Houston beat Boston to extend its hot streak, sitting at 67-52 with a tight grip on the first-division lead in the AL West as September looms. With a postseason berth in sight, every bullpen decision becomes a fantasy lever, especially when late-inning roles are unsettled.

Josh Hader’s shoulder discomfort created immediate closer-adjacent intrigue. Enyel De Los Santos and Bennett Sousa filled the ninth on Monday, signaling a potential committee unless Hader returns swiftly. Talks of adding Ryan Pressly—Houston’s World Series-winning closer from 2022—have fans buzzing, adding an external option to the mix as Houston weighs relief help.

Hader carries 28 saves on a 2.05 ERA through 48 appearances, a foundation for any playoff push. If he misses time, De Los Santos and Sousa become frontrunners for saves, with closer duties potentially shifting week to week. The Houston bullpen may also absorb outside reinforcements, and the press around Pressly could influence internal strategy down the stretch.

For fantasy managers, the key is monitoring Hader’s status, the De Los Santos–Sousa dynamic, and any late-season bullpen acquisitions. A healthy Hader remains elite, but uncertainty over closers in Houston could redefine saves upside and speculative holds as October approaches.