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The MLB All-Star game is fast approaching — July 14 in St. Louis — meaning that we’re nearing the midway point of the fantasy season. Even if you have let interest in your team wane, there’s still plenty of time to get the squad back in first place. For advice, check out the 210SA fantasy baseball blog every week. Today, we wrap up our position-by-position look at players with a glance at relief pitchers. Next week, we’ll check out the fantasy All-Stars.

TOP 10 TO START THE SEASON

1. Jonathan Papelbon, Red Sox
2. Joe Nathan, Twins
3. Mariano Rivera, Yankees
4. Francisco Rodriguez, Mets
5. Brad Lidge, Phillies
6. Joakim Soria, Royals
7. Carlos Marmol, Cubs
8. Jonathan Broxton, Dodgers
9. Kerry Wood, Indians
10. Bobby Jenks, White Sox

TOP 10 NOW

1. Jonathan Broxton, Dodgers: Has done absolutely nothing to disappoint fantasy owners who were excited when he was given the closer’s job this season.

2. Heath Bell, Padres: Was drafted in all leagues given his status as Trevor Hoffman’s replacement entering the season, but he’s exceeded all expectations. One thing to note: He proves that even closers on bad teams have value.

3. Joe Nathan, Twins: As steady a performer as you’ll find among closers, Nathan will have no trouble passing 35 saves for the sixth-straight season.

4. Jonathan Papelbon, Red Sox: He posted his 133rd career save July 1 to claim the top spot in that category for the Red Sox.

5. Ryan Franklin, Cardinals: One of the biggest surprises of the season, Franklin looked poised to lose his closer’s job this season to younger pitchers. Instead, he’s already established his career high in saves and proven why most of us don’t draft closers high — except in ultra-competitive leagues, there are always guys available on the waiver wire if you pay attention.

6. David Aardsma, Mariners: Replaced Brandon Morrow earlier this season as the team’s closer. At the time, the Mariners said it was a temporary move, but when a guy performs well, teams have a way of changing their plans. Aardsma has performed well, and he’s still the closer in Seattle.

7. Mariano Rivera, Yankees: He earned his 500th career save on June 28, and even at 39, he’s not slowing down. Rivera has 40 K’s vs. 3 walks.

8. Trevor Hoffman, Brewers: While Hoffman’s replacement in San Diego is doing well, Hoffman hasn’t let down the Brewers. He’s blown only one save and is pitching for a first-place team.

9. Francisco Rodriguez, Mets: He won’t match the 62 saves he had last season with the Angels, but we all knew that entering the season, so there’s no reason to be disappointed. Rodriguez is still one of the game’s best, even if it’s hard to forget him walking Mariano Rivera with the bases loaded recently.

10. Andrew Bailey, A’s: Entering the season, Joey Devine and Brad Ziegler were supposed to share the closer’s job in Oakland. Devine had Tommy John surgery and is out for the season, while Ziegler seems to have lost the job to Bailey.

FELL OUT OF THE TOP 10

Brad Lidge, Phillies: He’s been both hurt and miserable this season, with a 7.57 ERA and 1.94 WHIP. He could make a comeback, but we’ve seen this inconsistency with Lidge before when he pitched for the Astros. At this point, there are safer options.

Joakim Soria, Royals: The reason he fell out of the top 10 isn’t ineffectiveness, but rather a long stint on the DL. He’s back with the team and doing fine.

Carlos Marmol, Cubs: He never won the closer’s job from Kevin Gregg in spring training, and he’s been awful this season (38 K’s, 38 walks).

Kerry Wood, Indians: Right now, he looks like proof that one good season as closer (in his case, 2008 with the Cubs) doesn’t mean you’re perfect for the job.

Bobby Jenks, White Sox: His drop from the top 10 says more about the jobs other closers are doing than about Jenks’ failures.

HIGH FIVE

1. B.J. Upton, Rays OF: It’s looking unlikely that he’ll finish the season as a fantasy star, but he’s now up to seven homers and has 29 steals. Let’s put this in perspective: Last season, he finished with nine homers and 44 steals, so he’s still on pace to pass those totals despite a slow start.

2. Pablo Sandoval, Giants C, 1B, 3B: The super-utilityman is proving that last season wasn’t a fluke. Sandoval, who went 2 for 4 with two runs in a win at St. Louis on June 30, is hitting .338 with 11 homers and 40 RBIs.

3. Gordon Beckham, White Sox 3B, SS: He’s showing why the White Sox promoted him, improving his average from .172 on June 25 to .267 on June 30. Beckham also has two homers in 23 games.

4. Ricky Nolasco, Marlins SP: Time is running out to grab him as a buy-low candidate. He’s won his last three decisions, and he didn’t allow more than two runs in any game in June. His 70 K’s vs. 18 walks also shows his value.

5. Chad Gaudin, Padres P: Not only has he won his last two starts, but he had at least eight strikeouts in each of his last three games.

LOW FIVE

1. Vernon Wells, Blue Jays OF: When you get a day off from work to clear your head, it’s a good thing. When it happens to a pro player, well, not to good. Wells was given a day off July 1.

2. Russell Martin, Dodgers C: Martin was also given the day off, from him on June 30. Martin has only one homer and has been a major disappointment this season.

3. Elijah Dukes, Nationals OF: The team made room for new acquisition Nyjer Morgan by optioning Dukes to Triple-A Syracuse.

4. Jered Weaver, Angels SP: Weaver is having an excellent season, but he was pounded by the Rangers on July 1, giving up seven runs in 5 1/3 innings.

5. Carlos Beltran, Mets OF: He wont’ have surgery, according a recent exam, but he’s still out with an injured right knee.

ON DECK

The starting rosters for the MLB All-Star game will be announced at noon Sunday, July 5 on TBS.

David Kendrick | 210SA contributor