X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Daily Stats & Leaders
All Pitcher Matchups
Compare Any Players
Player Comparisons
Rookies & Call-Ups
24x7 News and Alerts

Bullpen Waiver Wire Pickups For Week Eight

While holds are even tougher to predict than saves, the players we’ll highlight today include some elite setup men that have proven to be closer candidates to target off the waiver wire for Week 8 of the fantasy baseball season.

The more likely a team is to win, the more likely a pitcher will be eligible to earn the holds that could be the difference between winning or losing in your fantasy league. Bear in mind, an effective relief pitcher highlighted today could find himself in a closer's role if the everyday closer is unavailable or recently ineffective.

Editor’s Note: RotoBaller’s fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups list is updated every single day. Our awesome writers bring you analysis on hot or emerging starting pitchers, and also all other fantasy positions. You can also download our waiver wire iPhone app for free, and easily stay updated.

 

Week 8 Bullpen Waiver Wire Pickups

Matt Bush, Texas Rangers

0 Saves, 2 Holds, 1.17 ERA, 7.2 IP, 7 K, 0.91 WHIP

While an inside pitch can garner some respect, former first-overall pick Matt Bush will let his stuff do the talking as he contributes to the Texas Rangers bullpen. The 30-year old Bush has seen work in the later third of the game since making his major league debut two weeks ago. With closer Shawn Tolleson trying to figure out where it all went wrong, Matt Bush can seize the opportunity to move into more hold opportunities as well as potential saves if closer Sam Dyson struggles. Sporting a fastball at 96.7 MPH and a slider at 91.0 MPH, Bush averages about a strikeout per inning. Opponents are hitting .214 against Bush in his brief work at the major league level.

Sean Doolittle, Oakland Athletics

2 Saves, 6 Holds, 3.26 ERA, 19.1 IP, 23 K, 1.09 WHIP

Closer Ryan Madson has hit a pair of bumps in the road lately against a pair of division rivals in the Texas Rangers and the Seattle Mariners. Former A's closer Sean Doolittle has had his share of bumps on the road back from injury but he could see himself in a few closing opportunities if Madson struggles persist. Doolittle appears to have abandoned his slider due to the shoulder injury that ailed him. With the slider used only 6.8% of the time, Doolittle may not find the success he found in 2014 but his 94.3 MPH fastball is getting the job done. Opponents are hitting .214 against Doolittle.

Joaquin Benoit, Seattle Mariners

0 Saves, 3 Holds, 3.38 ERA, 8.0 IP, 6 K, 1.25 WHIP

Seattle Mariners closer Steve Cishek has developed a reputation for struggling in the ninth inning. Despite a strong April, Cishek has blown three saves in the month of May to the tune of a 4.76 ERA in 10 games. While Benoit was recently activated from the disabled list this month, he is pitching to his career numbers. He is generating 42.9% ground balls, relying on a fastball at 92.8 MPH and a changeup at 83.2 MPH. He has 50 career saves so he is more than capable of finishing off games if Cishek does not improve his numbers in the month of May.

Ross Ohlendorf, Cincinnati Reds

0 Saves, 2 Holds, 4.79 ERA, 20.2 IP, 22 K, 1.02 WHIP

There is no easy way around it, the Cincinnati Reds' bullpen is bad. As of now, current closer Tony Cingrani has more blown saves (4) than saves (3). Despite the elevated ERA, opponents are only hitting .211 against Ohlendorf. Relying primarily on a fastball at 93.9 MPH and a slider at 81.7 MPH, Ohlendorf generates 50.0% fly balls, which is not ideal for the hitter's park in Cincinnati. The bullpen has yet to find a stable presence. The veteran may be the next in line for closer responsibilities if Cingrani struggles again.

Kyle Barraclough, Miami Marlins

0 Saves, 8 Holds, 2.70 ERA, 16.2 IP, 29 K, 1.56 WHIP

The Miami Marlins have a pair of reliable backend relievers in David Phelps and A.J. Ramos. However, reliever Kyle Barraclough should not be overlooked. The 26-year-old righty not only sports a great name; he has the stuff to live up to the name. With a fastball at 95.4 MPH and a slider at 82.4 MPH, Barraclough produced a K/9 of 15.7. Opponents are only hitting .213 against him and he is keeping the ball low. 56.3% of balls put in play are coming on the ground in an already pitcher-friendly Marlins Park. Phelps is probably the first in line should Ramos falter as closer but Barraclough is having a fine 2016 showing to put him in the mix for saves should an opportunity present itself.

 

 

Live Expert Q&A Chats - Every Weekday @ 1 PM and 6 PM EST (DFS)

Fantasy Baseball Chat Room

[iflychat_embed id="c-55" hide_user_list="yes" hide_popup_chat="no" height="400px"]

 

 


Check out RotoBaller's entire fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups and sleepers list, updated daily!




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Daily Stats & Leaders
All Pitcher Matchups
Compare Any Players
Player Comparisons
Rookies & Call-Ups
24x7 News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Ladd McConkey4 hours ago

Has A Strong End To His Rookie Year
Justin Herbert5 hours ago

Has The Worst Game Of His Career On Saturday
Jerami Grant5 hours ago

Still Dealing With Jaw And Neck Soreness
Cameron Johnson6 hours ago

Still Out On Sunday
Andre Drummond6 hours ago

Won't Play On Sunday
D'Angelo Russell7 hours ago

Unavailable Sunday
Malcolm Brogdon7 hours ago

Not Ready To Return On Sunday
Alex Caruso7 hours ago

To Remain Out For 10th Consecutive Game
Ty Jerome7 hours ago

Unlikely To Play Sunday
Josh Richardson7 hours ago

Remains Out Saturday
Robert Williams III7 hours ago

Misses Saturday's Action Due To Illness
Deandre Ayton7 hours ago

Will Not Play Against Heat
Trey Murphy III8 hours ago

Returning To Action Sunday
Dejounte Murray8 hours ago

Questionable To Play Against Celtics
Patrick Williams8 hours ago

Labeled As Probable For Sunday
Kyle Lowry8 hours ago

Out For Fourth Straight Game
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope8 hours ago

Listed As Probable For Sunday
Nico Collins8 hours ago

Big Day For Nico Collins In Wild-Card Win
Houston Texans8 hours ago

Texans D/ST Hits Paydirt Against Bolts
Joe Mixon8 hours ago

Recovers To Help Houston Ice Victory
Jalen Suggs8 hours ago

To Remain Out Sunday
Paolo Banchero8 hours ago

Not Listed On Injury Report Ahead Of Sunday
Joel Embiid9 hours ago

Listed As Questionable For Sunday's Game
Miles McBride9 hours ago

Probable For Sunday
Gary Trent Jr.9 hours ago

Questionable For Sunday's Action
Khris Middleton9 hours ago

Likely To Play Against Knicks
New England Patriots9 hours ago

Patriots Expected To Hire Mike Vrabel As Head Coach
Alexander Wennberg10 hours ago

Unavailable Saturday
Cole Sillinger10 hours ago

Back In Blue Jackets Lineup Saturday
Connor Zary10 hours ago

Out Indefinitely
Ivan Barbashev11 hours ago

On Track To Return Saturday
Ilya Sorokin11 hours ago

Out With An Illness
Patrik Laine11 hours ago

A Game-Time Call On Saturday
Steven Stamkos11 hours ago

Ready To Go Saturday
Hayden Hurst13 hours ago

Kimani Vidal Inactive
John Metchie III13 hours ago

Active On Saturday
Quentin Johnston13 hours ago

Active On Saturday
J.K. Dobbins13 hours ago

Active On Saturday
Zay Flowers13 hours ago

Could Miss Divisional Round If Baltimore Advances
J.K. Dobbins16 hours ago

Expected To Play In Wild-Card Round
Sandy Alcantara19 hours ago

Will Not Be Traded Before Opening Day
Patrick Kane21 hours ago

Dishes Out Three Helpers On Friday
Karel Vejmelka21 hours ago

Snaps Skid On Friday Night
Adrian Kempe21 hours ago

Leads The Way On Friday Night
Cole Caufield21 hours ago

Extends Goal Streak To Five Games
Charlie Lindgren21 hours ago

Exits Early On Friday
Dustin Tokarski21 hours ago

Posts Shutout On Friday
Jeff Hoffman1 day ago

Inks Three-Year Deal With Toronto
Evander Kane1 day ago

Recovering From Knee Surgery
Dylan Samberg1 day ago

Returns To Jets Lineup Friday
Alex Lyon1 day ago

Unavailable Friday
Thatcher Demko1 day ago

Expected To Return To Action Friday
Fabian Zetterlund1 day ago

Active On Friday
Dylan Guenther1 day ago

Ruled Out Indefinitely
Elias Pettersson1 day ago

Activated From Injured Reserve
Quentin Johnston1 day ago

"Good To Go" For Saturday
Jordan Love1 day ago

Malik Willis Off The Injury Report
Jayden Daniels1 day ago

Off The Injury Report, Set For First Playoff Start
DeVonta Smith1 day ago

Off The Injury Report
A.J. Brown2 days ago

Off The Injury Report Prior To Wild-Card Weekend
Amanda Ribas2 days ago

Looks To Get Back In The Win Column
Mackenzie Dern2 days ago

An Underdog At UFC Vegas 101
Zac Gallen2 days ago

Diamondbacks Avoid Arbitration With Zac Gallen
Josh Jung2 days ago

Will Be Full-Go For Spring Training
Santiago Ponzinibbio2 days ago

Set For Co-Main Event
Tampa Bay Buccaneers2 days ago

Antoine Winfield Jr. Will Play On Sunday
Carlston Harris2 days ago

Set For Welterweight Matchup
Pete Alonso2 days ago

No Deal Close Between Pete Alonso And The Mets
Abdul Razak Alhassan2 days ago

Returns To Action At UFC Vegas 101
Cesar Almeida2 days ago

Looks For His Third UFC Win
DeVonta Smith2 days ago

Missing Practice, Still Expected To Play
Isiah Pacheco2 days ago

Returns To Practice On Friday
Jalen Hurts2 days ago

Clears Concussion Protocol, Ready To Go For Sunday
Uros Medic2 days ago

Opens Up UFC Vegas 101 Main Card
Punahele Soriano2 days ago

Remains At Welterweight At UFC Vegas 101
Christian Rodriguez2 days ago

Looks To Start Off 2025 On Right Note At UFC Vegas 101
Austin Bashi2 days ago

Makes UFC Debut At UFC Vegas 101
Roman Kopylov2 days ago

Looks to Extend Winning Streak At UFC Vegas 101
Chris Curtis2 days ago

An Underdog At UFC Vegas 101
Josh Naylor2 days ago

Diamondbacks Avoid Arbitration
Vladimir Guerrero Jr.2 days ago

Blue Jays Avoid Arbitration
Andrew Kittredge2 days ago

Inks One-Year Deal With Baltimore
Robert Thomas2 days ago

Nets Two Goals On Thursday
Framber Valdez2 days ago

Astros Avoid Arbitration
Randy Arozarena2 days ago

Mariners Avoid Arbitration
Jake Knapp3 days ago

Withdraws From Sony Open
Michael Thorbjornsen3 days ago

Withdraws From Sony Open
Luis Arraez3 days ago

Padres Settle On $14 Million Deal
Tarik Skubal3 days ago

Tigers Avoid Arbitration
Dylan Cease3 days ago

And Padres Avoid Arbitration
Logan Gilbert3 days ago

Mariners Avoid Arbitration
Garrett Crochet3 days ago

Boston Discussing Long-Term Deal
Davis Thompson3 days ago

Starts 2025 Season Well
PGA3 days ago

J.T. Poston A High-Upside Play At Sony Open
PGA3 days ago

J.T. Poston Disappoints At The Sentry
Chris Kirk3 days ago

Sputters At The Sentry
Billy Horschel3 days ago

Looks Forward To Sony Open
Brian Harman3 days ago

Gets 2025 Started With A Rough Start
PGA3 days ago

Cameron Davis Finishes Strong At The Sentry
Keegan Bradley3 days ago

Starts 2025 Season Well
Davis Thompson3 days ago

Looking For Consistency At Sony Open
Braxton Garrett4 days ago

To Miss 2025 Season Following Elbow Surgery
Taylor Pendrith4 days ago

Is A Dark-Horse Pick For Sony Open
Eric Cole4 days ago

Looking For Bounce-Back Performance At Sony Open
Sahith Theegala4 days ago

A Big Name To Stay Away From At Sony Open
Nick Dunlap4 days ago

Looks To Bounce Back At Sony Open
Tom Kim4 days ago

Making Season Debut At Sony Open
Hideki Matsuyama4 days ago

Looks To Make History At Waialae
Tanner Scott4 days ago

Mets Meet With Tanner Scott
Justin Verlander4 days ago

Signs One-Year Contract With San Francisco
Brandon Woodruff5 days ago

Hopes To Be Ready By Opening Day
Luke Clanton5 days ago

A Player To Watch At Sony Open
Thomas Detry5 days ago

In Solid Form Ahead Of Sony Open
Russell Henley5 days ago

A Course Horse At Sony Open
Stephan Jaeger5 days ago

A Risky Option At Sony Open
Brent Rooker5 days ago

Signs Five-Year Extension
Nolan Arenado5 days ago

Red Sox Emerge As Strong Candidate To Land Nolan Arenado

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP