Fantasy Baseball Saves + Holds Rankings & Waiver Wire Targets (Week 7)

We didn’t have many closer developments over the last two weeks, but that wasn’t the case this week. One of the top closers landed on the injured list (IL), while one of the best teams in the National League crowned a new closer. Two elite closers are returning from the IL. We have a ton to discuss.

With that in mind, let’s dive into the bullpen news for this week.

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Saves + Holds Rankings & Waiver Wire Targets (Week 7)

Closer Situations to Watch

These are bullpens we need to monitor.

Arizona Diamondbacks

Paul Sewald made his long-awaited return on Tuesday, entering the ninth inning with a five-run lead. We believe he’ll return to closer duties with Kevin Ginkel returning to a set-up role. We likely won’t have Arizona in this section next week unless Ginkel picks up the next save chance.

Chicago Cubs

This is also likely the last week for the Cubs. Adbert Alzolay lost this job a few weeks ago to Hector Neris, who has six saves and a win in his last eight appearances. He picked up over 25 saves in two seasons with the Phillies. You stumbled into a gem if you scooped him off the waiver wire.

Chicago White Sox

The worst teams in baseball are always the most difficult to figure out because they don’t get many save chances. That’s what we’ve seen from the White Sox, recording just nine wins. They only have five saves as a team, with Michael Kopech picking up three. We assume he’s the guy, but nobody on this team will likely reach 20 saves, so it’s a situation worth avoiding.

Colorado Rockies

It’s funny we have these teams back-to-back because these are the two worst teams in baseball by a significant margin. Colorado’s situation has been just as murky, but it’s even more difficult since they have the worst ERA and WHIP in the league. Justin Lawrence appears to be the go-to guy, recording two saves and a win in his last five appearances. If you’re desperate for saves, Lawrence is the best bet for saves and is probably available in your league.

Detroit Tigers

We didn’t expect to see the Tigers back in this section, but here we are. Alex Lange picked up the team’s most recent save and was featured in the ninth inning on Tuesday with a four-run lead. That’s usually where you see the closer, but Jason Foley has allowed nine hits and four runs across his last four outings. Lange was the closer last season and could steal this job if Foley doesn’t step up soon. It might already be too late, so pick up Lange before more people realize this hierarchy is changing once again.

Los Angeles Angels

Carlos Estevez led the team with 31 saves last season and has all six saves this year. However, he’s had an 11.57 ERA across his last five appearances, blowing two saves in that span. We expect Estevez to get the next chance, but those are rare, given how bad Los Angeles is playing right now. This is a situation we’d advise staying away from.

Los Angeles Dodgers

Evan Phillips is one of the best closers in baseball, but he’ll be on the IL for the next two weeks due to a hamstring strain. That should leave a few saves on the table for the best team in the National League. Daniel Hudson appears to be next in line, but we saw Alex Vesia get the first chance. That was a platoon thing against left-handers, so look for this to be a committee until Phillips is ready to return in two weeks.

Milwaukee Brewers

This team has already gone through three closers. Abner Uribe picked up the first three saves but is in Triple-A after a nightmarish run. Joel Payamps was next in line, but Trevor Megill has had two saves since coming off the IL. We believe Megill will get the next opportunity because he’s only allowed one run this year. At least we know it’s just between Payamps and Megill.

Philadelphia Phillies

Jose Alvarado is the de facto closer, but this team is happy to go with anyone. Alvarado leads the team with seven saves, but three other guys have two saves apiece — Jeff Hoffman, Gregory Soto and Orion Kerkering. We expect Alvarado to get the bulk of saves moving forward. If he gets the next few chances we can remove Philadelphia from this section.

Tampa Bay Rays

Pete Fairbanks landed on the IL due to nerve issues a few weeks ago, but he’s starting a rehab assignment this week. That means he could be in action when the following article is published, but we wouldn’t be so quick to drop Jason Adam. He had 12 saves and 11 holds last year, picking up two saves and two wins across his last six appearances. He’s also got a 2.15 ERA and 0.87 WHIP across the last three years and needs to be rostered everywhere, no matter what. Don’t be surprised if he has this job for the remainder of the season based on how Fairbanks looked early on.

My Saves/Holds Rankings

Relievers on the Rise

Trevor Megill (MIL)

Milwaukee has been trying to find a closer fill-in all season for Devin Williams, and it appears they’ve found their guy. Trevor Megill started the season on the IL, but he’s only allowed one run across 7.2 innings since his return. He’s also picked up two saves in his last three appearances and has the nastiest stuff in this pen.

Alex Lange (DET)

Jason Foley is starting to falter and Alex Lange has been mowing down batters at will. Lange has only allowed one run this year, providing a 0.75 ERA, 0.92 WHIP and 11.5 K/9 rate. He also picked up the team’s most recent save and appeared in the ninth inning with a four-run lead on Tuesday. He led the team in saves last year and could steal this job back.

Potential Closers on the IL

Felix Bautista (BAL): The O’s closer is out for the year after Tommy John surgery.

Devin Williams (MIL): Williams is still expected to miss at least a month because of his back issue.

Pete Fairbanks (TB): Fairbanks landed on the IL due to a nerve issue, but he resumed a rehab assignment on Tuesday. He should be back by the time our next article is published.

Evan Phillips (LAD): The Dodgers closer will be on the IL for the next two weeks due to a hammy strain. It’s not expected to be a long-term issue, though, with Phillips projected to return when he’s first eligible.

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Joel Bartilotta is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Josh, check out his archive and follow him @Bartilottajoel.