RADIO
BALLER MOVE: Add in All Leagues
OWNED IN: 38% of leagues
ANALYSIS: With Hunter Strickland sidelined by a broken finger sustained while punching a door in anger after a blown save, the San Francisco Giants have tried a number of different relievers in the ninth inning. Most recently, they have been turning to Will Smith to shut the door and he has taken over the role quite successfully.
The veteran left-hander has successfully converted the team's last three save opportunities and has allowed just three runs since May 25, and just five runs all season long. Naturally, Smith is the beneficiary of at least some good fortune on batted balls (.275 BABIP), but he has also struck out 42 batters in 31 innings on the strength of a 16.5% swinging strike rate that ranks 10th among all relievers (min. 30 IP).
For as long as Strickland is out, Smith figures to continue seeing save opportunities. In fact, with his 1.45 ERA and huge strikeout numbers, he might be a good player to hold either way, particularly with his ground ball rate jumping to 44.8% (42.6% career rate). He should be owned in all leagues.
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