Top MLB relief pitchers heating up as All-Star votes loom in Philly.

The 2026 MLB All-Star Game is a little over three weeks away, with players pushing hard to represent their leagues in Philadelphia. Some have battled back from early-season slumps, while others continue to perform at elite levels. As Week 14 unfolds, here is a current look at the top relief pitchers in the league.

1. Mason Miller, San Diego Padres
Miller stands as the standout in relief pitching, leading closers in both WHIP and ERA. He sits near the top in saves, reinforcing his status as a premier late-inning option.

2. Cade Smith, Cleveland Guardians
Smith leads the league in saves and is one of just a few relievers with at least 18 saves while surrendering eight or fewer walks. He appears poised to finish the season with the most saves.

3. Louis Varland, Toronto Blue Jays
Varland has emerged as a compelling story among relievers. Since assuming the closer role, he has been flawless in save opportunities and owns an ERA and WHIP under 0.90. He remains a strong candidate for his first All-Star selection.

4. Jhoan Duran, Philadelphia Phillies
Duran has established himself as one of the game’s premier closers, ranking among the leaders in saves and posting impressive strikeout rates per nine innings.

5. Aroldis Chapman, Boston Red Sox
Chapman is perfect in save opportunities and maintains an ERA and WHIP below 1.00. At 38, he continues to be a dominant late-inning option and will be a highly sought-after reliever at the trade deadline.

6. Jacob Latz, Texas Rangers
Latz has enjoyed an excellent season as Texas’s closer, leading among closers in WHIP and posting a very low batting average against for pitchers with at least 20 innings.

7. Bryan Baker, Tampa Bay Rays
Baker has solidified the Rays’ ninth-inning role, ranking among the leaders in saves. He’s one of three pitchers with at least 18 saves and an ERA under 1.90.

8. Dylan Lee, Atlanta Braves
Lee has been outstanding as a setup man for Atlanta, tied for third in holds and posting the best combined ERA and WHIP among leaders in holds.

9. Paul Sewald, Arizona Diamondbacks
Sewald has been a reliable anchor at the back of Arizona’s bullpen, ranking among the leaders in saves and posting a very low WHIP.

10. Robert Suárez, Atlanta Braves
Suárez has been a key piece of Atlanta’s bullpen, which leads the league in several categories. In his first season with the Braves, he has shown elite performance, including multiple holds and an ERA and WHIP under 0.90.

Notes
– The All-Star push highlights the standout performances across bullpen arms, with several relievers delivering dominant seasons in save opportunities, WHIP control, and ERA.
– The list reflects performance entering Week 14 and showcases both established closers and rising stars shaping late-game outcomes.

End of piece.