Ian Kennedy Embracing Closing Role

Kansas City Royals closer Ian Kennedy isn't exactly the second coming of Mariano Rivera, but he's proven to be decent at the job so far. He also seems to recognize that his future as a professional baseball player depends on him excelling in the role. Kennedy told reporters this weekend that he's enjoying the role […]

Jose Leclerc is Opener for Sunday

Texas Rangers pitcher Jose Leclerc will be the opener for Sunday's game against the Minnesota Twins. This will be Leclerc's third start for the team this season, but he's only expected to pitch an inning or two. Lefty Joe Palumbo should follow Leclerc out of the bullpen and pitch a bulk of the innings on […]

Jake McGee Keeps Trend Alive

Colorado Rockies relief pitcher Jake McGee doesn't seem like anything too special this season, but he's actually second in the league in a category. McGee tossed a shutout inning on Saturday, but like most of his innings this season, it wasn't the kind of dominant relief inning one would expect from a high-leverage reliever with […]

Greg Holland Gets Save Against Rockies, Looks to be Closer Going Forward

After concerns that he might be on his way out of the closer role, Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Greg Holland snapped a two-game skid and picked up his 13th save of the year on Saturday night. Holland allowed two hits while striking out one in his first scoreless inning of work since June 27. With back-to-back […]

Daily Slivers of the Fantasy Soapbox - Yesterday's Recap

Welcome to the Sunday, July 7th edition of Daily Slivers of the Fantasy Soapbox. Discussing baseball is as fun as the game itself. It has a way of bringing people together to share different opinions about the sport we all love. A similar action can be done with fantasy baseball where we not only discuss […]

Scott Oberg (RP, COL) - Week 15 Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues OWNED IN: 29% of leagues ANALYSIS: Wade Davis has lately been struggling tremendously, prompting talks to arise that he may soon he removed from the closer role for the Colorado Rockies. If the Rockies are trying to win, they should probably opt to deploy Scott Oberg in the highest leverage […]

Craig Kimbrel Picks Up Second Save

Chicago Cubs closer Craig Kimbrel picked up his second save of the season on Saturday versus the Chicago White Sox. The right-hander was shaky and struck out three, but also hit a batter and allowed a walk. Kimbrel had a scoreless outing in his season debut, but had given up five runs over his past […]

Felipe Vazquez Takes First Loss On Friday

Pittsburgh Pirates closer Felipe Vazquez (2-1) took the loss on Saturday night, allowing one run on three hits in the tenth inning of a tough 7-6 loss to Milwaukee. Vazquez has now given up a run in two consecutive appearances, raising his ERA to 2.19. Despite his recent scuffle, Vazquez is still one of the […]

Jimmy Herget (RP, CIN) - Week 15 Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in Very Deep/Holds Leagues OWNED IN: 1% of leagues ANALYSIS: The Cincinnati Reds bullpen has been elite this season (fourth in the league with a 3.76 ERA), but that doesn't its members from a shakeup of circumstance. Amir Garrett and Wandy Peralta both recently hit the IL, and Zach Duke was designated for assignment […]

Paul Fry Earns Second Save Of Season Friday

Baltimore Orioles relief pitcher Paul Fry picked up his second save of the season in Friday's 4-1 win against the Blue Jays. Fry pitched a 1-2-3 ninth inning ending with a strikeout. The O's have used a number of relievers in save situations this season, but Mychal Givens has received the most with 11 while […]

Daily Slivers of the Fantasy Soapbox - Yesterday's Recap

Welcome to the Saturday, July 6th edition of Daily Slivers of the Fantasy Soapbox. Discussing baseball is as fun as the game itself. It has a way of bringing people together to share different opinions about the sport we all love. A similar action can be done with fantasy baseball where we not only discuss […]

Greg Holland Blows Save Wednesday, Closer Role Potentially up for Grabs in Arizona

After blowing two saves on back-to-back nights, Arizona Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo suggested that closer Greg Holland may not be in line for the next save opportunity according to The Arizona Republic writer Nick Piecoro. Following the loss, Lovullo, "was hesitant to deliver a vote of confidence when asked if Holland were [sic] still his […]

Five Hitters To Add for Week 15: After Hours With RotoBaller Radio

Host Anthony Aniano of RotoBaller Radio discuss the 2019 fantasy baseball season and keeps you updated with all the latest news and analysis Be sure to tune into RotoBaller Radio on SiriusXM (channel Sirius 210, XM 87) - Monday through Friday from 6-7 am ET, from 1-2 pm ET and Saturdays from 5-7 pm ET. You can also find […]

Brandon Workman Picks Up Eighth Win

Boston Red Sox relief pitcher Brandon Workman pitched two innings with a strikeout and two walks to earn his eighth win in Thursday's 8-7 victory over Toronto. Workman did allow run in the outing, which was just his second run allowed since the beginning of June. The 30-year-old has been Boston's best reliever over that […]

Ryan Brasier, Matt Barnes Toss Scoreless Innings

Boston Red Sox reliever Ryan Brasier threw a scoreless sixth inning with a strikeout in Thursday's 8-7 win over the Blue Jays. Brasier hasn't allowed a run in seven of his eight previous outings. In 35 1/3 innings, the righty has a 1.10 WHIP with 32 strikeouts. Fellow reliever Matt Barnes went on to pitch […]

Closers and Saves Report - Week 14 Waiver Wire

Changes are coming in the desert, as the Diamondbacks look ready to move things around in their bullpen. The Reds, meanwhile, look like they're going back to how things were before. The A's got their closer back from the injured list, but is he still going to be their closer? What's going on with the […]

Digging Deeper: AL-Only Waiver Wire Report for Week 14

very week in baseball, a significant player will hit the disabled list, slip into a slump, or get traded out of a good spot. How fantasy owners adapt to these situations can make or break the season as a whole. One lousy add might not hurt the long-term standing of a team, but failing to […]

Daily Slivers of the Fantasy Soapbox - Yesterday's Recap

Welcome to the Friday, July 5th edition of Daily Slivers of the Fantasy Soapbox. Discussing baseball is as fun as the game itself. It has a way of bringing people together to share different opinions about the sport we all love. A similar action can be done with fantasy baseball where we not only discuss […]

Diego Castillo Won't Be Activated Thursday

Tampa Bay Rays relief pitcher Diego Castillo (shoulder) will be activated after the All-Star break. Castillo threw a bullpen session on Thursday, and there has been talk about him possibly pitching this weekend. The Rays are going to play it safe and give Castillo some more time to rest. Castillo has been out since June […]

Juan Nicasio Lands on Injured List

Philadelphia Phillies relief pitcher Juan Nicasio (groin) has been placed on the 10-day injured list on Thursday. Nicasio is dealing with a left groin strain, so he could be looking at longer than 10 days sidelined. The Phillies bullpen has been destroyed by injuries this season. Left-hander Austin Davis has been recalled in a corresponding […]

Shelby Miller Cut Loose By Texas Rangers

The Texas Rangers released RHP Shelby Miller on Thursday. It's possible the team re-signs him and has him work at Triple-A Nashville as a relief pitcher, but it appears his time in the Rangers organization as a starting pitcher is over. Miller was an absolute train wreck in the bigs this season, going 1-3 with […]

Rays Call Up Jake Faria And Nate Lowe

On Thursday, the Tampa Bay Rays called up both pitcher Jake Faria and first baseman Nate Lowe from Triple-A. Both players have already been up this season and there's certainly no guarantee they will remain with the big league squad long. Lowe is the more intriguing of the two from a fantasy perspective for now. […]

Amir Garrett Placed On Injured List

The Cincinnati Reds placed relief pitcher Amir Garrett (left lat strain) on the 10-day Injured List on Thursday. Garrett leads all Reds pitchers in appearances this year with 42. He's had an outstanding season with a 1.70 ERA and 14 holds. His 35.3% strikeout rate ranks amongst the top five percent in the league. While […]

Daily Slivers of the Fantasy Soapbox - Yesterday's Recap

Welcome to the Thursday, July 4th edition of Daily Slivers of the Fantasy Soapbox. Discussing baseball is as fun as the game itself. It has a way of bringing people together to share different opinions about the sport we all love. A similar action can be done with fantasy baseball where we not only discuss […]

Jose Alvarado Implodes In Ninth

Tampa Bay Rays relief pitcher Jose Alvarado had a night to forget Wednesday in a loss vs the Orioles. Alvarado was called on to preserve a 3-3 tie but instead gave up six runs, five earned, while only recording two outs. Alvarado's ERA shot up from 3.20 up to 4.85 after this disastrous outing. Alvarado […]

Craig Kimbrel Blows His First Save

Chicago Cubs closer Craig Kimbrel blew his first game of the season Wednesday versus the Pirates. Kimbrel recorded the first batter he faced and then allowed a walk, double and sac fly as the Pirates walked off victorious. Kimbrel has now allowed runs in two of his three appearances, but has a strong enough track […]

David Robertson Hopeful To Return Before August

Philadelphia Phillies reliever David Robertson threw a 19-pitch bullpen session Wednesday as he recovers from a Grade 1 flexor strain in his elbow. Robertson hopes to start throwing his curveball Friday, followed by another bullpen Sunday before beginning a rehab assignment following the All-Star Break. Barring any setbacks, the 34-year-old should return before August, likely […]

David Phelps Named Opener for Wednesday

Toronto Blue Jays pitcher David Phelps has been named the starter for Wednesday's game against the Boston Red Sox. Jacob Waguespack was expected to draw the start, but it sounds like he'll come out of the bullpen Phelps will go an inning or two, but Waguespack will pitch the bulk of the innings. This is […]

Blake Treinen is Activated on Wednesday

Oakland Athletics relief pitcher Blake Treinen (shoulder) has been activated from the 10-day injured list on Wednesday. Treinen missed roughly two months due to a minor shoulder strain. He is available in the bullpen for Wednesday's game against the Minnesota Twins. Treinen hasn't pitched like he did last season, but he still remains a productive […]

Roberto Osuna Nails Down 18th Save

Houston Astros closer Roberto Osuna notched his 18th save of the season in the Astros 9-8 win over the Rockies on Tuesday. Osuna saw only three save chances in the entire month of June, converting only one of those chances. Osuna has been an elite closer all season, posting a 2.06 ERA, a 0.77 WHIP […]