox
Raisel Iglesias-Atlanta Braves
Kyle Finnegan – Washington Nationals

Just one save for Doval this week. He has nine on the season through two months. It’s not quite the same pace he was at last season after finishing with 39 saves. The Giants have been playing better baseball lately and could bring in more defensive prospects. Yates also saw just one save this week, giving him eight. He has been outstanding this season, posting a 0.89 ERA, 0.89 WHIP and 25 strikeouts in 20 1/3 innings.

Duran led the way in saves this week, converting four in five days. He took the closer role at Minnesota after the team worked with a committee for a while. Duran has as many as eight saves with a 3.46 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 13 strikeouts in 13 innings.

Kimbrel has now made seven consecutive appearances without allowing a hit or a walk as he returns to the track after a rough stretch. With three saves this week, he has 12 on the year, with a 3.15 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 29 strikeouts in 20 frames.

Chances on defense have been slim for Sewald since he was activated from the injured list earlier this month. He picked up his fourth save and allowed just one run with seven strikeouts in seven innings of work. Jansen also picked up a save this week, working a clean ninth inning with two strikeouts against the Brewers on Sunday.

Iglesias had two saves this week for a total of 13. He struck out two batters in perfect innings in both games. It was only the third time he’s struck out multiple batters in a game, but hopefully it’s a sign of more hits to come.

Finnegan made his 14th save. He has been excellent this season, posting a 1.71 ERA, 0.95 WHIP and 21 strikeouts in 21 innings. Since giving up three runs on March 31, he has allowed just one earned run in his last 19 starts. Finnegan could find himself traded to a contender before the trade deadline.

Level 4: there are advantages here

José Alvarado/Jeff Hoffman – Philadelphia Phillies
David Bednar – Pittsburgh Pirates
Jordan Romano vs. Toronto Blue Jays
James McArthur – Kansas City Royals
Pete Fairbanks/Jason Adam/Garrett Cleavinger – Tampa Bay Rays
Trevor Megill – Milwaukee Brewers
Jason Foley – Detroit Tigers
Alexis Díaz – Cincinnati Reds
Tanner Scott-Miami Marlins

Alvarado missed a save against the Rockies on Friday. This came one day after Hoffman converted his fourth save. While Alvarado leads the team with nine saves to Hoffman’s four saves, the two must continue to work by committee.

Bednar had three scoreless games, making one save for his 11th of the season. He had a much better May after struggling in April, giving up just three runs in 12 1/3 innings for the month. Like Bednar, Romano struggled a bit after recovering from injury. He allowed three runs against the Tigers on Sunday to take the loss before bouncing back on Wednesday with his eighth save against the White Sox.

McArthur gave up one run in two innings of work against the Rays on Saturday and got in line for the win. He posted a 3.80 ERA, 1.31 WHIP and 23 strikeouts in 23 2/3 innings. In Tampa Bay, Fairbanks had two scoreless games, converting his fifth save and earning a victory.

Megill picked up his eighth save this week but will be unavailable for a few days after being hit by a return pitcher’s elbow on Tuesday. Bryan Hudson has been excellent in a setup role and could be next in line for saves.

Foley recorded his 11th save on Friday, then held on Saturday before giving up three runs to the Blue Jays on Sunday in his third appearance in three days for the blown save. Tyler Holton converted his first save, but Foley remains the favorite to lead Detroit.

Díaz has had three clean sheets this week, making two saves. He is up to 10 with a 5.75 ERA, 1.48 WHIP and 22 strikeouts in 20 1/3 innings. Meanwhile, Scott made his seventh save this week and extended his scoreless streak to 16 games.

Tier 5: Just Surviving

Carlos Estévez – Los Angeles Angels
Héctor Neris – Chicago Cubs
Michael Kopech-Chicago White Sox
Daniel Hudson/Alex Vesia – Los Angeles Dodgers
Reed Garrett/Adam Ottavino – New York Mets

Estévez made an appearance this week, converting his eighth save with a clean inning against the Yankees on Tuesday. With an expiring contract and the Angels in last place in the West, he could be a trade candidate in the coming months.

Neris was charged with a blown save Tuesday after giving up a run to the Brewers but fell in line for the win. After a great start to the season, Mark Leiter Jr. has struggled a bit, with six runs allowed in his last three starts. The Cubs could be a team looking for help during the trade deadline.

Kopech hit two home runs against the Orioles on Saturday to blow a save. He remains five saves with a 4.18 ERA, 1.35 WHIP and 33 strikeouts in 23 2/3 innings.

Both Hudson and Vesia converted a save for the Dodgers during Tuesday’s doubleheader against the Mets. Evan Phillips is expected to return for the team’s home series against the Rockies on Friday and is expected to return to the closer position. He has been out for four weeks with a hamstring injury. And things continue to get worse in New York. Edwin Díaz was placed on the 15-day injured list due to a right shoulder injury. Garrett and Ottavino should work as a committee on defensive chances, but Jake Diekman could also factor into the mix.

Level 6: if you need it

Jalen Beeks – Colorado Rockies

Injured

Devin Williams – Back
Evan Phillips – hamstring
Edwin Díaz – Shoulder

Robbery Department

Brenton Doyle led the way this week with five steals. Her 10th place finish in May is just behind Elly De La Cruz’s 13th place finish for the month. He collected 14 on the season while slashing a solid .271/.346/.422 with five homers, 36 runs scored and 15 RBI in 217 plate appearances. The 26-year-old outfielder is likely rostered in all but the most superficial point formats, but should be added immediately if he is still available in any category league. More widely available across all formats is Jesse Winker, who stole four bags this week to give him nine this season. Winker entered the year with just three career steals in 2,267 games. Still, it doesn’t look like he’s slowing down, given his success rate (9-for-11) through his new aggressive approach on the bases. In Boston, David Hamilton should get a chance to play shortstop every day. With Tyler O’Neill now on the injured list, Ceddanne Rafaela will be needed in the outfield in his absence. Hamilton stole his eighth base on Wednesday in just 92 games this season. He’s slashing .265/.337/.410, showing improvement in his small sample size of 2023 in the majors. Drafted in just 1% of Yahoo leagues, he could make a difference in the speed department.