Paul’s Call to the ‘Pen: May 20 – Saves Edition

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  • By Paul Williamson

    Last Updated on May 20, 2026 12:58 pm by Paul Williamson | Published: May 20, 2026

    Some ‘pens are clear as day.

    Some have been frustrating guessing games.

    Some closers have run away with their resective jobs.

    Some are barely hanging on.

    As always, I will list my closers in the following tiers.

    Must-roster – they should be rostered in all leagues.

    Solid play – They are 12-team viable, fringe options for shallower leagues.

    Fringe-play – I would only roster them in 12-team leagues if I was starved for saves or holds

    Deep league play – I’m only using them in deeper than 12-team leagues

    Dart throw – Are you desperate?

    MUST ROSTER

    Louis Varland – TOR – Varland has not done anything to lose the job and has been dominant.

    Raisel Iglesias – ATL – Dude has been nails and isn’t showing signs of ceding role to Robert Suarez.

    Riley O’Brien – STL – He  is the closer I think I will be doing victory laps over when it is all said and done. He was a favorite late target of mine but what I didn’t expect was the Cardinals to be eight games above .500. SCORE!

    Daniel Palencia – CHC – He was back up over 100+ and he looks good coming off the injury.

    Cade Smith – CLE – 13 Ks in his last 6.1 innings entering Tuesday NARRATOR: Smith made it 16 in 7.1 on Tuesday).

    Jhoan Duran – PHI – 13 Ks in his last 6.0 innings entering Tuesday. Take THAT Cade Smith!

    Mason Miller – SDP – 13 Ks in his last 5.2 innings entering Tuesday. Take THAT Jhoan Duran!

    Andres Munoz – SEA – Has allowed runs in just two of his last nine outings.

    Devin Williams – NYM – the little freakout about  the Airbender changes from earlier in the year seem to be in the rearview.

    Bryan Baker – TBR – The Rays may go all “Rays’ on us and use him earlier than the ninth here and there, but this team is winning a lot and should provide enough saves for him, regardless.

    Aroldis Chapman – BOS – The velo dip, return of the walks and hard hit data has not stopped him from being dominant. If you can trade him for elite closer value, do it. Elite closers were going top-50 in drafts. So, see if you can get can top-50 value for Chapman right now. But don’t accept less.

    SOLID PLAY

    Tanner Scott – LAD – He has been rock solid and has the only save chances so far without Edwin Diaz. If it stays that way for another save chance (or two), I will bump him up to the top tier. But I still don’t fully trust Dave Roberts to oblige.

    Josh Hader – HOU – He is close to returning and his K upside is enough to make him a solid play, even if the Astros may not provide a ton of saves.

    Kenley Jansen – DET – I may just have to take this L. He keeps doing his thang.

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    May 20, 2026, 12:58 pm