NL-Only Waiver Wire Team of the Week: MLB Week 25

Every 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 […]

Statcast Pitcher Risers/Fallers - Early-Inning Pitch Count (Week 25)

Welcome back to Rotoballer’s series using Statcast to extrapolate, dig into, and commiserate over data to examine pitching performances. The weekly series will be dynamic as we fine-tune our findings and enlighten ourselves on the information and tools at our disposal. We’re closing in on two weeks left of regular season baseball and fantasy managers […]

Sergio Romo Earns 22nd Save Monday Versus Texas

Tampa Bay Rays relief pitcher Sergio Romo shut down the Rangers Monday to finish out the victory. He would record three outs (two by strikeout) while only allowing a single walk to take care of the ninth inning in the 3-0 victory. The save would be his 22nd of the season. He had also opened […]

Evan Phillips Takes Loss As Opener Monday

Baltimore Orioles pitcher Evan Phillips fell to 0-1 in Monday's 5-0 loss to the Blue Jays. In his first career Major League start, a spot start with Andrew Cashner (knee) unable to pitch in his scheduled slot, Phillips allowed three runs on three hits (including a two-run home run) and no walks with two strikeouts […]

Bud Norris Unavailable On Monday

St. Louis Cardinals relief pitcher Bud Norris (finger) is unavailable out of the bullpen on Monday so that he can let the skin on his right middle finger heal. Norris was the closer for most of the season, but he recently lost his job while going through a rough patch while dealing with a hip […]

Aroldis Chapman Throws Successful Sim Game

New York Yankees closer Aroldis Chapman (knee) threw a successful 22-pitch simulated game on Monday. That should be his last step before he returns to the team's bullpen this week. Chapman could be immediately put back in the ninth-inning closer role and he should be back in your lineups when he's activated from the disabled […]

Raisel Iglesias Earns 27th Save Of Season Sunday

Cincinnati Reds closer Raisel Iglesias pitched a clean ninth inning on Sunday against the Cubs, securing a 2-1 win. Iglesias allowed no runs, hits, or walks with no strikeouts while earning his 27th save of the season. He now has a 2.47 ERA with 69 strikeouts and 21 walks in 65 2/3 IP this season.

Shane Greene Reaches 30 Saves

Detroit Tigers closer Shane Greene tossed a rocky inning on Sunday, allowing a run on three hits, but it was still good enough to get the job done and secure the victory for his team while earning his 30th save of the season. Greene has had an ultimately disappointing year with an unsightly 5.07 ERA. […]

AL-Only Waiver Wire Team of the Week: MLB Week 25

Every 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 […]

Sergio Romo Earns 21st Save Sunday

Tampa Bay Rays relief pitcher Sergio Romo offered some excitement Sunday versus Oakland. He came in with one out and the bases loaded in the ninth inning. He would allow a grand slam homer but finished out the inning to earn his 21st save of the season. He had also opened several games earlier in […]

Seung Hwan Oh Close To Returning

Colorado Rockies relief pitcher Seung Hwan Oh (hamstring) is close to returning to the team. Oh has a 3.06 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 9.7 K/9 in 17 2/3 innings for the Rockies this year, but he isn't much of a fantasy factor with no chance for saves in Colorado. He can continue being ignored in […]

The Cut List (Week 25): Time to Let Go?

Welcome to Week 25 of the Cut List. This week I’m taking a look at Adam Jones, Carlos Gonzalez, Odubel Herrera, and Starlin Castro. All four players should be cut in most standard shallow formats. We’re in the thick of the fantasy playoff season and we need to own players who are actually producing results. […]

Sergio Romo Earns 20th Save Saturday

Tampa Bay Rays relief pitcher Sergio Romo finished off the game Saturday versus Oakland. He would pitch the entire ninth inning allowing only one run to earn his 20th save of the season. He had also opened several games earlier in the season. Romo has been somewhat sparsely used lately There is still some concern […]

Steve Cishek Picks Up The Save On Saturday

Chicago Cubs relief pitcher Steve Cishek converted his fourth save of the season on Saturday. Cishek got the call with Pedro Strop (hamstring) and Brandon Morrow (elbow) both sidelined. Morrow is expected back soon, but is likely to be eased back into the closer role. Cishek has closer experience and could see more save chances, […]

Keone Kela Shut Down Due To Workload Concerns

Pittsburgh Pirates relief pitcher Keone Kela is being shut down for the rest of the season "to ensure an optimal amount of rest and recovery to be ready in spring training 2019," according to general manager Neal Huntington. Kela hasn't pitched since Sept. 3 but has 52 innings on the year, which is more than […]

William Cuevas Struggles In Short Start On Friday

Boston Red Sox pitcher William Cuevas only lasted two innings in Friday's 8-0 loss to the New York Mets. He allowed two runs on three hits while striking out four batters and walking one. Hector Velazquez was originally scheduled to start the game for the Red Sox, but he was scratched due to an illness. […]

Brandon Morrow Will Be Eased Back In

Chicago Cubs manager Joe Maddon said closer Brandon Morrow (biceps) will not be put back into the ninth-inning role immediately upon his return. Morrow threw a simulated game on Saturday and said he is ready to return in a few days. Pedro Strop (hamstring) is now out for the rest of the regular season, and […]

Aroldis Chapman To Throw Sim Game Monday

New York Yankees closer Aroldis Chapman (knee) threw a 26-pitch bullpen session on Saturday and said he felt fine. He will now throw a simulated game on Monday. Chapman could be cleared to rejoin the bullpen after that if he doesn't suffer any setbacks. The hard-throwing left-hander should then be put back in the ninth-inning […]

Brandon Morrow Expects To Be Activated Soon

After throwing one inning in a simulated game on Saturday, Chicago Cubs closer Brandon Morrow (biceps) expects to be activated in a few days. This would be a big boost to both the Cubs and fantasy owners as Pedro Strop (hamstring) was ruled out for the season on Friday. Morrow has been out since the […]

Jose Castillo Could Be Future Closer

San Diego Padres relief pitcher Jose Castillo could have the stuff (fastball/slider mix) and demeanor to be the team's future closer. He has a 2.45 ERA and has allowed 16 hits in 33 innings while striking out 35 percent of the hitters he faces. "The scary thing is he's still learning, still getting better," said […]

Jeremy Jeffress Earns 12th Save Friday

Milwaukee Brewers relief pitcher Jeremy Jeffress finished off the game Friday versus Pittsburgh. Jeffress threw a scoreless ninth inning to close out the 7-4 victory over the Pirates. He has had multiple roles over his 69 relief appearances this season. Jeffress currently is the closer and Friday was his 12th save of the season. He […]

Jorge De La Rosa Secures First Career Save On Friday

Chicago Cubs pitcher Jorge De La Rosa picked up his first career save on Friday. De La Rosa filled in for Pedro Strop (hamstring) who was ruled out for the season on Friday. The Cubs rested most of their main bullpen arms on Friday and there is no guarantee that De La Rosa will be […]

Brandon Morrow To Throw Sim Game Saturday

Chicago Cubs closer Brandon Morrow (biceps) will throw a simulated game on Saturday. He's hoping to return to games by the end of next week. The Cubs could really use Morrow back now with Pedro Strop (hamstring) out for the rest of the regular season. Morrow could become an option for saves in the final […]

Pedro Strop Out For Rest Of Season

Chicago Cubs relief pitcher Pedro Strop (hamstring) will not pitch again in the regular season after an MRI exam showed a moderate left hamstring strain. It's unknown if he'd be able to return if Chicago makes the playoffs. Manager Joe Maddon curiously left Strop in to hit for himself on Thursday with the team up […]

Russell Martin Activated From Paternity List

The Toronto Blue Jays activated catcher Russell Martin from the paternity list on Friday and also activated relief pitcher Joe Biagini (oblique) from the 10-day disabled list. Martin has been terrible this year for Toronto, hitting .194/.338/.325 with 10 home runs and 25 RBI. He will continue to lose playing time down the stretch to […]

Sam Gaviglio Mediocre In Short Thursday Outing

Toronto Blue Jays starter Sam Gaviglio allowed two runs on six hits across 3 1/3 innings of work in Thursday's 4-3 loss to the Boston Red Sox. Gaviglio walked one and struck out one in the no-decision. Gaviglio is not a viable fantasy option this season. He has a low strikeout rate and is prone […]

Craig Kimbrel Records 40th Save Of Season

Boston Red Sox closer Craig Kimbrel pitched a perfect ninth inning to close out Thursday's 4-3 win over the Toronto Blue Jays. He induced two fly-outs and got Danny Jansen to go down swinging. Kimbrel has returned to stellar form after a couple of inept weeks in August. He has yet to allow a hit […]

Jose Alvarado (RP, TB) - Week 25 Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues OWNED IN: 27% of leagues ANALYSIS: Tampa Bay Rays relief pitcher Jose Alvarado should be owned in more leagues based on his 2.14 ERA alone, but, here we are, with him free in more than 70% of leagues. Yes, he has walked 4.12 batters per nine on the season, […]

Trevor Hildenberger (RP, MIN): Week 25 Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues OWNED IN: 25% of leagues ANALYSIS: Minnesota Twins relief pitcher Trevor Hildenberger is the closer for the Twins and, that alone, makes him a fantasy asset. There are a lot of things not to like about Hildy, the 4.45 FIP and 8.26 strikeouts per nine are a good start, […]

Mychal Givens Earns Multi-Inning Save Thursday

Baltimore Orioles closer Mychal Givens earned his seventh save of the season in Thursday's 5-3 win over the A's. Givens entered the game in the eighth inning with a one-run lead, one out, and the bases loaded. He was able to escape the jam with a strikeout and flyout, and then pitched a clean ninth […]