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Relief Pitchers

RP Craig Kimbrel, Red Sox (23 sv, 1.23 ERA, 0.90 FIP, 16.0 K/9, 2.2 WAR)

RP Chris Devenski, Astros (3 sv, 2.09 ERA, 2.19 FIP, 12.5 K/9, 1.9 WAR)

RP Brandon Kintzler, Twins (23 sv, 2.35 ERA, 3.63 FIP, 5.6 K/9, 1.2 WAR)

RP: Andrew Miller, Indians (2 sv, 1.49 ERA, 1.62 FIP, 13.8 K/9, 2.3 WAR)

If the NL is trailing in the sixth or seventh inning, then it’s difficult to see how it will log hits against the 7-8-9 order of Miller, Devenski and Kimbrel. As Tom Verducci noted in his feature on the Red Sox closer, Kimbrel doesn’t just strike out a ton of players, he barely allows the opposition to make contact. Devenski has morphed into the late-inning shutdown setup man, much like Miller, who is delivering another outstanding season. Kintzler gets the nod for his reliability. He has appeared in 35 games and logged 23 saves, and barely makes it over White Sox reliever Tommy Kahnle.