In a thrilling comeback, the Atlanta Braves surged past the Tampa Bay Rays, clinching a 5-4 victory thanks to Michael Harris II's dramatic two-run homer in the ninth inning. This win marked the Braves' first road triumph of the season, ending an 0-8 start on the road, tying the franchise record for the worst away start set in 1980. Sean Murphy was instrumental, smacking two homers, including a pivotal solo shot that contributed to the Braves' four homers in the final three innings. The Braves initially trailed 3-1 before Harris, following Nick Allen's leadoff double, delivered the go-ahead blast off Cole Sulser, who suffered the loss.

The game saw a stellar pitching performance from the Rays' Drew Rasmussen, who struck out seven and allowed just four hits over five scoreless innings. However, the game slipped away from them due to costly base running errors, including three outs by Jose Caballero. The Rays' Junior Caminero and Jonathan Aranda both homered, with Aranda's shot off Raisel Iglesias fueling a late rally that fell short as Christopher Morel flied out to end the game.

The latest closer report highlights some key developments in the MLB's bullpen landscape. David Bednar's struggles led the Pittsburgh Pirates to option him to the minors, creating a vacancy in the closer role. Meanwhile, Mason Miller has impressively earned the top closer spot following his strong debut for the Oakland Athletics, striking out batters and securing saves against the Mariners and Cubs. Emmanuel Clase of the Cleveland Guardians faced early challenges, while Devin Williams of the New York Yankees managed to hold on for his first save despite shaky outings. Josh Hader made a successful comeback for the Houston Astros, securing saves after a rocky start.

In the second tier, Ryan Helsley has stood out for the St. Louis Cardinals with multiple scoreless outings. Edwin Díaz has also performed well for the New York Mets, making a seamless transition into the closer role. The Atlanta Braves’ Raisel Iglesias is still searching for his first save, having faced difficulties, but his potential remains high. The rankings highlight various closer situations, including the Texas Rangers opting for Luke Jackson, who has shown resilience and effectiveness in his appearances.

In the latest fantasy baseball analysis, the focus is on identifying the best closers for 2025 drafts. With a shallow elite pool, timing your first pick becomes crucial, as top-tier closers are likely to go early. Emmanuel Clase leads the pack despite concerns about his cost, while Raisel Iglesias stands out as a reliable option due to his impressive track record. Other notable names include Andres Munoz, whose strikeout potential makes him an enticing choice, and Kenley Jansen, who has regained form after a rocky season. Watch out for potential bargains like David Bednar, who may rebound from a disappointing year. The analysis highlights both closers to target and avoid based on their Average Draft Position (ADP), encouraging a strategic approach to securing saves without derailing overall roster strength.

As fantasy baseball drafts approach, the conversation around closer selections remains contentious. While saves can be a puntable category, they are also readily available on waivers throughout the season. This analysis categorizes potential opening-day closers by average draft position, providing insight into when and how to draft these relievers.

The top tier of closers includes elite talents like Emmanuel Clase and Josh Hader, who possess not only job security but also the skill set to thrive. However, their draft positions might deter some from taking a closer over impactful hitters in earlier rounds. In contrast, the second tier features solid options like Edwin Díaz but still poses the dilemma of sacrificing potential star hitters.

As we move further down the draft board, potential closers can be found in the third tier, where pitchers like Félix Bautista and Jhoan Durán could emerge as valuable assets. The final tiers present various options, but they come with significant risk, often leaving drafters with a choice between safety and the thrill of finding a diamond in the rough. This year, the discussion on how to approach drafting closers remains as vital as ever.