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We're another week closer to the playoffs so fantasy and real life teams are starting to freak out just a bit. Five games back in July is still very much "in it" but those same five games back in September sure feels like being on the outside looking in. A few division races seem like they're already done, but the Wild Card race should still keep things interesting for the rest of this final month.
Fantasy teams have even less time and with playoffs already starting in some leagues, every last stat can be the difference between playing one more week and packing things up to digitally go home. We had a struggling perennial All-Star look more like himself this week, a committee guy turn into the full on closer, and a high upside middling production closer drop to an earlier inning. We'll check in on all of that and more!
Be sure to also keep an eye on our RotoBaller Fantasy Baseball Closers and Saves Bullpen Depth Charts. They're updated daily, or sometimes even more often in this wild 2022 baseball season.
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San Diego Padres - Bullpen and Closers News
The Padres worked through having a committee pretty quickly, with manager Bob Melvin making the announcement that Nick Martinez was his preferred ninth inning option. He also mentioned that he would try to get Josh Hader back on track whenever possible. On Wednesday this week, Martinez was unavailable so Hader came in for a save situation. He picked up the save, preserving the one-run lead and ideally building his confidence.
For now, Martinez is still the guy in San Diego, but it's no secret that they'll want to get Hader's confidence up some more before the playoffs. If anyone dropped Hader in your league, this would be the time to pick him up, but in the meantime, Martinez is still worth rostering and starting in all formats.
Risers: Nick Martinez (quickly), Josh Hader (slowly)
Fallers: Luis Garcia
New York Yankees - Bullpen and Closers News
The Yankees bullpen has been quite the roller coaster ride in the second half of this season, with the possible Injury of the Season™ occurring this week to Aroldis Chapman: He was placed on the IL with an infected tattoo. In better news, Clay Holmes returned from his own IL trip and should see more and more save chances as he ramps back up to full strength.
Wandy Peralta and Jonathan Loaisiga figure to mix in a bit as the Yankees won't want to overwork Holmes, but it likely won't be long until Holmes is the only reliever on the Yankees worth rostering in standard leagues.
Risers: Clay Holmes
Fallers: Aroldis Chapman
Short Relief - Other Bullpen News
-Paul Sewald seems to be back in a traditional closer role in Seattle, with Erik Swanson and Andres Munoz serving as his setup guys.
-Tanner Scott has been seen in some seventh innings lately, but it's unclear who would get the ninth in those games since save situations haven't come up. With Don Mattingly managing, it could be a backup catcher or utility infielder, so we won't speculate (it's probably Dylan Floro or Steven Okert based on matchups).
-A.J. Puk is the new leader of the Oakland bullpen committee now that Zach Jackson has been placed on the IL.
-It's still a committee for the Cubs even though it looked like maybe Brandon Hughes was running away with it. Rowan Wick nabbed a save this week, but Hughes is probably still the better bet.
-Matt Barnes saved his fourth game of the season this week and came in to bail out Garrett Whitlock. Whitlock's role isn't in jeopardy, but Barnes pitching well at this point is likely a bit frustrating for Red Sox fans and previous fantasy managers.
-The Rays bullpen. That's it, that's the news blurb.
-Jimmy Herget has the last two saves in the Angels bullpen, so sure, why not? He's the new leader of that committee, ahead of Jose Quijada.
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