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

Getting A Grip On Holds: Relief Pitcher Waiver Wire Pickups

By John on Flickr (Original version) UCinternational (Crop) [CC-BY-SA-2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

While the holds statistic is even harder to predict than saves for closers, the players we highlight today feature some sleeper setup men and some relief pitchers looking to reclaim glory they once had. The more likely an MLB team is to win, the more likely these following relief pitchers will be eligible to earn the holds that could be the difference between winning or losing in your fantasy league.

Some of the relief pitchers I am going to focus on this week will be a part of contenders and some are a part of rebuilding projects. It’s approaching the last month of the season, aces will go the distance but younger talented starting pitchers may be reaching innings they never touched before so middle relief pitchers will need to preserve the lead so that the closer can preserve the win and save the game, so the hold is ripe for the taking for these relievers.

 

Waiver Wire Options For Holds

Editor’s Note: This piece is part of a weekly series on relief pitcher targets for holds. You can follow the entire series of holds analysis and sleepers to stay ahead of your competition.

Also be sure to check out our famous fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups list, which is broken down by every position with hot/trending players, and is updated every single day.

 

Jumbo Diaz, Cincinnati Reds

6 holds, 24.0 innings, 3.38 ERA, 26 strikeouts, 1.00 WHIP

By John on Flickr (Original version) UCinternational (Crop) [CC-BY-SA-2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

The large right-hander, Jumbo Diaz, is slowly beginning to establish himself as a reliever in the majors. Primarily using a fastball that reaches 97 on average, Jumbo Diaz appears to be putting his weight behind his pitches. He strikes out just over one batter per inning pitched. With just six holds to this point in the season, his best selling point is as a fireman.

While he has only inherited 13 runners on base, only one has scored so far. The Cincinnati Reds are likely not going to contend for a spot in the postseason but Diaz is getting the chance to prove he belongs on the roster next season with a strong finish to 2014.

 

Danny Farquhar, Seattle Mariners

11 holds, 58.2 innings, 2.45 ERA, 66 strikeouts, 1.11 WHIP

The Seattle Mariners bring one of the best bullpens in the league to the table. After a good first season with the Mariners in 2013, Danny Farquhar is emerging as a very good reliever in the 2014 season. He boasts a K/9 of 10.1. He got to work as a closer in 2013 but with Fernando Rodney handling the closing duties this season, Farquhar is establishing himself at the back end of the bullpen.

An small decrease in the velocity of his pitches has not hindered his effectiveness. Farquhar is just getting beyond his career-high for innings and has not shown any signs of weakness. He has held opponents to under a .200 batting average for the month of August. The Mariners will need Farquhar and the rest of the bullpen to help them reach the playoffs this season.

 

Dan Otero, Oakland Athletics

11 holds, 73.2 innings, 2.20 ERA, 35 strikeouts, 1.13 WHIP

With the injury to Sean Doolittle, Dan Otero got recalled back to the majors. His demotion was not for lack of ability. While he will not blow you away and strike you out as his K/9 is hardly there (4.3), what Otero brings to the game is a great (57%) ground ball rate. This is no surprise when you realize that  52.7%  of his pitches are sinkers. He will not throw in excess of 90 MPH so his goal is weak contact.

His numbers are not flashy but he gets the job done. He will likely not step into the closer’s role with players like Eric O’Flaherty and Luke Gregerson.  Otero will be working in a middle relief role and help the team out through the final stretch of the season until Doolittle returns.

 

Pedro Strop, Chicago Cubs

16 holds, 50.2 innings, 2.31 ERA, 56 strikeouts, 1.09 WHIP

Once the closer, Pedro Strop is doing a great job as setup man for the Chicago Cubs. While his K/9 is just under 10.0, he also has a 2.31 ERA, his best in a full season in the majors. He is currently generating a ground ball rate of 54.3% that is likely due to his two-seam fastball.

Opponents are hitting .183 against Strop and in 118 plate appearances right-handed batters have just 15 hits, and a .144 batting average. Since June, Strop has pitched to a sub 2.00 ERA in each month. The Cubs will not contend but it will not stop Strop from being an effective reliever.

 

Jean Machi, San Francisco Giants

15 holds, 57.1 innings, 1.57 ERA, 42 strikeouts, 0.89 WHIP

Despite losing the division lead to the rival Dodgers, the Giants bullpen, and Jean Machi in particular, is having an outstanding season. Along with his sub 2.00 ERA, Machi also holds opponents to a batting average under .200. After a difficult June, Machi posted an ERA around 2.00 in July and an ERA around 1.60 for August. He will be in a lot of tight contests as the Giants look to make postseason baseball.

 




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 McConkey3 hours ago

Has A Strong End To His Rookie Year
Justin Herbert4 hours ago

Has The Worst Game Of His Career On Saturday
Jerami Grant4 hours ago

Still Dealing With Jaw And Neck Soreness
Cameron Johnson4 hours ago

Still Out On Sunday
Andre Drummond5 hours ago

Won't Play On Sunday
D'Angelo Russell6 hours ago

Unavailable Sunday
Malcolm Brogdon6 hours ago

Not Ready To Return On Sunday
Alex Caruso6 hours ago

To Remain Out For 10th Consecutive Game
Ty Jerome6 hours ago

Unlikely To Play Sunday
Josh Richardson6 hours ago

Remains Out Saturday
Robert Williams III6 hours ago

Misses Saturday's Action Due To Illness
Deandre Ayton6 hours ago

Will Not Play Against Heat
Trey Murphy III6 hours ago

Returning To Action Sunday
Dejounte Murray6 hours ago

Questionable To Play Against Celtics
Patrick Williams7 hours ago

Labeled As Probable For Sunday
Kyle Lowry7 hours ago

Out For Fourth Straight Game
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope7 hours ago

Listed As Probable For Sunday
Nico Collins7 hours ago

Big Day For Nico Collins In Wild-Card Win
Houston Texans7 hours ago

Texans D/ST Hits Paydirt Against Bolts
Joe Mixon7 hours ago

Recovers To Help Houston Ice Victory
Jalen Suggs7 hours ago

To Remain Out Sunday
Paolo Banchero7 hours ago

Not Listed On Injury Report Ahead Of Sunday
Joel Embiid7 hours ago

Listed As Questionable For Sunday's Game
Miles McBride8 hours ago

Probable For Sunday
Gary Trent Jr.8 hours ago

Questionable For Sunday's Action
Khris Middleton8 hours ago

Likely To Play Against Knicks
New England Patriots8 hours ago

Patriots Expected To Hire Mike Vrabel As Head Coach
Alexander Wennberg9 hours ago

Unavailable Saturday
Cole Sillinger9 hours ago

Back In Blue Jackets Lineup Saturday
Connor Zary9 hours ago

Out Indefinitely
Ivan Barbashev9 hours ago

On Track To Return Saturday
Ilya Sorokin10 hours ago

Out With An Illness
Patrik Laine10 hours ago

A Game-Time Call On Saturday
Steven Stamkos10 hours ago

Ready To Go Saturday
Hayden Hurst12 hours ago

Kimani Vidal Inactive
John Metchie III12 hours ago

Active On Saturday
Quentin Johnston12 hours ago

Active On Saturday
J.K. Dobbins12 hours ago

Active On Saturday
Zay Flowers12 hours ago

Could Miss Divisional Round If Baltimore Advances
J.K. Dobbins15 hours ago

Expected To Play In Wild-Card Round
Sandy Alcantara18 hours ago

Will Not Be Traded Before Opening Day
Patrick Kane19 hours ago

Dishes Out Three Helpers On Friday
Karel Vejmelka19 hours ago

Snaps Skid On Friday Night
Adrian Kempe20 hours ago

Leads The Way On Friday Night
Cole Caufield20 hours ago

Extends Goal Streak To Five Games
Charlie Lindgren20 hours ago

Exits Early On Friday
Dustin Tokarski20 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. Brown1 day 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 Knapp2 days ago

Withdraws From Sony Open
Michael Thorbjornsen2 days ago

Withdraws From Sony Open
Luis Arraez2 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