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With some leagues already starting the playoffs and others about to, saves and holds are getting more and more critical to fantasy success each week. Roto league managers will want a few more to move up or to keep their top spot, while head-to-head managers will want to ensure that they have more than their opponent. Closers and Saves Report is here to help!
One of the first half's best closers has been removed from his role thanks to an awful second half. The same thing looks like it's happening to another closer, but that one is a little more expected. Another bullpen seems like it has settled into defined roles, and some injuries hit key parts of some bullpens too.
Be sure to keep an eye on our RotoBaller Closers and Saves Bullpen Depth Charts. They're updated daily, or sometimes even more often in this wild 2021 baseball season. With that being said, here are the closers, saves, and bullpen waiver wire pickups to consider for Week 22 - August 30 through September 5.
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Bullpen News For The Week
Boston Red Sox
Matt Barnes was outstanding in the first half of this season, posting a 2.61 ERA and 63:11 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 38 innings. The second half has been an entirely different story though, as he's pitched 10 1/3 innings of 8.71 ERA ball along with a 13:5 K:BB ratio. August has been particularly rough, as shown by his 16.88 ERA for the month. Despite the struggles, Barnes was still operating as the closer in Boston for a while, but after his latest poor outing, manager Alex Cora "suggested" that Barnes may not get the next save chance. Hansel Robles, Garrett Whitlock, and Garrett Richards were mentioned by name, but eighth inning guy Adam Ottavino figures to get some ninth inning work as well. It's a situation to monitor, as any of those guys would be worth rostering if they're going to start earning saves. It's a wait and see for now, though.
Risers: Adam Ottavino, Garrett Whitlock, Hansel Robles, Garrett Richards
Fallers: Matt Barnes
Colorado Rockies
The Rockies may also be in the process of replacing their closer. Daniel Bard has been the ninth inning guy all season in Colorado, but after he blew his eighth save in a game this week, manager Bud Black said he and the coaching staff would discuss making some changes in the bullpen. There's no clear favorite to replace Bard, but Carlos Estevez and Jhoulys Chacin figure to get first dibs at the next save opportunity for the Rockies. Estevez would be the preferred add here, as he gets more strikeouts than Chacin and may have a slight edge for saves going forward.
Risers: Carlos Estevez, Jhoulys Chacin
Fallers: Daniel Bard
Seattle Mariners
The Mariners traded away Kendall Graveman and acquired Diego Castillo. Most people assumed Castillo would be the closer in Seattle right away. But you know what happens when you assume? Diego Castillo goes on the injured list. With Castillo out, Paul Sewald has essentially taken over the closer's role for the Mariners. It looked like he was working his way to doing that even when Castillo was healthy, but it's that much more obvious now. It's still not all his inning outright, so it seems like Drew Steckenrider might still mix in for a chance here or there, but Sewald is the one you want on your roster out of this bullpen.
Risers: Paul Sewald
Fallers: Diego Castillo
Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pirates were finally in a save situation this week, their first since they traded Richard Rodriguez. The chance and the save went to David Bednar, with Chris Stratton working the eighth. The next day, in a non-save but still close game situation, the two switched innings. Later in the week, Bednar had a planned day off, so Stratton earned a save. Bednar is still the favorite, but it's likely a committee with those two taking turns.
Risers: David Bednar, Chris Stratton
Short Relief
-The Reds got Tejay Antone back this week. Five pitches later, he ended up back on the injured list with an elbow issue and now he's set to undergo his second Tommy John surgery. Mychal Givens remains the one to roster from Cincinnati.
-Scott Barlow is the guy in Kansas City now, especially with Josh Staumont now on the injured list due to an undisclosed reason.
-Zack Britton (elbow) was placed on the injured list this week, leaving the Yankees with Chad Green and Jonathan Loaisiga as the two arms that will set up for closer Aroldis Chapman.
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