Hiram Moreno
The task of a CL in the Major Leagues is not a simple one, as they must deal with a lot of pressure in each of their appearances every day, which is why becoming the MLB saves leader is not an easy feat.
Five top pitchers are currently leading this statistic, and JefeBet will break down each one’s chances of earning this distinction at the end of the season.
Favorites to Be MLB Saves Leader in 2022
Edwin Diaz (Odds 20/1)
Edwin Díaz came to the New York Mets from the Seattle Mariners with a great reputation, but, for several seasons, the Puerto Rican pitcher failed to live up to expectations. However, in 2022 things have been different for him.
Diaz has saved a total of 21 games this season and July has been exceptional for him, as he has not allowed a run in nine appearances. Besides, he has allowed only one since May 24, which puts him in a good position to continue climbing this table, although he’s still a long way from the top.
Jordan Romano (Odds 20/1)
The Toronto Blue Jays’ closer has had his work cut out for him this season, and his 21 saves are tied for the fourth most in MLB with Edwin Diaz.
Similarly, Romano had a fantastic month of July: he has not allowed a single run, and he hasn’t given up any bases on balls in seven appearances this month. With the team’s current upward trajectory, he will surely have a lot more work to do in the coming months.
Kenley Jansen (Odds 15/1)
After suffering several injuries and even heart problems, Kenley Jansen eventually left the Dodgers to join the Atlanta Braves, where he proves that he continues to be a reliable arm for the late innings of games.
Jansen has 22 saves this 2022 season, but his recent performances have not been his best, allowing runs in two of the last four, though he would still end up recording a pair of saves in that stretch.
He will have to improve his performance if he is to have any chance of catching the two current leaders, who have a five-game lead over him.
Josh Hader (Odds 4/1)
Josh Hader has long been recognized as the best closer in all of Major League Baseball, although this 2022 the pitcher proved he is indeed human by having performances to forget. Two of these happened in July: one against the Twins (2 hits allowed, 3 earned runs allowed, 1 base on balls and no walks) and another against the Giants (5 hits allowed, 6 earned runs allowed in 0.1 innings).
This brings his ERA to a sky-high 4.36, but the fact that the Milwaukee Brewers play such close games makes Hader always has a chance to add saves to his record of 27 this season, and beyond those bad outings, he continues to look solid, so he could take the top spot on the list at any time.
Taylor Rogers (Odds 5/1)
Taylor Rogers is the current leader in saves in the Major Leagues with a total of 28, trailing Josh Hader by one momentarily. This is primarily because Rogers has totaled a save in each of his last five appearances, although he allowed three runs in the process.
However, he will have to keep up this pace if he does not want to be overtaken by Hader in the future, as everything seems to indicate that only he could take the crown away from him once the season ends.
