🖥 TAP TO SAVE 50% WITH CODE NEW
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
Compare Any Players
Rookies & Call-Ups
24x7 News and Alerts

MLB Closers and Saves Report - Week 4

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

David Marcillo looks at Week 4 closer performances around MLB, including bullpen changes. He identifies fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups and adds for saves.

Week 3 gave us a flurry of bullpen moves so naturally, week 4 was mostly quiet, with nothing Earth-shattering really going down in any team's bullpen.

There were still a few important things happening, and of course there were some great performances to discuss, so let's carefully jump in so we can avoid the DL.

Let's get to it.

Be sure to check all of our fantasy baseball draft tools and resources:

 

Bullpen News for Week 4

Washington Nationals

Just like last week, we'll start off Bullpen News with some Nationals chatter. Last week, Blake Treinen officially lost his job and was replaced by a committee headed by Koda Glover and Shawn Kelley. This week, the picture got a little clearer. With Glover heading to the disabled list with a left hip impingement, Kelley will have the ninth inning all to himself for a while. Even though Glover doesn't expect to miss much time, saying he should be ready to return once his requisite 10 days are up, this could give Kelley enough time to cement himself as the closer in D.C. Manager Dusty Baker is certainly the kind that would prefer a clear-cut closer over a committee, and this is the best opportunity Kelley has had so far to prove himself. Kelley's fantasy owners should be thrilled about the way things have developed in the Nationals bullpen. Glover's owners, on the other hand, are likely a bit disappointed. Still, it's no guarantee that Kelley thrives in his suddenly full-time role, so Glover is worth a DL spot until we see what happens when he comes back.

 

Los Angeles Angels

There has been plenty of hype for Angels closer Cam Bedrosian coming from me and from many others. He pitched 6 2/3 scoreless innings, striking out nine without walking a batter and allowing only six hits while converting three saves. But, then he landed on the DL. Bedrosian was placed on the disabled list with a right groin strain. He never had to be lifted from a game, so it's unclear just when he suffered the injury. It's also still unclear just how much time Bedrosian will miss. Hopefully for the Angels and for Bedrosian's fantasy owners, he will be able to return soon after his 10 days are up. Veteran Huston Street just started a throwing program this week, but he's on the 60-day disabled list and still several weeks away from being any kind of a factor. In the meantime, manager Mike Scioscia hasn't named an official closer, instead opting for a committee while Bedrosian is on the shelf. Despite that official stance, Bud Norris has already received and converted three save opportunities. He is the arm to own in the Angels bullpen while Bedrosian is out. In 11 2/3 innings so far this year, Norris has allowed four runs on eight hits and four walks while striking out 14. Bedrosian's owners looking for a quick replacement could do worse than looking at Norris as a temporary add.

 

Texas Rangers

Rangers Opening Day closer Sam Dyson was legendary in his awfulness to start the season. He allowed 13 runs on 14 hits and five walks in just 4 1/3 innings, compiling an 0-3 record despite only six appearances. His 27.00 ERA and 4.38 WHIP killed fantasy owners in the first couple of weeks. He was placed on the disabled list with a "right hand contusion" which was almost certainly code for "take 10 days off and get your head on straight, Sam." Those days are up now, and Dyson is ready to be reinstated from the DL on Friday. He will not return to his ninth inning role, however. New Rangers closer Matt Bush will keep his job, with Dyson making a few low-leverage appearances before presumably working his way up to a setup role. Bush has 12 strikeouts in 7 2/3 innings, allowing just two runs on one walk and four hits. He'll remain the closer for the rest of the season unless he gets hurt or goes full Dyson. In that case, Jeremy Jeffress would likely be next in line before Dyson gets another chance. Bush is a must-own in all formats, while Dyson can certainly be dropped in all leagues.

 

Roster Moves of the Week

Adds:

Shawn Kelley, Washington Nationals- Kelley is currently only owned in 45% of mixed leagues, but he should absolutely be owned across the board. Now the unquestioned closer for one of the best teams in baseball, Kelley will have plenty of fantasy value for the rest of the season.

Matt Bush, Texas Rangers- Any concern that Bush would lose his job or become a member of a committee disappeared this week as he was confirmed as the team's closer even with Opening Day closer Sam Dyson on his way back. Bush in only owned in 48% of mixed leagues right now, so take a look at that waiver wire.

Bud Norris, Los Angeles Angels- Norris would only be a temporary add, as Cam Bedrosian is certain to get the ninth inning back when he returns from the DL. Still, a temporary source of consistent saves has value in fantasy, and Norris seems like he'll get the majority of ninth innings until Bedrosian returns.

Hector Neris, Philadelphia Phillies- Hector Neris has been the Phillies "closer of the future" for a while now. It seems like the future may have finally arrived. The Phillies started the season with Jeanmar Gomez working their ninth innings. That failed spectacularly, as predicted by pretty much everyone, so the team went with veteran Joaquin Benoit. After that didn't go so great, they've officially gone to a closer by committee, but Neris has been getting some of those chances. He's the best pitcher in the Phillies bullpen, so it is quite possible he takes command of the ninth inning before long.

 

Best of the Week

Brad Brach, Baltimore Orioles- 5 IP, 3 SV, 3 K, 0.00 ERA, 0.60 WHIP

Orioles fill-in closer Brad Brach did his best Zach Britton impression this week, saving three games while striking out three and not allowing a run to score. He only gave up a walk and two hits on the week. With Britton starting a rehab assignment Friday, Brach's days as closer are nearing an end. He'll slide back into his role as an elite setup man.

Seung Hwan Oh, St. Louis Cardinals- 3 IP, 5 K, 3 SV, 0.00 ERA, 1.00 WHIP

After a slow start to the season, "The Final Boss" seems to be settling into his ninth inning. This week, he saved every game he appeared in, allowing just two hits and a walk while striking out five. The re-ascendance of Trevor Rosenthal may have had Oh's fantasy owners worried for just a second, but Oh is set in his role and should hang onto it all season, barring injury.

Brandon Maurer, San Diego Padres- 3 IP, 5 K, 2 SV, 0.00 ERA, 0.00 WHIP

Padres closer Brandon Maurer was on the hot seat just a week ago, sending fantasy owners scrambling to see who his replacement might be. This week, he was perfect. In three games, he saved two and struck out five without allowing a single batter to reach base. That should buy him some more time in the San Diego ninth inning role.




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Daily Stats & Leaders
All Pitcher Matchups
Compare Any Players
Compare Any Players
Rookies & Call-Ups
24x7 News and Alerts

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

George Kittle

Suffers Torn Achilles on Sunday
Aaron Holiday

is Moving into Starting Five
Aaron Gordon

is Available on Sunday
Christian Braun

is Downgraded to Out
Jamal Murray

is Unavailable on Sunday
Omarion Hampton

Active for Wild-Card Round Against Patriots
Kristaps Porzingis

Won't Play on Sunday
Kevin Porter Jr.

is Available to Play on Sunday
Christian Braun

Downgraded to Questionable on Sunday
Tyler Herro

to Suit Up on Sunday
Norman Powell

Ruled Out for Sunday's Game
Victor Wembanyama

Cleared for Sunday
George Kittle

Ruled Out After Non-Contact Achilles Injury
Cole Perfetti

Contributes Two Assists in Sunday's Win
Carl Grundstrom

Misses Sunday's Practice
Jrue Holiday

Cleared to Suit Up Versus New York
Las Vegas Raiders

Raiders Request Interview With Ejiro Evero
Josh Hart

Returning on Sunday Night
Travis Konecny

Hurt at Sunday's Practice
Thatcher Demko

Lands on Injured Reserve
Colin Miller

Injured Versus Devils
Bryan Rust

Remains Out Sunday
Morgan Geekie

Won't Play Sunday
Los Angeles Rams

Mike LaFleur to Interview With Raiders and Cardinals
Aaron Rodgers

Steelers Open to Re-Signing Aaron Rodgers?
Matthew Stafford

X-Rays Come Back Negative
Mark Stone

Extends Goal Streak With Empty-Netter
Nikita Kucherov

Has Four-Point Outing Saturday
David Pastrnak

Records Six Assists in Big Win
Stefan Noesen

to Have Knee Surgery
Carter Hart

Out Week-to-Week
Thatcher Demko

Exits With Injury Saturday
MacKenzie Gore

Yankees Pursuing Trade for MacKenzie Gore
Philip Broberg

Suffers Upper-Body Injury Saturday
Alex Bregman

Cubs Sign Alex Bregman to Five-Year, $175 Millon Contract
Chet Holmgren

Available Sunday
Dennis Schröder

Dennis Schroder Suspended for Three Games for Attempting to Strike Another Player
Kristaps Porzingis

May Return Sunday
Zaccharie Risacher

to Miss Second Consecutive Game Sunday
Kevin Porter Jr.

Considered Probable for Sunday
Aaron Gordon

Likely to Play Sunday
Christian Braun

Considered Probable for Sunday
Spencer Jones

May Miss Another Game Sunday
Jamal Murray

Iffy for Sunday's Action
Freddie Freeman

Withdraws from World Baseball Classic
Chandler Stephenson

Jaden Schwartz Replaces Chandler Stephenson in Kraken Lineup
Brandon Saad

Won't Play This Weekend
Shea Theodore

Returns to Golden Knights Lineup Saturday
Jaccob Slavin

Returns Against Kraken
Travis Konecny

Ruled Out Saturday
Brad Marchand

Misses Saturday's Game
Corey Perry

Available Saturday
Max Kepler

Receives 80-Game PED Suspension
CFB

Cam Coleman Visiting Alabama on Friday
Omarion Hampton

Expects to Play Sunday Night
CFB

Eric Singleton Jr. Enters Transfer Portal, Trending to Land at Florida
CFB

NCAA Denies Trinidad Chambliss a Sixth Year of Eligibility
Omarion Hampton

Questionable for Wild-Card Weekend
Kyle Tucker

Mets Remain in Mix for Kyle Tucker
Ketel Marte

Will Remain With Diamondbacks
Rashee Rice

to be Reviewed Under League's Conduct Policy
Daniel Jones

Colts Plan to Re-Sign Daniel Jones
Davante Adams

Off the Injury Report, Will Play Against Carolina
Bo Bichette

Phillies to Meet With Bo Bichette
Rome Odunze

Will Return for Wild-Card Game on Saturday
CFB

DJ Lagway Commits to Baylor
Miami Dolphins

Dolphins Fire Head Coach Mike McDaniel
Sam LaPorta

Plans to be Back for Training Camp
Owen Caissie

Shipped to Miami as Centerpiece of Trade
Edward Cabrera

Cubs Officially Acquire Edward Cabrera From Marlins
Rome Odunze

Plans to Play on Saturday
Edward Cabrera

Cubs Finalizing Deal to Acquire Edward Cabrera From Marlins
New York Giants

Giants "All-In" on Hiring John Harbaugh
CFB

Jackson Arnold Signs with UNLV
CFB

Sam Leavitt Scheduled to Visit Tennessee
New York Giants

John Harbaugh Expected to be Favorite to Become New Giants Head Coach
Baltimore Ravens

John Harbaugh Won't Return as Ravens Head Coach
Bo Bichette

Unlikely to Return to Toronto?
Jordan Love

Ready to Start in Wild-Card Game Against Bears
CFB

Jadan Baugh Staying with Florida for Junior Season
Washington Commanders

Commanders "Mutually" Parting Ways With OC Kliff Kingsbury
CFB

Byrum Brown Officially Commits to Auburn
CFB

Austin Simmons Signing with Missouri