Mychal Givens (RP, BAL) - Week 26 Waiver Wire Pickups

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ANALYSIS: Baltimore Orioles relief pitcher Mychal Givens has been getting the saves in Baltimore of late, making him a vital piece of a fantasy roster. Since the dealing of Zach Britton and Darren O'Day, Givens has a 3.00 ERA in 18 innings and has saved seven games. He has allowed two home runs in September, though, and has gone without a strikeout in four of his last five outings.

While there are some issues for Givens, his K/9 for August was a solid 10.61, showing that his strikeout woes may disappear. He has walked three batters per nine since the beginning of August, but has walked just one batter in his last six outings.  Givens has also allowed just one hit in his last seven outings (8 1/3 innings) and, while that was a home run against the White Sox, he has just a .152 BABIP.

No matter the issues, or how bad the Orioles are, a closer is a closer and Givens should be owned. Facing the Yankees, Red Sox, and Astros to finish the season is not the best of schedules, but the Orioles will likely only win tight games in that stretch.