It is the final few days of fantasy baseball! While holds are even tougher to predict than saves, the players we’ll highlight today include some elite setup men that have proven to be closer candidates to target off the waiver wire for Week 26 and the final week of the fantasy baseball season. Good luck to everyone competing for the championship.
The more likely a team is to win, the more likely a pitcher will be eligible to earn the holds that could be the difference between winning or losing in your fantasy league. Bear in mind, an effective relief pitcher highlighted today could find himself in a closer's role if the everyday closer is unavailable or recently ineffective.
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Adam Ottavino, Colorado Rockies
6 Saves, 4 Holds, 2.52 ERA, 25.0 IP, 30 K, 0.96 WHIP
The season is wrapping up and the Colorado Rockies have long since been eliminated from playoff contention. The Rockies can still finish strong this year and closing out saves, Adam Ottavino will get the call. The 30-year-old Ottavino is pitching well this year. Opponents are hitting just .187 against his 93.7 MPH fastball and 81.6 MPH sweeping slider. Despite finishing the season at home, Ottavino is generating ground balls at a remarkable 62.3% rate. Ottavino could be the difference maker in the final days of a postseason push in any fantasy league. Pick him up if saves are needed.
Sergio Romo, San Francisco Giants
3 Saves, 14 Holds, 2.93 ERA, 27.2 IP, 30 K, 1.12 WHIP
The Giants are looking for any peace of mind out of the bullpen so former closer Sergio Romo is getting another chance. Opponents are hitting .242 against Romo this year. Signature of Romo; the righty relies on his 75.8 MPH slider first with his 85.8 MPH fastball complimenting it. It's an even year so history favors the Giants but they also field a very talented team. They will put every ounce into fighting for an opportunity at the postseason, pick up Romo as each of the last games for the Giants are as crucial to them as they are to your championship-competing fantasy team.
Tony Cingrani, Cincinnati Reds
17 Saves, 8 Holds, 4.13 ERA, 61.0 IP, 47 K, 1.46 WHIP
The Cincinnati Reds are simply looking to find out what they have for next season and Tony Cingrani will look to make a good lasting impression entering the offseason. This year opponents are hitting .234 against Cingrani. Nearly solely relying on a 94.2 MPH fastball, Cingrani has found success at the major league level. The Reds are wrapping up the season against the best team in the league but they do not have anything to compete for. If the Chicago Cubs field a weak lineup in anticipation of their bid for a long-sought championship, pickup Cingrani and hope he has a good end to a lackluster Reds season.
Andrew Bailey, Los Angeles Angels
6 Saves, 5 Holds, 5.48 ERA, 42.2 IP, 40 K, 1.31 WHIP
The Los Angeles Angels continue searching for a positive season with one of the best in the game. The Angels will finish the season against a ravaged slim contender in the Astros so they can put the nail in the coffin. Closer Andrew Bailey can be the hammer to that nail. In 11 games with the Angels, opponents are hitting to a .189 batting average. Bailey provides varying speeds, a 92.1 MPH fastball, 84.4 MPH cutter and 76.8 MPH curveball. He is striking out just under a batter per inning and could wrap up this year with a positive impression to improve his stock for next year as he hopes for another job.
Jim Johnson, Atlanta Braves
18 Saves, 8 Holds, 2.92 ERA, 61.2 IP, 64 K, 1.17 WHIP
The Atlanta Braves have a chance to finish the season strong and as a spoiler to the Wild Card-contending Detroit Tigers. In a season worthy of receiving Comeback Player of the Year votes, Jim Johnson pitched a strong year with opponents hitting .228 against him. With his 93.3 MPH two-seam fastball and 79.1 MPH slider, Johnson generates ground balls 55.3% of the time. In addition to generating ground balls, Johnson has struck out more than a batter per inning. The Braves have seen parts of their future in present day and Johnson will look to increase his value going into free agency in the offseason.
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