Get this: just two weeks ago, the Pittsburgh Pirates snagged Luke Weaver from the Mets, probably thinking they’d finally solved their season-long closer nightmare. Nope. Turns out, the real solution was already rocking it right under their noses, and he’s been absolutely lights-out. Left-hander Mason Montgomery has snagged all three of the Pirates’ saves since Weaver arrived, while Weaver’s gotten precisely zero. What a curveball, right? This dude is emerging as the real deal, and it’s something baseball fans need to talk about.
Pirates’ Unstoppable Arm
Mason Montgomery’s recent run is nothing short of incredible. The dude’s last 22 appearances? A ridiculous 0.86 ERA, a microscopic 0.59 WHIP, and a mind-blowing 17.6 K/9. Yes, you read that right, *17.6 strikeouts per nine innings*! He’s been that dominant all year, evidenced by his 14.5 K/9 overall. Remember back in June when Gregory Soto started losing his grip on the closer role? Montgomery hit a small snag too, his ERA bumping up to 4.94, taking him off the radar. But even during that “rough patch,” his FIP was a sparkling 2.96, screaming he was better than his surface numbers. The Pirates know what they have now: a reliever who could legitimately be a top five guy for the rest of the season. At just 43 percent rostered in fantasy leagues, he’s criminally under-owned, which is wild for these numbers.
Dodgers’ Bullpen Drama Heats Up
But wait, there’s more bullpen drama heating up out in LA, and it’s a classic soap opera. Tanner Scott has straight-up seized control of the Dodgers’ ninth inning, and let’s be real, the guy’s been on a mission to prove everyone wrong. After being a big free agent closer flop just last year, Scott has bounced back with a stellar 2.24 ERA, a tight 0.90 WHIP, and an 11.0 K/9. He’s been absolutely legit! Just when we thought that situation was settled, here comes the Edwin Diaz curveball. Manager Dave Roberts is saying Diaz, coming back from a neck issue, will start in a lower-leverage role. But Roberts’ mind may have “opened a crack” for a full closer return if performance merits it. The catch? Diaz has been “terrible this year,” whether he’s been on or off the IL. We all want Scott to stick, especially with so little of the 2026 calendar left, but with Roberts, you’re always subject to his whims. It’s a huge question mark hanging over that bullpen.
What’s Next for the Diamondbacks and Beyond
So what’s the deal for the rest of the year? For the Pirates, Montgomery is *the* guy to watch. He’s pitching like a legit top-five closer, and if he keeps this up, their bullpen problem isn’t just solved, it’s terrifyingly good. Over in LA, it’s a tightrope walk. Scott deserves that ninth inning, but with Diaz lurking and Roberts’ unpredictable moves, that situation could get spicy right down to the wire. As for the Diamondbacks, Brandyn Garcia, Justin Martinez, and Kevin Ginkel are still listed in the mix, but no one’s really broken out. It’s a wild, unpredictable time for bullpens across the league, and every save opportunity means everything.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
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