We are getting to the end of this wild 60 game schedule and monitoring these bullpens has me looking for a nap, or a beer, or maybe both. The closer’s carousel has spun at a breakneck speed over the last seven weeks, and it hasn’t stopped even up to today. This week wasn’t as crazy as others have been, but there is still plenty of news to discuss. Let’s take a look at some good news, some decent news, and then some very bad news.
The Good News
Ken Giles ,Toronto Blue Jays
Out since early in the season with a forearm injury, Giles is set to return at any time. His manager has said that he won’t close games right away, but I’m sure that won’t last very long at all. If you are trolling for saves, now is the time to go grab him before someone in your league makes the move first. Anthony Bass filled in for him admirably, but was starting to get knocked around a little, and Rafael Dolis probably has the job at this point anyway. There isn’t much time left, but Giles should get a handful of save chances before the end of the year, and he will likely convert most of them.
Jeremy Jeffress ,Chicago Cubs
Chicago has been a bullpen that has been in flux for most of the season, but it appears for now to be settled. Since August 29th Jeffress has three saves and a win, and he hasn’t allowed an earned run since August 19th. His strikeout numbers aren’t dominant, and he is walking far too many guys for a closer. However, he has only allowed one hit since the 23rd, so he has been very effective. Craig Kimbrel has lost this job, and right now it seems that Jeffress has separated himself from Rowan Wick . While his peripheral numbers might not be impressive, Jeffress is the guy to own in the Cubs bullpen.
Edwin Díaz ,New York Mets
It has been an incredible roller coaster ride, but at least for now it appears that Diaz has righted the ship! He hasn’t allowed an earned run in his previous five starts, and he even got a save on Wednesday night! Hooray!!! The guy has a ridiculous 38 strikeouts in just 18 innings and could be a league winner down the stretch. IF he can keep it together, we could see that dominant guy from Seattle a couple of years ago.
The Decent News
Yohan Ramirez,Seattle Mariners
With the save on Wednesday, Ramirez now has three since September 5th. While two of them have been coming in and finishing games for other relievers that are in the process of blowing leads, I would say three saves in five days still makes him the closer. He has 22 strikeouts in just 14.2 innings, but he also has 15 walks. He has been getting the walks under control with five in his last 4.2 innings, and but that is still too high. The Mariners are actually doing better than we expected, and Yohan could possibly be a help to your roster in the next couple of weeks.
Greg Holland ,Kansas City Royals
He has a fairly tenuous hold on the job, but as of now he still has the job. He worked back to back days on Tuesday and Wednesday, collecting a win and a save for his efforts. With that work, obviously you are likely to see Scott Barlow if a save chance comes up on Thursday, but for right now it appears that Holland has a fingertip hold on the job after Barlow has allowed runs in two of his last three appearances.
Tony Watson ,San Francisco Giants
This situation is a bit up in the air still, but it appears that Watson is in the driver’s seat at the moment. Tyler Rogers, who I really like, did get a save on the 6th, but Watson collected them on the 5th and the 8th. Complicating it a little more, Sam Coonrod got the save on the 9th. However, in that case Watson had pitched three of the last four days and likely needed the rest. Watson isn’t a dominant pitcher (which is why I like Rogers), but he is getting the job done and has only allowed three earned runs this year. If you are trying to get a piece of the Giants bullpen, this is your guy.
The Very Bad News
Felix Peña , Los Angeles Angels
What in the world are the Angels going to do? Pena was just working himself into the job after Ty Buttrey was blowing saves, and he has just been downright awful his last two times out. The guy has allowed five earned runs in his last two appearances, including being unable to get an out the last time he took the mound. The Angels haven’t been in a close game since then, but do they go back to Buttrey? Hansel Robles ? His ERA is 12.00. Maybe Cam Bedrosian gets a shot? The Angels aren’t winning many games anyway, so you are best served to just stay away from this situation entirely.
Hunter Harvey , Baltimore Orioles
He hasn’t been put in a save situation since his return, but Wednesday night he came into a tie game in the bottom of the eighth against the Mets and proceeded to allow the winning home run to Pete Alonso . Now, there is no shame in allowing a dinger to the Polar Bear, but that was the most high leverage situation Harvey had been in and he failed. This could keep Tanner Scott in the ninth inning for a little longer, and with only three weeks left, Harvey’s value could have possibly disappeared with that one long ball.
Brandon Kintzler , Miami Marlins
He has been one of the most reliable closers in 2020, but the wheels have fallen off for Kintzler in the last few days. Wednesday, he blew his third straight save, and this one might get him removed from the role. Nick Vincent came in and closed the game, pitching for the third day in a row. He might need a day off after that, but you can consider Vincent the closer going forward. He doesn’t have good strikeout numbers, but if you are looking for saves with so little time left, he could be a productive pickup.
