The 10 Best Strikeout Relievers in Major League Baseball

Wade Davis, Kansas City Royals

Kansas City's push for the playoffs has been largely built around their outstanding defense and pitching this season. And according to Baseball Reference's Wins Above Replacement, Wade Davis has been the best reliever in baseball this season.

Davis' K% of 38.5% is eighth-best in baseball, and he has a gaudy rWAR of 3.6, thanks to a microscopic ERA of 0.71. His nERD of 1.19 is third-best among the MLB relievers listed here, quite a turnaround from last season where, as a starter, he went 8-11 with a 5.32 ERA in 31 games (24 starts).

While not Kansas City's closer, Davis has done terrific work as a set-up man, and hasn't given up a home run yet this year in 63.1 innings pitched. His fastball has averaged 95.5 miles an hour out of the bullpen this season, three full mph faster than it was as a starter last season. He also throws a cutter and curveball that have allowed him to pile up 94 strikeouts in those 62 innings, while walking 21.

No more starting for you, Wade Davis.