RADIO
Relief pitchers to monitor for holds or as closer handcuffs for Week 20. Rick Graham analyzes under-the-radar RP as deep league targets or waiver wire adds.
Today and every Tuesday moving forward throughout the 2018 MLB season, we will take a deep dive into some of the lesser-owned relief pitchers on the market that are worth keeping tabs on.
This can be a good tool for those in deeper holds leagues, although any pitcher in a position to make a move on their respective team's closer job will get priority.
Below are my relief pitchers to target for Week 20 of the fantasy baseball season. Let's get to it.
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Under-the-Radar Relievers to Watch - Week 20
Koda Glover, Washington Nationals - 15% owned
After battling shoulder tendinitis for much of the year, Glover finally returned to the mound just over a month ago and impressed in eight games with the Nationals Triple-A club (11.25 K/9, 2.25 BB/9, 1.58 FIP). He was recalled to the big club when interim closer Kelvin Herrera was placed on the DL and so far has looked fine in two outings. Fine enough so that he may be in line for the Nationals next save chance, this after Ryan Madson imploded in spectacular fashion Sunday night and is also reportedly dealing with a back issue. Glover, pegged as the closer of the future last spring, has some experience closing at the MLB level and while his stuff has yet to translate to get tons of swings and misses at the highest level. Despite allowing a walk-off HR to the only batter he faced last night, he still has the most closing experience in that bullpen and there's still enough upside in his arm to make him an intriguing flier for those hunting for saves.
Justin Anderson, Los Angeles Angels - 2% owned.
Previously hyped up to take the Angels closer job and run with it back when Keynan Middleton went down, Anderson struggled mightily with his command, posting a BB/9 rate of 5.71 over the first half of the season. Now, while a small sample size, Anderson has only walked one batter over his previous six innings, allowing three hits and no runs while striking out eight over that stretch. With the Angels out of contention, the team could give him an extended look at save situations and potentially move on from Blake Parker.
Dylan Floro, Los Angeles Dodgers - 1% owned
Since being traded to the Dodgers in early July, Floro has flourished in his 14.2 innings, allowing just five hits, five walks (three came this past Sunday) and four runs while striking out 17. It's a bit surprising considering his career numbers and his journeyman status, but its still a nice breakout for the reliever, who now finds himself working in high leverage situations for the Dodgers. With Kenley Jansen out close to a month, Floro and Scott Alexander are really about the only relief options manager Dave Roberts can trust at the moment.
