Fantasy Baseball Closer Report: Mason Miller tops Opening Day rankings, Daniel Palencia rises following WBC

Welcome back to the Fantasy Baseball Closer Report. This first 2026 edition will feature my season-opening closer rankings. All year long, we'll be breaking down the last week in saves for every team and highlighting some relievers on the rise and potential stash candidates for saves.

Let's get started! ⚾️ Coming soon: MLB returns to NBC and Peacock in 2026 ! In addition to becoming the exclusive home of Sunday Night Baseball, NBC Sports will broadcast MLB Sunday Leadoff, “Opening Day” and Labor Day primetime games, the first round of the MLB Draft, the entire Wild Card round of the postseason, and much more.

2026 Fantasy Baseball Top 300: Aaron Judge at the top, Daulton Varsho moves up Nathan Eovaldi, Chandler Simpson, and Kevin McGonigle make gains in the newly updated rankings. Matthew Pouliot , 2026 Fantasy Baseball Closer Rankings ▶ Tier 1 Mason Miller - San Diego Padres Edwin Díaz - Los Angeles Dodgers Cade Smith - Cleveland Guardians Andrés Muñoz - Seattle Mariners Jhoan Duran - Philadelphia Phillies Miller comes in as the number one reliever to start the season. With the departure of Robert Suarez , manager Craig Stammen made it clear early this spring that Miller would be assuming the closer role.

The 27-year-old right-hander carries over a 21 1/3-inning scoreless streak from last season, striking out 42 batters to just nine walks and four hits across his last 20 regular-season appearances. He put his talents on display in the World Baseball Classic, striking out ten batters over four scoreless innings for the United States. Elite talent, track record, and now he's bringing the trumpets to Los Angeles for the defending champion Dodgers.