Jose Alvarado (RP, TB) - Week 9 Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues

OWNED IN: 16% of leagues

ANALYSIS: Tampa Bay Rays relief pitcher Jose Alvarado has had a strong start to the 2018 season, including a 2.95 ERA and 12 hits allowed in 21 1/3 innings, and should be in line for saves after Alex Colome was traded to the Mariners. Alvarado has allowed a run in two of his last three appearances, but those three runs are the only three that he has allowed this month.

A cause for concern with those looking at Alvarado is that he has walked four batters in 7 1/3 innings this month, allowing three hits as well. He does have seven strikeouts and four holds in May, but his 62.5% strand rate is not good for a high leverage relief pitcher.

Either Chaz Roe or Sergio Romo will likely push Alvarado for the closer's role, but, with Romo's role as a reliever that starts and Roe being second in line for saves, it looks like Alvarado is the man to own in Tampa Bay. He only has one save this season, and had three in his minor league career, so you may have to expect some learning curve for Alvarado in the closing role.