We're in the stretch run in fantasy leagues! By the end of the month, head-to-head formats will be entering playoffs and rotisserie leagues will be making the turn for home. This is always an odd time of the year as the contending bullpens become bloated with post-trade deadline talent, while non-contending teams are often patching together a bullpen on a day-by-day basis. Occasionally we're gifted a diamond in the rough, one player that rises from the ashes to give fantasy players an unexpected return on investment. As it stands right now, that player might just be in Minnesota.
Around The League:
-Since taking over the closing role at the trade deadline, Alex Colome has been on a tear racking up 5 saves without allowing an earned run with a 58% ground ball rate. Colome's strikeout rate has fallen sharply, particularly because his SwStr% is the lowest since 2017. Despite that, he's managing contact extremely well and keeps the ball on the ground. With a solid stretch run, he may entice the Twins to take a chance on him again next year.
-Another player making a comeback recently is Daniel Bard, who has a 17:7 strikeout-to-walk rate over 15 appearances since June 28th. During that stretch, he has saved 8 games with a 3.14 ERA, which may not seem impressive, but when you consider before that point he had an ERA nearly 1.5 runs higher, it's a marked improvement.
-After a rough start to his career in Philadelphia (runs in 2 straight outings), Ian Kennedy has saved three straight. Granted, they haven't been without excitement - allowing a pair of baserunners in each of his last two and a solo homerun in the other.
-While the cracks in the foundation suggested a collapse, watching Alex Reyes crumble over the last three weeks has been difficult for those who enjoy an underdog story. After rising through the Cardinals' farm system and enduring injury after injury, Reyes finally seemed like he found his niche as the team's closer. Unfortunately, since taking his first loss against the Cubs on May 23rd, Reyes has lost 4 more games with a 33:22 strikeout-to-walk rate and a 4.08 ERA.
-Between Craig Kimbrel and Liam Hendriks, the White Sox should have the most lethal duo in the 8th and 9th innings in major league baseball. Unfortunately, both players have taken their lumps recently, with Hendriks giving up 4 runs in the 9th inning against the Yankees in the Field of Dreams game before eventually getting bailed out when Zack Britton blew his 2nd game out of his last 3 opportunities. Britton has been serving as the Yankees closer because Aroldis Chapman landed on the injured list a week ago with elbow inflammation. Given the struggles of Britton, it's not unreasonable to think Jonathan Loiasiga could see an opportunity in the near future. As for Chapman, the team is taking it day-by-day. It's probably too early to drop him in single season leagues, but if he suffers any sort of setback, he'll be dispendable.
-Mychal Givens seemed like the leader of the committee in Cincinatti after getting a pair of saves over the last week until Heath Hembree got another chance on Friday. Hembree made things interesting and nearly blew it, so his hold on future saves chance seems shaky, at best. Givens has a walk problem, but at this point in the year, saves are saves and even a handful couple prove to be a difference maker in fantasy leagues.
-Kyle Finnegan has saved three games for the Nationals since becoming the team's closer and although he took the loss in a tied game on Thursday, he seems like he's probably the best arm to own moving forward. Finnegan is extremely good at limiting hard contact, but he's not a big strikeout pitcher. It works for him, but does leave him a little exposed since his walk rate his worse than average.
-The Braves are in the thick of the playoff race and their closer is on the verge of collapse. Will Smith blew his 4th save of the season on Wednesday against the Reds, his second blown save over the last week. The Braves did bring AJ Minter back from Triple-A. Minter used to be viewed as the closer-of-the-future, so he's a name to watch, but the best speculative add is probably Luke Jackson, who is currently serving as the team's set-up man.
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We're in the stretch run in fantasy leagues! By the end of the month, head-to-head formats will be entering playoffs and rotisserie leagues will be making the turn for home. This is always an odd time of the year as the contending bullpens become bloated with post-trade deadline talent, while non-contending teams are often patching together a bullpen on a day-by-day basis. Occasionally we're gifted a diamond in the rough, one player that rises from the ashes to give fantasy players an unexpected return on investment. As it stands right now, that player might just be in Minnesota.
Around The League:
-Since taking over the closing role at the trade deadline, Alex Colome has been on a tear racking up 5 saves without allowing an earned run with a 58% ground ball rate. Colome's strikeout rate has fallen sharply, particularly because his SwStr% is the lowest since 2017. Despite that, he's managing contact extremely well and keeps the ball on the ground. With a solid stretch run, he may entice the Twins to take a chance on him again next year.
-Another player making a comeback recently is Daniel Bard, who has a 17:7 strikeout-to-walk rate over 15 appearances since June 28th. During that stretch, he has saved 8 games with a 3.14 ERA, which may not seem impressive, but when you consider before that point he had an ERA nearly 1.5 runs higher, it's a marked improvement.
-After a rough start to his career in Philadelphia (runs in 2 straight outings), Ian Kennedy has saved three straight. Granted, they haven't been without excitement - allowing a pair of baserunners in each of his last two and a solo homerun in the other.
-While the cracks in the foundation suggested a collapse, watching Alex Reyes crumble over the last three weeks has been difficult for those who enjoy an underdog story. After rising through the Cardinals' farm system and enduring injury after injury, Reyes finally seemed like he found his niche as the team's closer. Unfortunately, since taking his first loss against the Cubs on May 23rd, Reyes has lost 4 more games with a 33:22 strikeout-to-walk rate and a 4.08 ERA.
-Between Craig Kimbrel and Liam Hendriks, the White Sox should have the most lethal duo in the 8th and 9th innings in major league baseball. Unfortunately, both players have taken their lumps recently, with Hendriks giving up 4 runs in the 9th inning against the Yankees in the Field of Dreams game before eventually getting bailed out when Zack Britton blew his 2nd game out of his last 3 opportunities. Britton has been serving as the Yankees closer because Aroldis Chapman landed on the injured list a week ago with elbow inflammation. Given the struggles of Britton, it's not unreasonable to think Jonathan Loiasiga could see an opportunity in the near future. As for Chapman, the team is taking it day-by-day. It's probably too early to drop him in single season leagues, but if he suffers any sort of setback, he'll be dispendable.
-Mychal Givens seemed like the leader of the committee in Cincinatti after getting a pair of saves over the last week until Heath Hembree got another chance on Friday. Hembree made things interesting and nearly blew it, so his hold on future saves chance seems shaky, at best. Givens has a walk problem, but at this point in the year, saves are saves and even a handful couple prove to be a difference maker in fantasy leagues.
-Kyle Finnegan has saved three games for the Nationals since becoming the team's closer and although he took the loss in a tied game on Thursday, he seems like he's probably the best arm to own moving forward. Finnegan is extremely good at limiting hard contact, but he's not a big strikeout pitcher. It works for him, but does leave him a little exposed since his walk rate his worse than average.
-The Braves are in the thick of the playoff race and their closer is on the verge of collapse. Will Smith blew his 4th save of the season on Wednesday against the Reds, his second blown save over the last week. The Braves did bring AJ Minter back from Triple-A. Minter used to be viewed as the closer-of-the-future, so he's a name to watch, but the best speculative add is probably Luke Jackson, who is currently serving as the team's set-up man.
Closer and Handcuff Ranking:
