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Fantasy: Yankees' Betances-Miller time-share highlights weekly closer grid

Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

Every week we'll look at each team's closing situation - who's in, who's out, who's next in line - and provide fantasy-related tidbits

AL East

Team Closer Next in line
Blue Jays Miguel Castro Brett Cecil/Roberto Osuna
Orioles Zach Britton Tommy Hunter/Darren O'Day
Rays Brad Boxberger Ernesto Frieri/Grant Balfour
Red Sox Koji Uehara Edward Mujica/Junichi Tazawa
Yankees Andrew Miller Dellin Betances
  • The Blue Jays may be operating with more of a committee approach in the ninth, but rookie Miguel Castro has the team's only two saves. 
  • Andrew Miller has outpitched Dellin Betances early and collected the Yankees' only two saves. Miller appears to have a leg up on Betances for now, but manager Joe Girardi could make this a matchup-based role. 

AL Central

Team Closer Next in line
Indians Cody Allen Bryan Shaw
Royals Greg Holland Wade Davis/Kelvin Herrera
Tigers Joakim Soria Al Alburquerque/Joba Chamberlain
Twins Glen Perkins Casey Fien
White Sox David Robertson Zach Putnam
  • AL Central closers have extremely good job security for the most part. Something to watch will be if Joakim Soria can keep the job once Joe Nathan returns from injury. Soria converted all three of his save opportunities entering play Wednesday.

AL West

Team Closer Next in line
Angels Huston Street Joe Smith/Fernando Salas
Astros Luke Gregerson Chad Qualls/Pat Neshek
Athletics Tyler Clippard Dan Otero
Mariners Fernando Rodney Danny Farquhar
Rangers Neftali Feliz Shawn Tolleson/Keone Kela
  • Fernando Rodney's job is safe, but he hasn't done fantasy owners any favors, allowing six runs on seven hits over his last two appearances.
  • Sean Doolittle could be out at least another month for the Athletics, which may be enough time for Tyler Clippard to prove he deserves to stay in the role even upon the hard-throwing lefty's return.

NL East

Team Closer Next in line
Braves Jason Grilli Jim Johnson/Luis Avilan
Marlins Steve Cishek Mike Dunn/A.J. Ramos
Mets Jeurys Familia Carlos Torres
Nationals Drew Storen Blake Treinen/Matt Thornton
Phillies Jonathan Papelbon Ken Giles
  • Jason Grilli has gotten off to a strong start in the post-Craig Kimbrel era in Atlanta, and has likely afforded himself a longer leash.
  • Jeurys Familia has taken over the Mets' closer's role after Jenrry Mejia got hit with an 80-game ban for testing positive for a performance-enhancing substance. Bobby Parnell, who was limited to one appearance last season after saving 22 games in 2013, could threaten him for the role upon his return. Parnell just began a rehab assignment. 

NL Central

Team Closer Next in line
Brewers Francisco Rodriguez Jonathan Broxton
Cardinals Trevor Rosenthal Jordan Walden
Cubs Hector Rondon Pedro Strop/Jason Motte
Pirates Mark Melancon Tony Watson
Reds Aroldis Chapman Kevin Gregg/Jumbo Diaz
  • Pirates closer Mark Melancon has been throwing with diminished velocity, though manager Clint Hurdle is unconcerned.
  • Aroldis Chapman has been lights out, as usual, throwing more 100-plus mph pitches than all but one player in the game, according to Baseball Savant

NL West

Team Closer Next in line
Diamondbacks Addison Reed Brad Ziegler
Dodgers Joel Peralta J.P. Howell/Chris Hatcher
Giants Santiago Casilla Sergio Romo
Padres Craig Kimbrel Joaquin Benoit
Rockies Adam Ottavino LaTroy Hawkins/Rafael Betancourt
  • The Dodgers haven't locked in on one pitcher yet and appear to be employing a by-committee approach to the ninth inning until Kenley Jansen returns.
  • Adam Ottavino rightfully took over the closer's role in Colorado on Tuesday. He responded by striking out the side in his first save opportunity of the season and has began the 2015 campaign with five scoreless appearances.

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