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10 Most Reliable MLB Bullpen Arms So Far in 2014

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By @Will_Gellman

Ranking The 10 Most Reliable Bullpen Arms In MLB So Far In 2014

Craig Kimbrel Braves
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The MLB season is slowly starting to wind down. With a little over a month left in the regular season, many bullpen arms have been crucial to their team's success to this point. Ten guys in particular have been as reliable as any pitcher in baseball, whether they are starting or relieving. In this case, though, let's take a look at the 10 most reliable bullpen arms of the year.

10. Aroldis Chapman

Aroldis Chapman
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10. Aroldis Chapman

Aroldis Chapman
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Cincinnati Reds closer Aroldis Chapman has been lights out this year as usual. Despite his 0-3 record, he has notched 26 saves on the year in limited innings. He has an ERA of 2.75 and has a ridiculous K/9 ratio of 17.39. Had he been able to stay healthy and his ERA been a tad lower, he could have made No. 1 on the list but he comes in at No. 10.

9. Sean Doolittle

Sean Doolittle
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9. Sean Doolittle

Sean Doolittle
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Oakland Athletics closer Sean Doolittle is enjoying a solid season in his own right in 2014. His 1-3 record is unimpressive, but he has made up for it with his strikeouts, low walk rate and modest ERA. He has a K/9 of 12.91, a BB/9 of just 0.67 and an ERA of 2.35. The A's will certainly need Doolittle down the stretch if they hope to go all the way this year.

8. Mark Melancon

Mark Melancon
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8. Mark Melancon

Mark Melancon
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Mark Melancon has been lights out this year since taking over as the closer for the Pirates. He has converted 22 save opportunities already despite not being a closer the whole season. He has a record of 2-3 with an ERA of 2.24. His strikeout rate isn't overly impressive (K/9 of 8.60), but he more than gets the job done on the mound.

7. Fernando Rodney

Fernando Rodney
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7. Fernando Rodney

Fernando Rodney
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Fernando Rodney seems to be improving the older he gets. The Mariners closer has been nothing short of fantastic this season. His record isn't great at 1-5, but everything else is superb for the 37-year-old reliever. He is tied for third in the Majors with 36 saves to go along with a 2.28 ERA and a 10.34 K/9. Rodney is a big reason why the Mariners are still in playoff contention.

6. Jonathan Papelbon

Jonathan Papelbon
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6. Jonathan Papelbon

Jonathan Papelbon
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Jonathan Papelbon has been as dominant as ever in 2014. The Phillies closer has saved 30 games despite the team he pitches for only having 56 wins. He may not be striking out as many guys as he once did with just an 8.43 K/9, but he is still as effective. He has a 2-2 record with a miniscule 1.55 ERA. The only thing that prevents him from being ranked higher is the team he's on.

5. Greg Holland

Greg Holland
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5. Greg Holland

Greg Holland
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One half of an amazing bullpen duo in Kansas City, closer Greg Holland has been sensational in 2014. Despite his 1-2 record, he leads the Majors in saves with 39. Holland also has a 1.82 ERA and a 12.77 K/9. He is one of many reasons why the Royals are leading their division as of this writing.

4. Koji Uehara

Koji Uehara
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4. Koji Uehara

Koji Uehara
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If the Red Sox were a better team, Koji Uehara would probably be closer to if not No. 1 on this list. Unfortunately for him, they are one of the worst teams in baseball this year with just 56 wins, limiting his production quite a bit. Still, he has 26 saves on the year, a 5-3 record, an 11.05 K/9 and a 1.53 ERA. He has picked up right where he left on in 2013, a season that few closers have ever topped.

3. Pat Neshek

Pat Neshek
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3. Pat Neshek

Pat Neshek
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Pat Neshek does not close games for the Cardinals, but what he does do is more than good enough. To put it simply, he does not allow runners to score. He single-handedly has won six games with a perfect 6-0 record, has a 9.79 K/9, 1.01 BB/9 and a 0.84 ERA. Neshek has had a career year in 2014 for St. Louis.

2. Craig Kimbrel

Craig Kimbrel
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2. Craig Kimbrel

Craig Kimbrel
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For years now, Braves closer Craig Kimbrel has proven why he is one of, if not the best closer in the game. This season has been no different. He is second in the Majors with 37 saves on the year despite the team owning a record of just six games over .500. He may be 0-3, but he has an ERA of 1.80 and a superb K/9 of 14.76. Kimbrel is one of the best in the business.

1. Wade Davis

Wade Davis
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1. Wade Davis

Wade Davis
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The second piece of the one-two punch in the Royals' bullpen, Wade Davis is having a season for the ages. Despite not being a closer, it doesn't diminish what he has accomplished in the slightest bit. First of all, Davis is 6-2 with a filthy 0.81 ERA in 55.1 IP. He also has a 13.83 K/9. The most incredible stat though, Davis has a HR/9 stat of 0.00. In other words, he has not allowed a single home run in over 55 innings this year! He's on fire.

Will Gellman is a New England Patriots writer for www.RantSports.com.  Follow him on Twitter, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.

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