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Alex Lange is a fantasy baseball waiver wire pickup for closers and saves. Target Lange as a free agent relief pitcher for saves on the waiver wire.
BALLER MOVE: Add in 14+ Team Leagues
ROSTERED IN: 44% of Leagues
ANALYSIS: After recording 26 saves for the Detroit Tigers in 2023 as the team's primary closer, Alex Lange was expected to be the team's closer heading into 2024. A somewhat rough spring for Lange prompted manager A.J. Hinch to use Jason Foley in the team's first save opportunity of the regular season, however, and it has been Foley's job ever since.
Foley did not give up an earned run over his first 11 appearances, recording seven saves in the process, but has given up four runs over his last four appearances and has struck out just two batters despite recording two additional saves during that span. Deployed three times in four days, Foley gave way to Alex Lange this past Wednesday for a four-out save, the second save of the season for the 28-year-old. Lange's 5.14 ERA over seven spring appearances is a faint memory now, and his 0.73 ERA with a 30.2% K% over 14 appearances are what stand out now.
Alex Lange, 97mph ⛽️ pic.twitter.com/PuTz2PmIBR
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) May 1, 2024
Despite a couple hiccups recently, Foley's body of work this season should provide a little longer leash with the closer role, and perhaps Lange's numbers show that he's the perfect fit for a setup role. However, if Foley has a couple more hiccups, is overused, or succumbs to injury, expect Lange -- and possibly Andrew Chafin -- to be in the mix to take over closing duties.
In the meantime, Lange can help with ERA and K, although his 17.0% BB% hurts his WHIP, and could pick up additional opportunistic saves along the way. He's available in over 50% of Yahoo leagues for managers that want to take a chance on the righty.
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