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Here we are, internet friends: the last weekend of the regular season (plus a doubleheader on Monday). We've made it through the year and most leagues are already done and figuring out who never ended up paying dues. Wait, how much was it for first place again?
This week was an interesting and exciting one, as several teams clinched a playoff spot and the picture for next week's first round got clearer and clearer. We saw a new franchise record set, an exciting rookie get an inning of relief work, and unfortunately, a couple of IL moves ending some seasons early.
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
-Troy Taylor earned his first big league save this weekend, finishing off a combined shutout of the A's. Andres Munoz hasn't pitched since Tuesday so the Mariners might have just tied a bow on his season early.
-Spencer Bivens for the Giants and Justin Wrobleski earned the first saves of their careers this weekend as well.
-Ryan Helsley set a Cardinals record with his 49th save and is the current league leader. Only Emmanuel Clase (47) has over 40 saves this year.
-Edwin Uceta earned his fifth save this weekend and has been the best reliever in the Rays bullpen this season in his 41 2/3 innings of work.
-Jason Foley had a tough stretch mid-summer, but has been excellent and a large part of the Tigers surge into the playoffs. He's on a roll of 13 saves in 14 chances and should be the stopper throughout the Detroit playoff run.
Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Pickups for Saves
A.J. Puk, Arizona Diamondbacks (Rostered in 24% of Leagues)
A.J. Puk has been an absolute monster since being traded to Arizona. In 26 innings, he's allowed just one earned run while striking out 43 and walking just four. It's an elite run in which he's earned seven holds and two saves.
The Diamondbacks have been using a committee approach lately, and Puk seems to be at the top of it. He could find his way to another save or two to wrap up the regular season and should enter the playoffs as Arizona's closer if it survives the weekend.
AJ Puk has been one of, if not the best trade deadline acquisition in the league this year
His stats since being acquired by the #Dbacks:
25 IP, 0.36 ERA, 0.60 WHIP, 4% BB, 45% K, .128 BAA
— Logan🌵 (@phxlogan) September 22, 2024
Edwin Uceta, Tampa Bay Rays (Rostered in 22% of Leagues)
The Rays are closing out their season by going full Rays: their last four saves have been recorded by four different pitchers. Still, Uceta has been one of the best relievers on their roster and figures to be the best bet to pick up one more save before the flappy boys put a pin in the 2024 season.
4) Edwin Uceta
Uceta has broken out in a big way this season, posting a 1.42 ERA and 1.62 FIP in 38.0 IP
He has an unorthodox delivery and some funky pitch shapes which completely stumps batters. Just look at this changeup! pic.twitter.com/vBWqahntkd
— Thomas Nestico (@TJStats) September 16, 2024
More Bullpen and Closer News
Cleveland Guardians
Emmanuel Clase is having an unbelievable season and should be the first reliever in a while to get some significant Cy Young votes (he won't win, but he could end up in the top five). He's tossed 73 1/3 innings and somehow allowed only five earned runs. That's a 0.61 ERA.
Clase is second in the league with 47 saves and set a new Cleveland franchise record with that total. He's converted 34 save chances in a row and hasn't allowed a run in his last 10 appearances.
The stat that stands out the most to me about his season? He's allowed one run five times. In a full season, Clase never once allowed more than one run to score while he was on the mound. That's wild.
Emmanuel Clase getting pissed off after loading the bases...
And unleashing a 103mph Cutter. 😯 pic.twitter.com/0pLM8sO54O
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) September 26, 2024
Short Relief - Other Bullpen News
-Robert Suarez earned a save by allowing two runners to reach base, then inducing a triple play groundout to end the game. All part of the plan.
-Jackson Jobe got called up to the Tigers bullpen and finished off a win in a non-save situation in his major league debut.
-Kenley Jansen will end the season on the injured list, leaving Chris Martin and Justin Slaten to take any save chances left for the Red Sox.
-Surprising almost no one, the Rays lead the league in number of pitchers with a save, with 13. So far.
-Very close to the end of the season and it's a tight race for the saves lead: Ryan Helsley has 48 and Emmanuel Clase has 47. The last time anyone saved 50 games in a season was 2018, and before that was 2013.
-Our top three relievers by fWAR this season have been Cade Smith (2.7), Griffin Jax (2.5), and Mason Miller (2.4).
-The top relievers by K% have been Mason Miller (41.3%), Edwin Diaz (38.9%), and Josh Hader (38.2%) (minimum 30 IP).
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