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The 2026 MLB season is through seven weeks. While numerous players are off to hot starts, the Atlanta Braves have proven to be the best team in the league. There is a lot of baseball left, and player statistics and team performances will see a lot of movement. As the league enters week eight, here are the top ten relief pitcher rankings in MLB.
MORE: MLB first base power rankings entering week 8
Miller continues to be MLB’s top relief pitcher. Entering the week, the Padres closer has 38 strikeouts in 18.2 innings. He’s leading MLB in saves.
Sep 28, 2025; Cumberland, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Braves pitcher Raisel Iglesias (26) pitches the ball against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the ninth inning at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Godfree-Imagn Images
The veteran has yet to surrender a run. The Atlanta closer is having an elite start to the season. As the Braves compete for the division, Raisel Iglesias remains a reliable option to save games.
The Red Sox are trying to dig themselves out of the AL East cellar. A poor start to the season has ranked them last in the AL East. The bright spot is having a veteran closer who continues to save ball games.
O’Brien has run away with the St. Louis closer role. Entering the week, he is tied for second in saves. By the end of the season, O’Brien will be among MLB’s leaders in saved ball games.
After a slow start, Philadelphia is starting to heat up. Jhoan Duran has been electric saving ball games. Entering the week, Duran is perfect in save opportunities.
May 12, 2026; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays relief pitcher Louis Varland (77) throws a pitch against the Tampa Bay Rays during the ninth inning at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images
Varland has taken over the closer role in Toronto. He’s been electric and is perfect in five save opportunities. He has over a strikeout per inning pitched.
Sabrowski has been the league’s best setup man. Entering the week, he leads the league in holds. He’s been the perfect bridge to closer Cade Smith.
Morillo’s fastball is electric. His fastball has reached triple digits in each inning he’s pitched this season. By the end of the season, he will be Arizona’s closer.
Apr 26, 2026; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Baltimore Orioles pitcher Rico Garcia (50) looks on during the eighth inning in an MLB game against the Boston Red Sox at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Kucin Jr.-Imagn Images
Garcia has been one of Baltimore’s best late-inning relievers. Entering the week, he’s surrendered one run in 18 innings. He has over a strikeout per inning pitched.
The veteran has done well as Tampa Bay’s closer. Entering the week, he’s saved 10 of 12 games and has a 0.89 WHIP. If he continues to close out ball games, he will finish in the top five in saves by the end of the season.
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MORE: MLB first base power rankings entering week 8
1. Mason Miller, San Diego Padres
Miller continues to be MLB’s top relief pitcher. Entering the week, the Padres closer has 38 strikeouts in 18.2 innings. He’s leading MLB in saves.
2. Raisel Iglesias, Atlanta Braves
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Sep 28, 2025; Cumberland, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Braves pitcher Raisel Iglesias (26) pitches the ball against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the ninth inning at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Godfree-Imagn Images
The veteran has yet to surrender a run. The Atlanta closer is having an elite start to the season. As the Braves compete for the division, Raisel Iglesias remains a reliable option to save games.
3. Aroldis Chapman, Boston Red Sox
The Red Sox are trying to dig themselves out of the AL East cellar. A poor start to the season has ranked them last in the AL East. The bright spot is having a veteran closer who continues to save ball games.
4. Riley O’Brien, St. Louis Cardinals
O’Brien has run away with the St. Louis closer role. Entering the week, he is tied for second in saves. By the end of the season, O’Brien will be among MLB’s leaders in saved ball games.
5. Jhoan Duran, Philadelphia Phillies
After a slow start, Philadelphia is starting to heat up. Jhoan Duran has been electric saving ball games. Entering the week, Duran is perfect in save opportunities.
6. Louis Varland, Toronto Blue Jays
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May 12, 2026; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays relief pitcher Louis Varland (77) throws a pitch against the Tampa Bay Rays during the ninth inning at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images
Varland has taken over the closer role in Toronto. He’s been electric and is perfect in five save opportunities. He has over a strikeout per inning pitched.
7. Erik Sabrowski, Cleveland Guardians
Sabrowski has been the league’s best setup man. Entering the week, he leads the league in holds. He’s been the perfect bridge to closer Cade Smith.
8. Juan Morillo, Arizona Diamondbacks
Morillo’s fastball is electric. His fastball has reached triple digits in each inning he’s pitched this season. By the end of the season, he will be Arizona’s closer.
9. Rico Garcia, Baltimore Orioles
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Apr 26, 2026; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Baltimore Orioles pitcher Rico Garcia (50) looks on during the eighth inning in an MLB game against the Boston Red Sox at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Kucin Jr.-Imagn Images
Garcia has been one of Baltimore’s best late-inning relievers. Entering the week, he’s surrendered one run in 18 innings. He has over a strikeout per inning pitched.
10. Bryan Baker, Tampa Bay Rays
The veteran has done well as Tampa Bay’s closer. Entering the week, he’s saved 10 of 12 games and has a 0.89 WHIP. If he continues to close out ball games, he will finish in the top five in saves by the end of the season.
— Enjoy free coverage of the top news & trending stories on The Big Lead —
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