RADIO
MLB is cracking down on sticky substances used by pitchers starting next week. If you are a fan of baseball or fantasy baseball, you have heard this topic discussed pretty much nonstop the last couple of weeks. We have seen spin rates decline for pitchers, especially for starting pitchers, which is going to lead to a decrease in strikeouts. That decline in strikeouts means more balls will be put into play, which means that ERA and WHIP ratios will naturally increase as well. That means it is going to become even tougher to stream starting pitchers, especially the initial couple of weeks once the ban goes into play, since we are heading towards the unknown.
That is where relievers come into play. Look, relievers will be impacted by this as well, but likely not as severely as starters, as they simply pitch so many less innings. In the initial weeks once this ban goes into affect, you can opt to play it safe and pick up a reliever or two who you know will give you good ratios and strikeouts, rather than risk it with a back-end starting pitcher who could get shelled if they had been using sticky substances. These pitchers also become more valuable the later in the season we get.
The baseball season is definitely a marathon and not a sprint, but anyone who has ever ran in a race can tell you, the end always becomes a dash toward the finish line. That is exactly what happens in the fantasy baseball season. Right now, you still have time to get back into the race in categories, but the closer we get to the end of the season, the deeper you have to evaluate. If you are competing in the ratio categories but not so much in the wins department, I would advise no longer starting those back-end starting pitchers, but rather using relievers that will help your standing in those categories. I will spend much more time going over this strategy as the season goes on, but just know these elite relievers that just do not provide saves are becoming more and more valuable!
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Changing Bullpens
Arizona Diamondbacks
I’m not sure we can label this a changing bullpen, since the Diamondbacks may never pick up another save again! They have lost 22 consecutive road games and have just five wins in their last 41 games. This bullpen is a tough one to trust as they simply do not get a lot of save chances. Stefan Crichton has four on the year, but he has been used a lot in the seventh and eighth innings as of late.
Joakim Soria does not have a save on the season, but he did get the last opportunity and blew it. There has to be a slight lean towards Soria over Crichton at this point, but both are sporting an ERA over five on a team in a historically bad funk. Keep them on the bench.
Cincinnati Reds
This bullpen is forever changing! With Tejay Antone sidelined due to injury, all the save chances have been going to Lucas Sims and Amir Garrett. Sims has picked up four saves in the past two weeks and now has a team-high seven saves on the season. Garrett has three on the year and picked up one earlier this week.
Sims is a must-roster reliever, but Garrett continues to work his way back from his early season struggles. He should be rostered as well in Roto leagues. Of course, all of this is subject to change when Antone returns.
Detroit Tigers
Michael Fulmer returned from the IL this week and picked up his fifth save of the season. When he was out, we saw Jose Cisnero pick up two saves and Gregory Soto had one. While Soto has a team-high six saves, the Tigers have used him as the secondary option as of late. He is trusted in the late innings, but often the save goes to someone else.
With Fulmer back, Cisnero has returned to his setup role, but he is still part of the late inning picture here. Fulmer is clearly the top option and should be rostered in all Roto formats, followed by Soto and Cisnero.
Kansas City Royals
This bullpen is maddening. In the last 14 days, the Royals have just one save and it went to Scott Barlow. But we have seen Barlow, Greg Holland, Kyle Zimmer, Wade Davis, Josh Staumont and even Ervin Santana pitch in late inning situations as of late. The issue is, in that span, all but two have an ERA over five - Barlow and Zimmer. Barlow would be the top option to roster here, but this is a situation to stay away from outside of deep leagues.
Minnesota Twins
This bullpen is not so much changing as it is alternating between two options. Both Taylor Rogers and Hansel Robles will be mixed and matched in the ninth inning. In the past two weeks, Rogers has two saves, while Robles has just one. But this will be a matchup-dependent situation. Robles would be my pick to lead this team in saves, as he is a righty, but both should be rostered in all Roto formats.
Seattle Mariners
Kendall Graveman is back and remains the best option in this bullpen. While he does not have a save since returning from the IL, he is still their top option. Rafael Montero is also in the late-inning picture, but he does not have a save in June. Drew Steckenrider did pick up a save recently for the Mariners, but he should not be trusted for fantasy purposes yet. Graveman should be rostered in all formats, while Montero is best left for deeper formats. Steckenrider can be picked up in AL only formats.
Texas Rangers
This one is pretty simple. Ian Kennedy is back from the IL, meaning he is back as the Rangers full time closer and should be back to all your starting lineups.
Elite Ratio and Strikeout Relievers
Seth Lugo is back and being used in the late inning high leverage role already. He has pitched 7.2 innings in six games this season pitching to a 1.17 ERA with a 1.27 xFIP, 1.97 SIERA, to go along with a 1.17 WHIP and 40 percent strikeout rate. Not only will he be used for multiple innings at times, but he will be used in save situation when Edwin Diaz is unavailable. He is a great pickup in Roto formats.
Daniel Hudson just continues to thrive in a setup role with the Nationals. He has pitched to a 3.75 ERA in the past 30 days, to go along with a 1.08 WHIP, and a 42 percent strikeout rate. He is also next in line for saves if anything happens to Brad Hand. He should be rostered all but the most shallow leagues.
Ryan Tepera continues to be absolutely elite. In the last 30 days he has pitched to a 0.00 ERA, 0.30 WHIP, and a 39 percent strikeout rate. On the season he has a 1.99 ERA with a 0.66 WHIP and 31 percent strikeout rate. He has been dominant this season, but especially as of late. While he will not get any save chances unless Craig Kimbrel is injured or traded, but he will provide the always useful elite ratios and strikeouts.
Kyle McGowin has been another effective reliever for the Nationals. In the past month, he has pitched to a 0.00 ERA, with a 0.48 WHIP and a 38 percent strikeout rate. If you are searching for a reliever who can provide great ratios and strikeouts for cheap, McGowin is that player.
Giovanny Gallegos has been a great option for the Cardinals all season long. In the last month he has sported a 1.88 ERA, 0.70 WHIP and a 36 percent strikeout rate. While Alex Reyes has been great in the closer role, if he struggles or misses time to injury, which he is no stranger too, Gallegos would be next in line. He is worth rostering for the ratios and strikeouts alone, but being next in line for saves only adds to his fantasy value.
Ranger Suarez has pitched 17.2 innings in the last 30 days, the third most of all relievers in this span. Not only does he give you close to starting pitcher innings, but he has been very effective. He has pitched to a 0.51 WHIP in that span, the fifth lowest among qualified relievers. He has a 1.02 ERA and 21 percent strikeout rate along with two wins as well in that span. He gives you the innings, ratios, and an occasional win. What about that is not useful for fantasy?
All stats current entering Thursday, June 17th.
Make sure to follow me on Twitter, @MichaelFFlorio
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