While holds are even tougher to predict than saves, the players we’ll highlight today include some elite setup men to target off the waiver wire for Week 24 of the fantasy baseball season.

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.

Editor’s Note: to read about even more waiver wire options for relief pitchers, be sure to check out our famous waiver wire pickups list which is a running list that is updated daily.

Fernando Rodney, Chicago Cubs

8 holds, 5.27 ERA, 56.1 innings, 51 strikeouts, 1.44 WHIP

The change in a scenery can do a man good. Enter former closer Fernando Rodney, moving on from Seattle to Wrigleyville, deep in a postseason push with the Chicago Cubs. Once a closer, Rodney finds himself in the seventh inning for the Chicago Cubs and has one hold in his six appearances with his new team. While the sample size is small for Rodney, he has reduced opponent batting averages by 100 points since joining the Cubs (.251 vs. .150). The fastball-changeup pitcher is generating 48% ground balls. While the change of scenery comes with a lot of changes, a staple of familiarity will return to Rodney as his former manager Joe Maddon is leading the Cubs. Rodney found success under Maddon during his tenure in Tampa. While his ERA is elevated, he has produced a 1.59 ERA in his short time with the Cubs. If he can stay around this level of success, the 38-year-old Rodney found a good team to join and will likely be called upon to help bridge winning games to the closer.

Arquimedes Caminero, Pittsburgh Pirates

15 holds, 3.66 ERA, 64.0 innings, 65 strikeouts, 1.22 WHIP

Primarily used in the seventh inning, Arquimedes Caminero is a strong part of the Pittsburgh Pirates bullpen. The power pitcher, with a primary fastball approaching 98 MPH on average, generates ground balls at a great 46.9% rate. Opponents hit .225 against Caminero and its not surprising why. The fastball overpowers batters and he averages just over a strikeout per inning pitched. He could cut down his walks a little but the 15 holds is a clear indicator of him holding his own as he notches holds in the Pirates tight race.

Franklin Morales, Kansas City Royals

8 holds, 2.17 ERA, 58.0 innings, 37 strikeouts, 0.97 WHIP

The Kansas City Royals are the best in the American League and their bullpen is one of their biggest strengths. Reliever Franklin Morales is one of the strong arms that look to pickup the starter as they move the game along to victory. The lefty Morales dominates left-handed batters, holding them to a .194 batting average. In addition, the 29-year-old Morales keeps the ball down. While Morales generates 28.5% fly balls and 20.9% line drives, he keeps the ball down at an impressive 50.6% reach. Aside from being a lefty, another handicap to his effectiveness in fantasy his a pitiful strikeout rate of 5.7 per nine innings. If your fantasy team can handle a dip in strikeouts for effective pitching and holds, Morales will be a player worth picking up because he is on such a successful team.

Jose Alvarez, Los Angeles Angels

4 holds, 3.79 ERA, 59.1 innings, 52 strikeouts, 1.23 WHIP

Reliever Jose Alvarez pitches in the early third of the game for the Los Angeles Angels. The 26-year-old Alvarez holds opponents to a .235 batting average but there is no significant difference between left-handed (.231) and right-handed (.237) batters so there is no reason to expect him to come in for one batter and exit. Alvarez does not strike out a batter per inning but batted balls primarily come on the ground. At a 48.0% ground ball rate, Jose Alvarez has been an effective reliever. He is a quality reliever that is not in contention for the top in holds but he will be important if the Angels intend to get into the postseason.

Aaron Sanchez, Toronto Blue Jays

10 holds, 2.98 ERA, 84.2 innings, 53 strikeouts, 1.24 WHIP

The Toronto Blue Jays are holding onto their slim American League East lead and the bullpen, which was once a weakness, is now a strength. Reliever Aaron Sanchez has been a solid late inning reliever for the Blue Jays. The 23-year-old Sanchez is holding opponents to a .217 batting average and has a great 59.3% ground ball rate. Aaron Sanchez depends on a fastball that approaches 95 MPH on average. Despite an awful strikeout rate per nine innings, Sanchez is a good reliever to have. He has already reached double digit holds and is posting a sub-3.00 ERA He is on a winning team that looks to be on the road to postseason baseball. The Blue Jays can count on Sanchez to bridge the later innings to the closer to add another win to their great season.

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