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While holds are even tougher to predict than saves, the players we’ll highlight today include some elite setup men.
The more likely an MLB team is to win, the more likely these pitchers will be eligible to earn the holds that could be the difference between winning or losing in your fantasy league.
Based on current ownership percentages, all of these relief pitchers are probably still available on your league’s waiver wire as of May 23rd, 2015.
Week 8 Holds League Waiver Wire Adds
Blaine Boyer, Minnesota Twins
7 holds, 2.49 ERA, 21.2 innings, 9 strikeouts, 1.20 WHIP
Boyer is having a decent season so far, keeping his ERA and WHIP down to the level you like from a middle reliever. The one knock on Boyer is the extremely low K-rate, but he does make up for it with solid ground ball numbers. The Twins are winning ballgames currently, and Boyer is seeing enough innings to make an impact in holds leagues.
Xavier Cedeno, Tampa Bay Rays
4 holds, 1.64 ERA, 11.0 innings, 12 strikeouts, 1.18 WHIP
Cedeno is typically a one-batter lefty specialist, but all it takes is 0.1 IP to earn a hold. He has 9 K/9, and he hasn’t given up a run in May. Much like Boyer, Cedeno benefits from being on a team that has had a lead fairly often lately, so he’s getting opportunities for holds. He’s a nice option for a very low price in any format.
Tony Sipp, Houston Astros
6 holds, 0.53 ERA, 17.0 innings, 18 strikeouts, 0.71 WHIP
Sipp has been outstanding for the Astros in 2015, and nigh untouchable out of the bullpen. His 9.53 K/9 is outstanding for any pitcher. He’s not a specialist and almost always gives you at least an inning. If Pat Neshek wasn’t pitching so well, I’d say Sipp would be a candidate for the setup role. As things stand, he’s still one of the best seventh inning guys in the game.
Fernando Salas, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
5 holds, 3.60 ERA, 15.0 innings, 12 strikeouts, 0.93 WHIP
Salas has been serviceable all season. After a somewhat rocky April, he hasn’t yet given up a run in May. He has an average K-rate and simply isn’t going to be anything more than average overall. However, his recent scoreless outing streak is exactly the kind of performance you’re looking for in a holds league. I don’t see him going anywhere, and he’ll get his holds as the Angels begin to win more games.
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