It’s been a little over a week since the MLB trade deadline and the landscape for fantasy baseball closers and high-leverage, late-inning relievers is continuing to evolve. Unfortunately, it’s not evolving fast enough within the Los Angeles Angels and Miami Marlins’ bullpen, as no one has clearly established themselves as either team’s closer.

 

 

 

For the Angels, it seems like on any given day Ben Joyce, Roansy Contreras or Hunter Strickland might be used in a save situation. There’s been only one save opportunity for the Marlins since Tanner Scott was traded to the San Diego Padres, and it went to Calvin Faucher. He nailed it, but Andrew Nardi (3 holds last week) and Anthony Bender might also still be in the mix for save opportunities for the Marlins as well.

Fantasy Baseball Closer Report: MLB Closers 2024

There are a couple of items of note about late-inning, high-leverage relievers to report. We knew that Mason Miller’s stay on the IL wouldn’t be long, and he got right back into the thick of things on Wednesday afternoon, picking up his 16th save of the season. Also, Red Sox top setup man Chris Martin was reinstated from the IL on Wednesday. 

However, as we head into mid-August, some of the saves and holds that we desperately need are now coming from relief pitchers who weren’t even on our radar to start the season, but that’s par for the course when it comes to the volatile fantasy baseball closer position. Speaking of volatility at the MLB closer position…

(All stats quoted in this article are accurate as of the morning of 8/7/2024)

 

 

 

Diamondbacks Will Use Best Matchups When Deciding Who Closes Out Games

As reported by MLB’s Arizona Diamondbacks beat reporter Steve Gilbert, manager Torey Lovullo announced on Friday that Paul Sewald is no longer the team’s closer. Lovullo tried sticking with Sewald but eventually he had to make a move. Other than Kevin Ginkel, who has been much more effective against left-handed batters (.230 BAA) compared to right-handed batters (.280 BAA), the Diamondbacks have a deep bullpen. 

Ryan Thompson, Justin Martinez and the newly-acquired A.J. Puk have been equally effective against batters from both sides of the plate this season and all could be used in save situations. When it comes to Diamondbacks save situations, it’s been a true committee approach so far. 

Of the team’s last five saves dating back to July 31st, two have been recorded by Thompson, one by Puk and one by Martinez. Having a deep bullpen featuring several relievers who can potentially close out games on any given day is great for the Diamondbacks, but it’s a nightmare for fantasy baseball managers.

Anthony Banda & Michael Kopech Turning Heads; Still, Daniel Hudson Is Closest Thing To A Closer That The Dodgers Have

It’s always been tough to pin down Dodgers manager Dave Roberts when it comes to his team’s closer situation. At the beginning of the season, Roberts said that Evan Phillips would get the “brunt” of save opportunities for the Dodgers, and he did, but at least for now, Phillips’ struggles have gotten the best of him and he’s no longer the Dodgers’ closer. 

With five of the team’s last eight saves, it appears that Daniel Hudson is the reliever that Roberts trusts the most in the ninth inning these days, and although he has the second most saves on the team (8), he’s just one of nine other Dodgers relievers to record a save so far this season. Alex Vesia has the third most saves on the Dodgers (5), but he’s been slumping lately and that’s left the door open for relievers like Kopech and Banda to make their presence felt in late-inning, high-leverage situations. 

Kopech recorded nine saves for the White Sox (not an easy feat on a team that hardly ever wins) and hasn’t given up a run in eight appearances dating back to July 8th. He’s already picked up two holds as a Dodger and could be used in occasional save situations moving forward. Banda picked up his second career save on Sunday and is having a career year at the age of 30. 

He made his season debut for the Dodgers on May 19th, and he’s recorded seven holds and has pitched to a 2.10 ERA, to go along with a 1.165 WHIP. Kopech is more likely to pitch in save situations than Banda but there are plenty of save and hold opportunities to be had in Dodgerland, making both potentially valuable depending on the fantasy format you play in. 

 

 

 

Rockies’ Victor Vodnik Tied For MLB Saves Lead Since 2024 Trade Deadline

Dating back to July 14th, Vodnik has five saves and a 0.84 ERA, and he’s not the only Rockies reliever to take note of. Tyler Kinley is tied for the MLB lead with three holds since the trade deadline. He’s also saved a game during that time frame, and he hasn’t given up a run in his last five outings. 

It feels kind of weird to recommend Rockies pitchers in a fantasy baseball article, but the team has won four of their last six games and each of those wins featured a save by one of their relievers. You can stream just about every category in fantasy baseball, so why not stream saves and holds?

Manuel Rodriguez & Edwin Uceta Should Be Good Resources For Holds

The Tampa Bay Rays’ bullpen has traditionally been a good resource for holds, and with Jason Adam now pitching for the Padres, plenty of hold opportunities are up for grabs. Rodriguez has picked up two holds since MLB’s trade deadline. He hasn’t given up a run or a walk in his last six appearances and he’s struck out eight batters. 

Rodriguez has a 2.25 ERA and 1.050 WHIP on the season, and with 32 saves in his professional baseball career, he may be called upon to close out a game on occasion. Uceta has a 1.19 ERA and 0.618 WHIP this season and also has picked up two holds since the trade deadline.