An essential aspect of being a true World Series contending team is a strong bullpen. An elite closer and a few solid setup men have almost become a requirement to being a winning team, given how starters are pitching fewer and fewer innings every passing season. As the All-Star break approaches, I decided to break down the top five team bullpens in the MLB, based on team performance throughout the first half of the 2025 season. This list is my opinion and not based on a singular stat such as WAR or ERA; rather, it is a culmination of overall performance and how it relates to the team’s success.
5. Minnesota Twins
The Twins have not been the most dominant team in the MLB (they are currently 43-47 and are third in the AL Central); however, their bullpen has performed well thus far. Minnesota is led by flame-throwing closer Jhoran Duran and a pair of solid relievers in Griffin Jax and Louis Varland. Duran has 13 saves and holds a 1.56 ERA and 2.27 FIP. As for Jax, he has a 4.23 ERA, but a 1.91 FIP and a 1.3 WAR (tied for 5th best amongst qualified RP). Varland currently has a 1.96 ERA, 2.92 FIP, and 0.9 WAR. As a team, the Twins have the 2nd best WAR and FIP in the MLB; however, their team ERA is a disappointing 4.27 (ranks 22nd). Given the team’s overall performance, the Twins may look to sell some of their talented relief pitchers come the trade deadline.
4. Texas Rangers
While the Rangers’ closer situation has been less than ideal so far, the surprising performance of lefty Hoby Milner and a few other solid middle relievers earned the team a spot on this list. Milner has certainly been a standout given his 1.3 WAR and 2.17 FIP. As a team, their ERA and FIP rank 5th and 6th in the MLB, respectively, while their WAR of 3.2 ranks them 7th in the league. The most concerning aspect of the Rangers’ bullpen, outside of their closer situation, is their strikeout numbers. Their 7.98 K/9 ranks 21st in the league, but their 3.19 BB/9 and 0.80 HR/9, which rank 7th and 6th, respectively, have made up for the disappointing strikeout metrics.
3. San Francisco Giants
Relief pitching has been the strongest aspect of the Giants roster so far in 2025. Their bullpen, led by Randy Rodriguez, Erik Miller, and Tyler Rogers, and closer Camilo Doval, has the best team ERA (2.92) in the entire league by a significant margin (second place has a 3.24). Additionally, their BABIP of 2.58 ranks 2nd in the league, and their total saves (25), FIP (3.66), BB/9 (3.15), and HR/9 (0.83) all rank in the top 10 in the league. However, their impressive ERA and HR/9 are primarily due to their home games being played in the most pitcher-friendly ballpark in the league. Their bullpen’s WAR of 2.2 only ranks 13th in the MLB, and their K/9 of 8.22 is even lower at 19th in the league. San Francisco has been very solid in terms of relief pitching and will be a real contender in the postseason if they can bolster other aspects of their roster at the trade deadline.
2. San Diego Padres
The Padres’ elite bullpen is led by a strong trio of Robert Suarez, Jason Adam, and Adrian Morejon, all of whom rank in the top 20 in WAR amongst all qualified relievers in the MLB. As a team, the Padres’ bullpen ranks in the top five in WAR (4.4), FIP (3.47), ERA (3.31), BABIP (2.73), and HR/9 (0.77). The Padres are currently 48-42 and one game behind the Giants for the final Wild Card spot in the National League. The Padres’ relief staff’s success has been a huge advantage thus far in the tough NL West and could be a game changer if they are able to sneak into the postseason.
1. Houston Astros
Overall, the Astros have the best bullpen in the MLB. They have the highest team bullpen WAR and FIP in the league, with an impressive 5.2 and 3.27, respectively, and the second-best ERA, with a 3.24. The Astros have a pair of relievers in the top 10 in WAR amongst qualified relievers in Bryan Abreu and Josh Hader and another two who are in the top 25 in Steven Okert and Bennet Sousa. The Astros have the most complete and balanced bullpen in the MLB, and it has translated to success in the win column. Houston has the second-best record in the AL with 55 wins and 36 losses, comfortably in first in the AL West. The Astros will be a dangerous opponent come playoff time.
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