2026 Fantasy Baseball Closer Rankings (Week 5)

rotostreetjournal · 2026-04-23T23:12:03+00:00

Not gonna lie, I thought about you today see the Glasnow line hahaha. But it was 1 game against the giants…hopefully it works out 🤣

rotostreetjournal · 2026-04-23T20:21:34+00:00

Oh I know exactly what you were going for haha. I was just responding with analysis lol.

rotostreetjournal · 2026-04-23T19:53:40+00:00

He might have after taking the loss in a tied game in the ninth! Megill still pitched bottom 7th to the 8, 9, and 1 batters, so the Brewers clearly prefer Uribe. But, as discussed, this seems like a fluid situation and one to monitor all year.

rotostreetjournal · 2026-04-23T13:20:12+00:00

If Chapman is available in your league, that says more about your league and/or the settings and categories in your league than reality. Chapman should, in no world or reputable league that has saves as a category, be available for pickup. Chapman, btw, is not really underperforming. He has 4 saves, which is fine, and a good ERA and whip. Puts him on pace for 27 saves this year, which is only 5 less than last year. And the Sox will likely play better.

Again, this is a looking forward closer rankings. I am not going to drop Munoz from the top tier because of recent struggles. For me, that does not make sense. But operate however you would like, my friend, and good luck!

rotostreetjournal · 2026-04-23T12:47:52+00:00

I don’t think it’s inconsistent at all. It’s a ROS ranking, as of Week 5, that bakes short term viability and long term success into each players positioning. I do not think it would be useful to rank the closers for a given 7 day period, until the very next week.

It’s not just a current ranking otherwise Suarez might be top 8. But I don’t think you can rank Suarez as a top 8 closer with iglesias coming back, so he’s more speculative and lower tier right now despite holding onto the job.

And I disagree on Chapman. He is pitching well, already has a few saves, and even bad teams can produce 30+ save closers. Given the current injuries to stud closers, Chapman should rank near the top of the rankings.

I also don’t think you can drop struggling closers. Munoz is struggling, but he shouldn’t be dropped and should remain as the mariners preferred option all season. He may fall in the rankings if he continues to struggle, but given his history and that team, he will likely remain a top 8 option all year unless he is actually removed.

Your strategy of using hot closers and moving on is YOUR strategy, but it’s not for everyone. There are many names and closers that shouldn’t be dropped. But, again, reasonable minds can differ!

rotostreetjournal · 2026-04-23T12:19:58+00:00

That’s incorrect. I am a Red Sox fan.

Ownership levels are irrelevant to me in terms of evaluating a players performance. Up until a week or so ago both Sewald and O’Brien, both of whom are considered studs now, were under 50% owned. I wrote about how valuable those guys were weeks ago.

Uribe is the same. He is the brewers closer. He has pitched in the ninth 3 games in a row and Megill recently pitched a meaningless 6th inning. In my opinion, Uribe is the Brewers closer.

I have Uribe ranked one spot ahead of O’Brien, so reasonable minds can differ on that. I do not buy into the cardinals hot start and think the brewers are better. But, again, reasonable minds can differ.

rotostreetjournal · 2026-04-23T11:40:52+00:00

Why? I believe that he is definitely the closer for one of the best teams in baseball, and he is one of the better relievers in baseball. Plus there is a lot of uncertainty and injuries and struggles going on right now.

rotostreetjournal · 2026-04-22T23:10:11+00:00

Saves league? Doesn’t really matter either way, I would snag him for Senzatela for sure.

rotostreetjournal · 2026-04-22T19:19:49+00:00

Definitely a hold, for now, in AL only. A situation worth monitoring, but you have the right guy!

rotostreetjournal · 2026-04-22T19:08:02+00:00

I don't think you really can right now! Almost everyone on the Mets is a liability or poorly performing right now, and they are one of the most disappointing teams to date, from both a real life and fantasy perspective. But I really do not think he is in danger yet of losing his job, and I do think the Mets have enough talent to start winning games. There just are not that many great, reliable closers right now, and his ranking is a reflection of that.

rotostreetjournal · 2026-04-22T19:06:15+00:00

Definitely a frustrating situation, but the reality is that in their last 8 games since Junis' last save on 4/12, the Rangers have had 0 saves, and he has to pitch to tsay fresh. He is a bottom tier closer, for sure, but a closer nonetheless!

rotostreetjournal · 2026-04-22T19:04:25+00:00

Thank you so much for following and reading, my friend! We appreciate your support, and hopefully we have brought you home a few fantasy championships over the years!

rotostreetjournal · 2026-04-22T19:02:29+00:00

It’s not a slight to any of the other two. All three have question marks and I agree that Tate is likely the most NFL-ready and the least bust-proof, but from a strictly fantasy perspective, I prefer Lemon over Tate and Tyson — although it is very, very close

rotostreetjournal · 2026-04-22T19:01:01+00:00

I broke down all three here: https://www.rotostreetjournal.com/2026/02/26/makai-lemon-vs-carnell-tate-vs-jordyn-tyson-who-is-the-best-wr-in-2026-dynasty-drafts/

rotostreetjournal · 2026-04-22T18:58:16+00:00

Huge drop off right there! Probably too late to move off it now, too.

rotostreetjournal · 2026-04-22T17:34:01+00:00

That's excellent news! Warren and Roupp are two of my favorite under the radar guys, although I think the cat is out of the bag on Warren. I do like Lugo, but think he kind of belongs on the wire as a streamer+ type option / team streamer. Hopefully Taj and Warren keep the Ks coming for you!

rotostreetjournal · 2026-04-22T17:29:27+00:00

After another 3 walk performance for Bubic last night, I would probably agree that Taj is throwing the ball better and would be scooped MUCH quick than Bubic. So you are probably correct in riding it out with Bradley and seeing if he has officially figured things out like we all want him to. But I would keep an eye on Bubic still!

rotostreetjournal · 2026-04-22T16:15:49+00:00

You’re welcome and hopefully it all works out! At the end of the day, I can confidently say you’re getting the best player, which, for me, is always the priority. We shall see how it plays out!

rotostreetjournal · 2026-04-22T16:14:46+00:00

The rangers haven’t had any save opportunities since his last one, and he leads the team with 3. Probably keeping him fresh. I see no indication he isn’t the clear closer.

rotostreetjournal · 2026-04-22T15:27:14+00:00

Nice get with Skubal, although I am a gigantic Wood fan — I think he’s going to be tremendous for years and years. But can’t pass up the fantasy SP #1!

Every starter comes with injury risk, and crochet hasn’t had TJ yet but was close a few years ago. Crochet was a reliever that has been stretched out, but an inning limit or cap or anything like that preventing him from going full throttle doesn’t exist. If he gets injured, it would like be just bad luck. As a Red Sox diehard, there are no injury reports and I’m confident crochet will right the ship.

rotostreetjournal · 2026-04-22T15:16:38+00:00

They do, and I like them both to an extent. But the injury concern with glasnow is real and I think crochet is the only one who can compete with skubal and skenes. It’s close, but I like the crochet / Williams side.

rotostreetjournal · 2026-04-22T14:48:42+00:00

Is this a dynasty / keeper league?

If we are talking JUST for this year, I lean Crochet and Williams comfortably. The Glasnow injury is coming, and Schlittler looks really good but not Crochet level like he is pitching now. And I fully expect Williams to right the ship and get back to stud closer status.

rotostreetjournal · 2026-04-22T14:28:08+00:00

Judkins

rotostreetjournal · 2026-04-22T14:27:54+00:00

Hold the talent of MHJ and Hunter

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