Matt Barnes (RP, BOS) - Waiver Wire Pickups Week 9

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OWNED IN: 30% of Leagues

ANALYSIS: It's been a rough season for Red Sox pitching in 2020 by just about every metric you can look at. Since Brandon Workman was traded to the Phillies, Matt Barnes is now the one guy to roster out of a bad Boston bullpen. With a 5.09 ERA and 1.528 WHIP in 17.2 innings this year, Barnes hasn't really been fantasy relevant in most formats. But a closer is a closer and if you are chasing saves right now then take a look at Barnes, who has actually pitched slightly better since taking over the closer role.

Barnes has now recorded five saves in his last seven save opportunities, with 13 strikeouts over eight innings to go along with a 4.50 ERA in that span. And in the month of September, Barnes is pitching even slightly better than that with a 3.86 ERA and nine strikeouts in 4.2 innings of work.

Long story short, Barnes isn't going to be much help in any category outside of saves (and K/9 if your league counts that, as he currently boasts a team-best 12.7 K/9). He is getting hammered this season (career-high 33.3 HR/FB) and he is also struggling with walks to the tune of a career-worst 14.8 percent walk rate. On top of that, he appears to have a slight dip in velocity this year from 2019 which could play into his struggles. But if you just need saves and can afford to take a potential hit to ERA, then Barnes is your best bet.