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We're almost there, folks. Fantasy teams are deep in their playoffs (some leagues are already done!) and real teams are starting to plan for the real playoffs. We had two teams clinch their spot in the postseason this week, and several others are almost there with them.
This week, we saw a little switch in a committee and we also got some confirmation from another bullpen's committee. The guy with the fifth-most saves in baseball history is suddenly looking for a new job, and a guy who has been pitching all year finally allowed his first home run.
All that and more in this week's report! Be sure to also keep an eye on our Fantasy Baseball Closer Depth Charts for saves, holds, and bullpens. They will be updated daily or sometimes even more often throughout the 2024 baseball season.
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Weekend Quick Hit Closer Updates
-A.J. Puk earned a save this weekend and looks like he may be the head of the committee in Arizona now.
-Yennier Cano and Seranthony Dominguez look like they'll share closer duties for the Orioles for now.
-Seth Halvorsen earned the first save of his career this weekend for the Rockies. It looks like he could lead the Colorado committee but Victor Vodnik and Angel Chivilli will still be around.
-Robert Suarez and Tanner Scott will likely share save chances in San Diego as the Padres try to limit some of Suarez's innings heading into the playoffs.
-Ryan Helsley has entered a save chance 25 times at Busch Stadium this season. He's saved the game all 25 times.
-Hunter Bigge got the first save of his career this weekend and could become part of the Rays committee.
Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Pickups for Saves
Edwin Uceta, Tampa Bay Rays (Rostered in 21% of Leagues)
Since Pete Fairbanks got injured, the Rays have done what the Rays do and have gone with a committee approach to their ninth inning. For a while, Manuel Rodriguez was the leader of that committee, but it now seems like Edwin Uceta will be playing that part, although the role won't be all his.
Uceta returned from his two-game suspension and earned his third save of the season this week. He's put up multi-inning saves in two of his past three appearances and has struck out 11 and walked just one in his 5 2/3 innings of work this month. Rodriguez and Garrett Cleavinger will certainly remain involved though.
Edwin Uceta, Disgusting 88mph Changeup. 🤮 pic.twitter.com/UnLy91QuXn
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) August 10, 2024
Jesus Tinoco, Miami Marlins (Rostered in 2% of Leagues)
Jose Quijada, Los Angeles Angels (Rostered in 1% of Leagues)
Both of these guys were on the recommended list last week, and their usage this week only confirmed them as the heads of their respective committees. Now, neither team is likely to win all that often as the season wraps up, but blind squirrel, nut, and so on.
In the event they have a late lead to hold onto, Tinoco for the Marlins and Quijada for the Angels are the most likely candidates to be on the mound for a save chance, and that gives them at least some kind of fantasy value. Both are available in almost every league right now, too.
Updated Jesús Tinoco stats as a Marlin since being claimed off waivers:
9.0 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 11 K pic.twitter.com/ypYXsdXjR3
— Fish On First (@FishOnFirst) August 18, 2024
More Bullpen and Closer News
New York Yankees
The Yankees punched their ticket to the playoffs with a win on Wednesday of this week, clinching a spot in the postseason once again. Ian Hamilton was the man on the mound for the extra inning save, and it was his first one of the season.
Luke Weaver remains the highest-leverage guy in the Bronx, as he pitched 1 2/3 innings and earned the win for that same game. Meanwhile, Clay Holmes suffered his 13th blown save of the season earlier in the contest. The Yankees will probably maintain the committee approach for the playoffs.
Luke Weaver comes in and does what Luke Weaver does pic.twitter.com/rUgvBvFbK1
— Talkin' Yanks (@TalkinYanks) September 19, 2024
Baltimore Orioles
Craig Kimbrel was hit with a DFA by the Orioles this week. He was amazing in the first half of the season, earning the title of "All-Star snub" from many people around baseball. In the second half, though? He made 18 appearances without earning a save, tossing 17 innings with 20 strikeouts but 15 walks and a 2.17 WHIP.
He ended up with a 2.80 ERA in the first half of the season compared to a 10.59 ERA after the break. Kimbrel is fifth all-time in baseball history in saves, and he will receive Hall of Fame votes when eligible, but this wasn't the way he thought he'd go out.
Craig Kimbrel's 3Ks in the 9th. pic.twitter.com/MLatPNjWn8
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) June 27, 2024
Short Relief - Other Bullpen News
-Declan Cronin allowed his first home run of the season this week. He's pitched 67 innings and allowed just the one homer, good for a 0.13 HR/9.
-The only remaining pitcher with 50 or more innings pitched and no home runs allowed is Declan Cronin's teammate, Calvin Faucher.
-Jorge Lopez is back in the Cubs bullpen after a stint on the injured list, but Porter Hodge seems to have taken the closer's role for himself.
-Will Vest earned a save for the suddenly playoff-contending Tigers. Jason Foley is still the committee leader, but Vest and Tyler Holton will see leverage innings as well.
-Mason Miller collected his 27th save this week, setting a new franchise record for saves by a rookie pitcher.
-David Bednar's struggles continued this week, as he suffered his seventh blown save and his eighth loss of the year.
-Tanner Scott earned a save this week and could see a few more chances down the stretch as the Padres try to limit Robert Suarez's workload.
-Justin Anderson is the White Sox closer, but if you've made it this far, you know better than to roster a White Sox reliever this year.
-The saves leaderboard is topped by Emmanuel Clase with 46. Ryan Helsley is one behind with 45. It's a race between these two for the saves lead, as Kyle Finnegan is a distant third with 38.
-Bryan Abreu remains in the lead for holds with 36. He's followed by Andrew Kittredge at 34, then David Robertson and Hunter Gaddis at 33 apiece.
-Emmanuel Clase ERA check: 0.64. Even if you bring the innings requirement down to 11 innings, Clase still has the lowest ERA in baseball with his 70 1/3 innings.
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