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More and more fantasy baseball leagues are getting deeper and deeper into their playoffs, which unfortunately also means fewer and fewer fantasy managers still have all that hope that ran rampant in the spring. But still, those who are still alive in their leagues are alive in their leagues, and every little thing matters!
This week, we finally saw the guy who leads the league in blown saves lose his job. We saw a guy who we thought might be hurt and out for a while come back to pitch (poorly). We also saw another closer who'd been struggling all year finally lose his job, too. Oh, and the 106 mph strikeout.
Be sure to also keep an eye on our Fantasy Baseball Closer Depth Charts for saves, holds, and bullpens. They will be updated daily or sometimes even more often throughout the 2024 baseball season.
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Weekend Quick Hit Closer Updates
-Liam Hendriks suffered a slight setback in his rehab and was unable to pitch on back-to-back days. His goal is still to pitch at the big league level this season.
-Luke Weaver got the first save in the post-Clay Holmes time frame for the Yankees. It was the first of his career, and he should be considered at least the slight favorite going forward.
-Robert Suarez has been struggling, and even before that there was already talk about keeping him fresh for the playoffs. Tanner Scott could see some save chances coming up.
-Kenley Jansen is dealing with a lat issue and won't pitch until it is resolved. Chris Martin, Justin Slaten, and Chris Winckowski will form the closer committee for Boston in the meantime.
-Calvin Faucher landed on the injured list with a shoulder impingement. John McMillon and Jesus Tinoco seem like the likely committee, but Anthony Bender could see some ninth inning work as well.
-Victor Vodnik was activated by the Rockies, but Tyler Kinley still got the first save chance on Sunday.
Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Pickups for Saves
Aroldis Chapman, Pittsburgh Pirates (Rostered in 40% of Leagues)
Dennis Santana, Pittsburgh Pirates (Rostered in 3% of Leagues)
Late last week, the Pirates removed David Bednar from the closer role. Bednar is having the worst season of his career by far (6.06 ERA after three straight years in the mid-to-low twos). He was still 23-for-29 in save chances, which isn't awful, but his removal was a long time coming.
In his place, the Pirates will be mixing and matching mostly between lefty Aroldis Chapman and righty Dennis Santana. Each guy earned a save this week, with the other guy earning a hold in those games. Both are strong holds league additions right now who will also have value in saves only.
Dennis Santana with the best K "strut" of all-time pic.twitter.com/46xS1tK30g
— Platinum Ke’Bryan (@PlatinumKey13) August 24, 2024
Luke Weaver, New York Yankees (Rostered in 16% of Leagues)
Tommy Kahnle, New York Yankees (Rostered in 5% of Leagues)
Jake Cousins, New York Yankees (Rostered in 2% of Leagues)
Clay Holmes leads the league in blown saves with 11. No one else has more than eight. The 11th one for Holmes came in literal grand fashion, as a Wyatt Langford grand slam knocked him out of the closer's role. His 3.27 ERA/2.91 FIP shows that he hasn't been bad overall, just when it counts.
In his place, manager Aaron Boone has announced that he will "get creative" during save situations. Holmes could still be part of it, but Weaver, Kahnle, and Cousins figure to be part of the plan as well. Starter Luis Gil could quickly become the best option if he moves to the bullpen as well.
Clay Holmes 🥶🥶🥶🔒🤣🤣🤣 pic.twitter.com/cz4y32mTul
— 🇨🇦Aidan❤️💔 (@CavansBiggio) September 4, 2024
More Bullpen and Closer News
Los Angeles Dodgers
The Dodgers bullpen looks like it might be getting hot and working itself out right at the perfect time. Michael Kopech has 14 scoreless appearances in 15 chances as a Dodger, and Evan Phillips has put together eight scoreless outings in his last nine.
The L.A. closer role is pretty open, which seems to be manager Dave Roberts' preference, but Kopech and Phillips are likely the best bets.
Michael Kopech, 103MPH ⛽️ pic.twitter.com/BcMU2SajWV
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) August 17, 2024
Short Relief - Other Bullpen News
-Two pitchers in baseball have thrown at least 50 innings without allowing a home run, and they both pitch for the Marlins: Calvin Faucher and Declan Cronin.
-Raisel Iglesias saved his 30th game this week and extended his scoreless innings streak to 23 1/3.
-Andres Munoz seems to have escaped a serious injury, as elbow soreness kept him out of a game but he was out playing catch the next day.
-Jorge Lopez ended up on the IL this week, leaving Porter Hodge to presumably handle the closer duties on his own for the Cubs.
-Ben Joyce got a strikeout on a 106 mph pitch in the perfect spot. It was incredible.
-Lucas Erceg missed some time after taking a comebacker off his hand, but no IL stint was necessary.
-Our league leader in saves is still Ryan Helsley, who is up to 42. Emmanuel Clase remains on his heels with 41, and Kyle Finnegan has the third most with 34.
-Holds leaders are Bryan Abreu with 34, Andrew Kittredge with 32, and Yennier Cano with 31.
-Emmanuel Clase allowed a run this week. It was the first one he's allowed since July 7 and it caused his ERA to skyrocket to ... 0.70.
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