Fantasy baseball expert Dalton Del Don is monitoring potential sources for saves and providing updates on changing bullpen situations for various teams.
Arizona Diamondbacks:
With A.J. Puk and Justin Martinez sidelined due to arm injuries, Shelby Miller has emerged as the top candidate for saves in Arizona. Kevin Ginkel could also be in consideration, but Miller has been impressive with a 1.15 ERA, 0.89 WHIP, and strong peripherals. Given the Diamondbacks’ high number of save opportunities, Miller is a must-add in fantasy leagues, especially since he is available in over 70% of Yahoo leagues.
Boston Red Sox:
Aroldis Chapman hit 104 mph in his recent save, showing good form after a brief hiatus. While Boston may use a mix-and-match approach for closing, Liam Hendriks could see additional save chances going forward.
Chicago Cubs:
Ryan Pressly’s ERA rose significantly after a rough outing, but Porter Hodge is the next in line for saves in Chicago. The Cubs may seek a closer through a trade eventually.
Cincinnati Reds:
Emilio Pagán has been solid as the Reds’ closer and should be rostered in fantasy leagues. His recent performance and role as the primary closer indicate a secure position.
Detroit Tigers:
Will Vest and Tommy Kahnle are currently sharing closing duties for the Tigers. While frustrating at times, both pitchers have value in deeper fantasy leagues.
New York Yankees:
Devin Williams has lost the closer role for the Yankees, with Luke Weaver emerging as a potential replacement. Williams, however, has the talent to bounce back and could regain the closer role in the future.
Pittsburgh Pirates:
David Bednar appears to have reclaimed the closer role for the Pirates, making him a valuable fantasy asset for saves.
The pitcher with a 5.00 ERA also boasts a 2.74 SIERA and a 20.5% K-BB rate. He has a solid 10:1 K:BB ratio and has pitched to a 2.25 ERA in eight innings since being recalled from a brief stint in the minors earlier in the year. Having notched 39 saves with a 2.00 ERA in a previous season, he is now back as the closer. It’s recommended not to overlook him in over 50% of Yahoo leagues.
In San Francisco, Ryan Walker had a tough outing on Tuesday but managed to bounce back with a save on Wednesday. Camilo Doval (45%) has shown improvement this season and is a viable option, although manager Bob Melvin seems to prefer using him in high leverage situations while having Walker close. Walker’s performance this year hasn’t been as strong as last year, and his hold on the closer role is more tenuous now. Doval might take over if Walker struggles again.
For the Texas Rangers, Luke Jackson (45%) has secured eight saves out of the team’s total of 11, but his ERA has climbed to 6.00 this season. He has only pitched once in May due to the lack of save opportunities. While Jackson is still the frontrunner for saves, Robert Garcia (11%) and Chris Martin (34%) are alternatives. Manager Bruce Bochy seems inclined to use Martin in high leverage situations, as he has outperformed Jackson this season with a 25.4% K-BB rate compared to Jackson’s 11.3%.
