In a league where late-inning dominance can make or break a team, these are the relief pitchers who stood out last week with electric performances that left hitters baffled and fans buzzing. Whether it’s a closer slamming the door shut or a setup man bridging the gap and holding the line, these arms delivered when it mattered. We’re spotlighting the hottest relief pitchers in Major League Baseball over the past seven days — the guys who turned pressure into performance and owned the mound.
Aroldis Chapman, Boston Red Sox
Week’s Line: 0.00 ERA, 0.00 WHIP, 6 K, 18.00 K9, 3 S/H
The Cuban Missile was missile’ing last week, striking out six and hitting 100 MPH on over 30% of his pitches. He’s Boston’s best reliever, by far.
Emmanuel Clase, Cleveland Guardians
Week’s Line: 0.00 ERA, 1.75 WHIP, 3 K, 6.75 K9, 4 S/H
Clase got knocked around a little bit, but who cares? He shut the door four times this week, and isn’t that the point of a closer? His cutter still may be the best pitch in all of baseball.
Carlos Estevez, Kansas City Royals
Week’s Line: 3.00 ERA, 0.33 WHIP, 0 K, 0.00 K9, 3 S/H
I mean, zero strikeouts? Really? It’s whatever, I guess. Like Clase, he did his job this week with three saves. But buddy was certainly lacking in the swing-and-miss department.
Orion Kerkering, Philadelphia Phillies
Week’s Line: 0.00 ERA, 0.67 WHIP, 3 K, 9.00 K9, 3 S/H
Phiily’s best reliever with Alvarado serving time, Orion has recently positioned himself to be the featured guy at the back end of ball games.
Michael Kopech, Los Angeles Dodgers
Week’s Line: 0.00 ERA, 1.12 WHIP, 3 K, 10.11 K9, 3 S/H
One of my all-time favorite fastballs, Kopech returned from the IL last week and was immediately inserted into high-leverage situations. Skill? Last guy standing? Does it matter?
Felix Bautista, Baltimore Orioles
Week’s Line: 0.00 ERA, 0.00 WHIP, 5 K, 15.00 K9, 2 S/H
Not. One. Baserunner. All week. I think it’s safe to say Bautista is settling into his rhythm in one of the more underrated bullpens in the bigs.
Tyler Rogers, San Francisco Giants
Week’s Line: 0.00 ERA, 0.67 WHIP, 2 K, 6.00 K9, 2 S/H
Rogers isn’t sexy, and his a relic of years gone by with his sidearm, submarine delivery. It certainly doesn’t rack up strikeouts, but it’s super effective. He’s been one of the most reliable relief arms in the game for years now.
Phil Maton, St. Louis Cardinals
Week’s Line: 0.00 ERA, 0.33 WHIP, 5 K, 15.00 K9, 2 S/H
Phil Maton has been around for a while, but it’s finally clicked for him in 2025. The strikeouts have always been a thing, but so has the inflated ERA and WHIP. Not this season, and not this week.
Gregory Soto, Baltimore Orioles
Week’s Line: 0.00 ERA, 0.86 WHIP, 7 K, 27.00 K9, 2 S/H
Soto has been phenomenal as of late, surrendering only one earned run all month. He’s also only given up four hits and two walks during that span. And he struck out nearly every batter he faced last week.
Randy Rodriguez, San Francisco Giants
Week’s Line: 0.00 ERA, 0.75 WHIP, 5 K, 11.25 K9, 2 S/H
I’m starting to consider Randy Rodriguez in the conversation for best reliever in baseball. The guy is basically untouchable, and the Giants have finally moved him from the bridge. Smart choice, because the Stuff+ (120) is off-the-charts good.
