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Chasing saves can seem maddening this season. Not only are more and more bullpens getting away from having one traditional closer and are embracing having multiple options see save chances. but some bullpens (I'm looking at you Cincinnati and Kansas City) have been nearly impossible to trust. Just when it looks like they are starting to settle in on one option, everything changes.
However, that can also be an advantage for fantasy owners that are in need of saves at this time of the season, as some of these pitchers can be had off of the waiver wire and for cheaper than if they were named the outright closer.
There are also relievers that are not currently getting saves that can help you with great ratios and strikeouts. Plus, with the trade deadline coming up, things are surely going to shift with the closer landscape. Some of these valuable setup men could become closers if a trade is made.
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Changing Bullpens
Baltimore Orioles
The expectation was that Paul Fry would be the closer for the Orioles, but that has not been the case. In the last two weeks he does not have a save, while Cole Sulser and Adam Plutko both have one. Plutko got his this week and it was his first in nearly a year. Fry did pitch the eighth and into the ninth in that game, but he allowed three runs.
Right now, this bullpen is the worst combination for fantasy players: unpredictable with limited opportunities. The Orioles may get a save opportunity or two a week, and we are left without much confidence of who will get the opportunity on a given night. Right now I would rank them: Fry, Sulser, Plutko, but this situation needs to be avoided if at all possible.
Cincinnati Reds
Growing up, I had a friend that always had a completely new hobby that he was super into every time I saw him. Collecting baseball cards, skateboarding, bowling, techno music, sneakers - he went through trends constantly. That is basically this Reds bullpen. Every week I know I need to include them in the changing bullpen section, and every week theirs is a new trend that we hope sticks. We all know it likely won’t.
Both Lucas Sims and Tejay Antone have landed on the IL due to elbow injuries. Amir Garrett now has three saves in the past two weeks and appears to once again be the closer for the Reds, at least while the other two are sidelined. We have seen Brad Brach and Sean Doolittle pitch in set up roles in the last week, which only should add some confidence in trusting Garrett. He has shaken off his early-season struggles and is looking like the pitcher we expected at the start of the year. This will have to be monitored once the other relievers make their way back, but for now, start Garrett.
Detroit Tigers
Michael Fulmer is once again sidelined, now with a back injury. He is the top option here when healthy, but the issue has been he has not been healthy too often as of late. In his absence, Jose Cisnero and Gregory Soto will man the late innings for the Tigers. Soto has been used in the late innings all season, but he is often not saved for the ninth. When Fulmer was out last time, we saw Cisnero as the preferred ninth-inning option. Both are worthy of rostering, but Cisnero is the preferred option until Fulmer returns.
Philadelphia Phillies
Hector Neris has struggled mightily as of late and has now been removed from the closer role in Philly. Manager Joe Girardi said that Jose Alvarado will get the first crack at save chances, but then we saw the Phillies turn to Alvarado in the eighth inning with Archie Bradley picking up a save. Alvarado has filthy stuff, but he is a lefty that can routinely hit triple digits. It is likely that the Phillies use him in high leverage situations rather than saving him for the ninth, especially if a team has multiple lefties coming up.
While Alvarado is the top option here, he is no lock to see all of the save opportunities. They have also shown a reluctance to fully get away from Neris. The top options here are Alvarado, Neris, and Bradley, all of who could see save chances in the coming weeks.
Tampa Bay Rays
In the past two weeks, the Rays have picked up just one save. Diego Castillo is the only pitcher who has a save, but we have seen Pete Fairbanks pitch in the ninth at times as well. The issue is, neither has been that effective as of late. In the past two weeks, Castillo has a 7.36 ERA, while Fairbanks is at 11.57. J.P. Feyereisen has been an effective pitcher and used at times in the late innings. He could see more work if the other two continue to struggle. Jeffrey Springs is a pitcher they trust in the later innings as well, but for now, Castillo and Fairbanks remain the top two options for fantasy.
Non-Closer RP to Add Before Trade Deadline
Seth Lugo has pitched extremely well since he returned from the IL. He has a 2.38 ERA, 1.98 xFIP, a 39 percent strikeout rate to go along with a 1.06 WHIP. He can give you multiple innings at a time and he is next in line for saves with the Mets if anything should happen to Edwin Diaz. He also will get the chances on days Diaz is unavailable.
Paul Sewald/Drew Steckenrider could see save chances in the second half of the season if Seattle ends up trading Kendall Graveman. Graveman has been amazing for the Mariners, but is a free agent at the end of the season. Sewald has pitched to a 1.86 ERA, 3.03 xFIP, with a 1.03 WHIP and a 40 percent strikeout rate. Steckendrider has pitched to a 2.22 ERA, 3.73 xFIP, 0.99 WHIP with a 27 percent strikeout rate. Both have been very effective and could take over the closer role if a move is made. Stash them now for the ratios and strikeouts and they will cost a lot less than if you wait until after a trade is made.
Joely Rodriguez has a 5.91 ERA, which is far from appealing. However, all of his ERA indicators are much lower, including a 3.39 xERA and 2.45 xFIP, with a 1.31 WHIP and 23 percent strikeout rate. He is not a must-roster pitcher by any stretch, but he could walk into the closer role if the Rangers deal Ian Kennedy before the trade deadline.
Kyle Crick could see a larger role if the Pirates elect to trade Richard Rodriguez. Crick has pitched to a 2.57 ERA, 3.99 xERA, 1.05 WHIP and a 22 percent strikeout rate. His ratios alone make him a candidate to add in deeper formats, but knowing he pitches on a team that is rebuilding and one of their stronger trade assets is their closer, he could become a much more valuable fantasy piece in the next month.
Ryan Tepera/Rex Brothers have both pitched great. Tepera has pitched to a 3.35 ERA, 2.88 xERA, 0.82 WHIP with a 28 percent strikeout rate. Brothers has a 2.63 ERA, 3.22 xERA, with a 1.10 WHIP and a 42 percent strikeout rate. Both are worthy of picking up in deeper formats for the ratios and strikeouts alone. They could also see save chances if anything happens to Craig Kimbrel. The Cubs have played well and are in the race this year, but a bunch of their players have expiring contracts and they could elect to deal them. If they are blowing it up, Kimbrel could be dealt.
Giovanny Gallegos has pitched to a 1.93 ERA, 2.56 xERA, 0.64 WHIP and a 32 percent strikeout rate. He gives elite ratios with a great strikeout rate, meaning that he is worthy of rostering in deeper formats. If anything happens to Alex Reyes, whether it be injuries or struggles, his value would skyrocket.
All stats entering Tuesday June, 29th.
Make sure to follow Michael on Twitter, @MichaelFFlorio.
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