​In this week’s Closer Report, Mason Miller remains at the top of the closer rankings at the All-Star break. Bryan Baker, Louis Varland, and Jacob Latz highlight some of the first half’s biggest closer breakouts. All that and more as we cover the saves landscape around baseball going into the second half.⚾️ Baseball is back! 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.nbc_roto_owencaissie_260710.jpgFantasy baseball second half breakthrough hitters: Owen Caissie, Lawrence Butler, more AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementEric Samulski covers 30 hitters who should be in for a strong second-half of the seasonSamulskiBW.jpg Eric Samulski,Mason Miller – San Diego PadresJhoan Duran – Philadelphia PhilliesCade Smith – Cleveland GuardiansLouis Varland – Toronto Blue JaysJosh Hader – Houston AstrosBryan Baker – Tampa Bay RaysMiller locked down back-to-back saves over the weekend heading into the break, tossing a pair of scoreless innings against the Blue Jays. The 27-year-old right-hander ends the first half with 25 saves while posting a 0.91 ERA, 0.78 WHIP, and 72 strikeouts over 39 2/3 innings. Padres general manager A.J. Preller iterated that the team has no intention of trading Miller at the deadline. Things can always change over the next two weeks, but the Padres would understandably need an incredible offer to move Miller, who has three years left of team control.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementDuran also picked up two saves before the break, giving him 24 with a 1.38 ERA, 0.92 WHIP, and 50 strikeouts over 32 2/3 frames. He’s been nothing short of outstanding for the Phillies in his first full year with the team.Smith was busy before the break, making four appearances this week. He added two saves, giving him an MLB-leading 28. The 27-year-old right-hander is on pace for a near carbon copy of his 2025 season, proving himself as one of the league’s top closers.Varland has been one of this season’s biggest breakouts at the closer position, taking over the ninth-inning role in Toronto. He added a save on Friday against the Padres, giving him 19 with a 1.10 ERA, 0.98 WHIP, and 67 strikeouts over 49 innings.Hader took the loss against the Rangers on Sunday, giving up one run on three hits without recording an out. Still, it’s been an exceptional start for the 32-year-old left-hander, posting a 1.17 ERA, 0.91 WHIP, and 25 strikeouts over 15 1/3 innings while converting 10 saves since his season debut on June 3.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementNo saves for Baker over the final weekend. He’s been another gem through the first half, emerging as one of the top closers in baseball. The 31-year-old right-hander has converted 25 saves for the Rays with a 1.73 ERA over 36 1/3 innings.David B