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It seems like the season just started, but we're already talking fantasy playoffs in most leagues. That's something we expected with such a short season, but it still seems way too soon for playoffs. One bad week of injuries could have knocked a really good team right out of the playoff picture in some leagues (complaining for a friend...)
Things in the bullpens around the league did seem to settle down a bit after the trade deadline, but there's still plenty to look at and talk about. Fantasy managers prepping for a playoff run need to be as on top of their bullpen as possible, and that's why we're here!
Take a look at our Closer Depth Chart, which is updated daily. Let's jump in and take a look at what's been going on in the bullpens around baseball.
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Bullpen News for Week 8
Toronto Blue Jays
The Jays bullpen has been a committee for most of the season, usually led by Anthony Bass. Bass has struggled lately though, right at the same time that Rafael Dolis has been pitching very well. Dolis saved two games in a row earlier this week and could be making his way to the top of the committee in Buffalo for Toronto. Bass appeared in a six-run game, which is not a spot you'd usually see a team's closer. For now, we'll leave Bass atop the committee, but Dolis is essentially the 1B at worst.
Kansas City Royals
The Royals traded away their closer, Trevor Rosenthal, to the San Diego Padres before the deadline. Based on comments and history, it was assumed that manager Mike Matheny would go with Greg Holland as his new closer, but for the three saves the Royals have had since the trade deadline, we've seen three different relievers. Scott Barlow, Jesse Hahn, and Holland have notched the three saves in what looks to be an all-out committee for now. Nothing in Matheny's history shows that he wants it to continue that way though, so look for him to ride the hot hand and the person that hand is attached to to eventually become the outright closer. Kyle Zimmer has also been solid out of the Royals bullpen lately, so there could be one more contender for the ninth.
Chicago Cubs
Nobody in the Cubs bullpen has the official label of closer, according to manager David Ross, but Jeremy Jeffress has recorded the last four saves for the team and is “probably the guy that’s going to be on the back end for a little bit" so like...Jeremy Jeffress is the Cubs closer. He may not get as many chances to mess up as a team's closer usually gets, but as long as he's pitching well, it's hard to see anyone but Jeffress coming into the ninth inning for the Cubs any time soon.
Los Angeles Angels
The Angels opened the season with Ty Buttrey as their closer, and all of his numbers from previous years showed that he should be a very solid if not maybe even excellent closer. But, it's 2020, so nothing goes as planned. Buttrey had a 28.6 K% in 2018 and a 27.2 K% last year. This season, somehow, that's gone all the way down to 14.9%. Not coincidentally, his ERA this season sits at 5.14 after never posting anything above 4. He's blown three saves and recorded five, so the Angels are making their way into some kind of committee instead of just relying on the new-and-definitely-not-improved version of Buttrey. Felix Pena got the first chance and it didn't go well. Manager Joe Maddon said that Pena and Buttrey would both get chances. Buttrey, despite his season-long struggles, has been decent lately while Pena blew his first chance. It's a committee for now, but it might not be long until Buttrey jumps back on top, as long as he can remember the pitcher he was last season.
Short Relief
- The Mariners settled on Yoshihisa Hirano as their closer after jettisoning much of their bullpen at the trade deadline. Hirano's coming back from an injury though, so he hasn't pitched in back-to-back days yet.
- The Giants bullpen hierarchy is still anyone's guess, but Tony Watson is rocking a 0.75 ERA, so...maybe he should see some more save chances going forward?
- The Diamondbacks bullpen looks like it now features a guy with a near-7 ERA as its closer. Kevin Ginkel has struggled a lot this year, but it seems he's the head of the committee.
Roster Moves of the Week
Adds
Jeremy Jeffress, Chicago Cubs- Jeffress is the closer in Chicago even if his manager won't say so yet. He's worth picking up in most formats, especially with fantasy playoffs approaching.
Rafael Dolis, Toronto Blue Jays- Anthony Bass has been leading the Buffalo Bullpen, but Rafael Dolis looks like he could be taking over. It'll still be a committee, so some shallower waiver wires may have better options, but Dolis should be a decent fantasy reliever going forward.
Drops
Ty Buttrey, Los Angeles Angels- Buttrey may very well hang onto his job as Angels closer, but the Angels aren't winning enough and Buttrey isn't striking guys out enough to be worth a spot in most fantasy bullpens.
Best of the Week
Daniel Hudson, Washington Nationals- 4 IP, 3 SV, 5 K, 4.50 ERA, 1 Blown Save
Hudson wasn't great this week by any means, but he was the only closer to save three games, so he earns a spot in Best of the Week. He blew a save and allowed two runs on two hits and a walk while striking out five.
Rafael Dolis, Toronto Blue Jays- 3 1/3 IP, 2 SV, 7 K, 0.00 ERA, 1 BB
Blue Jays reliever/closer (maybe?) Rafael Dolis had a near-perfect week. He saved two games and struck out seven while allowing just one batter to reach base.
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