Best thing about Detroit Tigers' closers? Kyle Finnegan, Will Vest put team first

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MINNEAPOLIS — Since the July 31 trade deadline, Detroit Tigers relievers Kyle Finnegan and Will Vest have been an elite tandem at closer, combining for a 1.26 ERA with two walks and 19 strikeouts across 14⅓ innings.
They've converted six saves: four for Finnegan, two for Vest.
And they don't care when they pitch.
"Not a lot of egos in here," Vest said.
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"It is nice to have selfless guys who are willing to do whatever it takes for the bigger group," manager A.J. Hinch said. "The fact that we have a group of players who are all-in has been our calling card for certainly the last 162-plus games, but it's also a signature characteristic of this team."
The closer label is important to some relievers, as the title signifies they'll almost always pitch in the ninth inning in save situations.
But since Finnegan and Vest are willing to pitch at any moment, the Tigers have two closers – and two is better than one.
"I'm just looking to answer the phone when my name is called," Finnegan said, soon after the Tigers acquired him from the Washington Nationals, "whether that's the fifth or the ninth, it doesn't really matter to me. I'm just trying to help the team win."
Both Finnegan and Vest are helping the Tigers win games.
The duo was busy in the Tigers' win over the Minnesota Twins on Saturday, Aug. 16 – Vest entered with two outs in the seventh inning and threw 1⅓ scoreless innings to get the game to the ninth, when Finnegan came on for a scoreless frame and the save.
Since July 31, Finnegan hasn't allowed an earned run, with one walk and 10 strikeouts across 7⅔ innings in seven games, with four saves in four chances; Vest has a 2.70 ERA with one walk and nine strikeouts across 6⅔ innings in seven games, with two saves in three chances.
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"Skip has always done that, where he is going to put us in favorable matchups," Vest said, "not necessarily an inning, per se. It's more of what matchup is better, which is good for us."
But it's not just about matchups.
It's also about keeping both arms fresh.
"I talk about getting the first hitter right a lot, and I'm not saying we always get it right, but I try to put the guys in a position where their first hitter is a good matchup," Hinch said. "We have two capable guys who can get everybody in the league out, so I don't have to always be that strategic about it, as much as I have to let the game play out how it's playing out."
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In early July, the Tigers and Nationals clashed in a three-game series at Nationals Park.
At the time, Finnegan was still working as the Nationals' closer, a role he held for most of his six-year career. His 90 saves in 2023-25 rank third in the big leagues, trailing only Emmanuel Clase (115 with the Cleveland Guardians) and Josh Hader (95 with the San Diego Padres and Houston Astros).
On July 2, Vest predicted to his teammates that the Tigers would trade for Finnegan.
"He came out, and I was like, 'Y'all, get a good look at our future teammate,'" Vest said. "I was kind of throwing that out there. It's been great having him. He's a great dude. Obviously, he's got a lot of experiencing closing ballgames."
On July 31, the Tigers acquired Finnegan, and Vest supported the trade.
"I was pumped," Vest said. "You have to have a good bullpen to win in October. We made a lot of pitching additions, which I think is going to be good for us down the stretch and then into October. We're going to lean on him a lot going down the stretch."
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The two relievers share more than just the closer role.
Both grew up in Texas, their high schools separated by 50 miles with Houston in the middle. Finnegan, 33, went to Kingwood High School and Texas State University, while Vest, 30, attended Ridge Point High School and Stephen F. Austin University.
They never faced each other because of their age gap, but they have plenty of mutual friends.
"We've had a lot in common," Finnegan said.
In 2025, Vest has a 2.55 ERA with a 7.4% walk rate and a 27.9% strikeout rate across 53 innings in 50 games, with 18 saves in 23 chances, while Finnegan has a 3.66 ERA with a 7.9% walk rate and a 22.2% strikeout rate across 46⅔ innings in 47 games, with 24 saves in 30 chances.
The Tigers' bullpen has been shaky.
But the Finnegan-Vest tandem should provide a steady foundation in the postseason, no matter the inning.
Neither cares who gets the save — and that's why they thrive when the game is on the line.
"It's been fun to bounce ideas off each other and be there to lean on each other," Finnegan said. "I think we're going to be picking each other up a lot as the season goes along. To have a guy that is dependable like that with really good stuff is huge. It gives A.J. multiple options."
Contact Evan Petzold at [e-mail] or follow him @EvanPetzold.
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This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Tigers closers Kyle Finnegan, Will Vest put team first