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For those of you looking for the “Aretha Friends and Family” talk channel, I am not going to say you are in the wrong place, but before you go, what the heck does TCB mean in the damn song?  Because there is no way it means “takin care of business”.  But anyways, thanks for coming and you can now leave as this geek-dom is full on extra for the ROS closer rankings. The ROS rankings are important…  Just like every other ROS stuff, because anything said purely as an acronym is full on important.  Just ask the government. So the rest of season closer rankings are more dictated on who is losing their jobs rather than who will continue TCB.  This rankings will not include corns, overpriced salads or freezes, just straight cold hard facts about who I think will be traded, demoted or basically just suck the rest of the year. Short, sweet, and to the point.  So if you were looking for some long didactic look at how closers will be the plight of your fantasy season because of X, Y and Z, you aren’t getting it.  Rankings 1-30ish.  Period, send it to the print shop.  Cheers!

  1. Craig Kimbrel – Almost 14 K/9, and 28 saves in 38 appearances, which is not a quantity play, but the team is the best in baseball and aren’t going to slow down.  Their SOS remaining is just over .500.  It’s completely feasible that the Sox can win 50 more games, and if percentages hold true, he ends the year with 52 saves.
  2. Aroldis Chapman – Best K-rate for save magnets.  Yankees bullpen has best K/9 in history of bullpening currently. More games to play than most, and bottom-two SOS remaining equals good things. Expect 24-plus saves, if they can lock up some starting pitching.
  3. Edwin Diaz – The midway leader with 36, and a pace of 65…wow.  Bobby Thigpen must be buying extra ointment for K-Rods tushy.  Can he keep up pace?  Prolly not entirely, but he should break 55 easily.
  4. Kenley Jansen – The preseason price tag made you all gulp about six weeks ago when he was scuffling. One homer allowed since May 1st, and only 5 earned runs allowed.  He’s the cream for a reason, just don’t churn it too long it will turn to butta.
  5. Corey Knebel – Injury derailed the counting stats a tad, but the Brewers are 17 games over 500.  Who would have said that preseason besides Billy Brewer?  11 saves to date, if he finishes with 30, it’s still a win for you and him.  But screw him.
  6. Blake Treinen – The fantasy reliever MVP, hands down.  Career high in K/9, if there was a worrisome fact it’s that he gives up more flyballs than GB’s.  That is all fantastic when he is limiting opposing batters to a .179.
  7. Raisel Iglesias – Momentum is a fantastic thing, just ask my friend who no longer talks to me about that push down the sleigh riding hill.  Screw him and his weird limp.  K-rate could be higher, but the 10 saves over the last 30 days is only behind Diaz, Jansen and yikes… Sergio Romo.
  8. Felipe Vazquez – If someone is down on him because they say he isn’t what he was last year, trade for him on the cheap and laugh at them.  8 saves in last month and a 17-plus K-rate over that time period.  The Pirates may not be winning anything, but they weren’t last year and he still ended up freaking awesome.
  9. Wade Davis – Do I or you think the Rockies can get enough starting pitching to push Wade’s saves into the high 40’s?  He is only 15 from 40, but the Rockies have the 2nd worst SOs remaining.  39 games at home and he is worse there like most pitchers.
  10. Hector Rondon – With Ken doll basically in the reliever ditch, it’s Rondon or a trade assist of greater value than him. If Britton is brought in or someone of the like are they a better option than him currently, I don’t think so.
  11. Brad Hand – Top name, but with trade possibilities.  I don’t think he gets traded, but the parts in front of him do making his job harder.
  12. Sean Doolittle – Injured sure, I would be more worried about the Nats just completely packing it in and saying we used to have Bryce Harper here.
  13. Brandon Morrow – I think he sees another DL stint before is all said and done with 2018.  Too many innings on his arm last year and a playoff-type atmosphere will make him skippable on some days late in the season.  If you own Morrow he is my must trade closer.
  14. Cody Allen – Needs help desperately!  A top 7 closer normally is failing because of supporting cast and heavy workload.
  15. Zach Britton – First traded closer, with or without Machado.  The D-backs are my guess, as they are still in first and Box is walk homer gag effect closer.
  16. Bud Norris – Is still the best reliever for the Cards despite Matheny messing around way too much.  Wished he K’d more but the Cards should be a 85-plus win team.
  17. Arodys Vizcaino – The first place, as of today, Braves…  Do they add to the extreme backend or go with what they have?  Vizcaino has been awesome when healthy.  I think they add a veteran like Soria on the cheap.
  18. Keone Kela – If Treinen is MVP of sleepy closers, Kela is numero dos.  9-plus K/9, controlling walks better, unfortunately the counting stats aren’t going to be there over the last 70-plus games for the Rangers.
  19. Seranthony Dominguez – The Phillies have 14 saves in their last 28 games.  Unfortunately they are by six different relievers.  Numbers are an elite closer with managerial closing problems.  I like him more than Arano, but they could split the last 25 save chances.
  20. Roberto Osuna – Comes back from suspension after the All Star break and should get the closer role back.  10-12 saves the rest of year aren’t a complete abomination for a felon.
  21. Jeurys Familia – The pending free agent is on the hapless Mets and as we know they are going nowhere fast.  Two save in the last 30 days and a K-rate barely above 6. Not a good place to be in SAGNOF-ville.
  22.  Jace Fry – It’s not if, but when for the pale hose to sell their vet pieces.  Fry is the guy to step in and be next years Brad Hand of reliever-type hype guys.
  23. Will Smith – I heart Will Smith.  Screw Jada, he’s my new heart teaser.  How can you not love the guy who took over for the guy who took over for another guy?  Strickland should return to some end game role, but for now as of today, Smith is the best pitcher there.
  24. Blake Parker – Let’s just blame Parker for Mike Trout being on a loser.
  25. Trevor Hildenberger – The Rodney rumors are already swirling, and Reed is absentia. Trevor did admirable last year when he had the gig and should get first chair once the trade smoke goes away.
  26. Kyle Barraclough – Super coveted by other teams, but I think the Marlins keep him there for the duration of the season.  5 saves and tiny 1.36 ERA over last 14 appearances.
  27. Joe Jimenez – From a waiver wire, you won the day type thing you hit the jackpot with JJ. K rate is there future in the closers seat is there.  Greene is not long for the Motor City.  Which is good for him, better for you if you own Jimenez
  28. Mychal Givens – O’day is now out for the year.  Britton should be on a contender before the calendar turns to August and we know what Brach is, but I’d rather Givens get the chance in the Charm City.
  29. Wily Peralta – Ugh, I mean someone has to close for the Royales with cheese.  Peralta has 2 saves in 8 appearances, luckily for him the saves number game doesn’t favor his luck.  Not a name to bank on, buts saves got no face.
  30. Jose Alvarado – Romo is going somewhere else to start game one of the World Series for someone.  Funny, as it would be the Rays are better suited getting assets for him as a closer.  Alvarado or Chaz Roe could be the end game ticket.