Fantasy Baseball Saves + Holds Rankings & Waiver Wire Targets (Week 19)

We’ve had a lot of stability in these bullpens throughout the year, but it feels like things have been falling apart since the All-Star break. A handful of teams simply don’t have a closer right now. I can’t tell you how many waiver wire moves I’ve made to try to figure out who the guy is in each pen.

With that said, let’s get started and look at some of the developments.

• Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Advice
• Fantasy Baseball Trade Advice
• Fantasy Baseball Start/Sit Lineup Advice
• Rest-of-Season Rankings
• Rest-of-Season Projections

Saves + Holds Rankings & Waiver Wire Targets (Week 19)

Closer Situations to Watch

These are bullpens we need to monitor.

Arizona Diamondbacks

Arizona traded for Paul Sewald at last year’s deadline to secure the closer’s gig, but they removed him from that role last week. Sewald had a 10.80 ERA and 2.20 WHIP during July, but this pen has plenty of other options. Kevin Ginkel, Ryan Thompson, Justin Martinez and A.J. Puk are all candidates for saves, with Martinez recording the last two saves.

Baltimore Orioles

Craig Kimbrel has struggled recently, blowing two saves in his last eight appearances. That forced Yennier Cano into the team’s most recent save situation. This is a situation worth monitoring. We still believe Kimbrel is the guy, but Cano has been one of the best relievers over the last three years and could steal this gig if Kimbrel continues to struggle.

Chicago White Sox

I hate to say this, but who cares? This team lost 21 straight games. It wouldn’t be surprising if they finished the rest of the year with 10 wins over the final two months. They traded their closer at the deadline and it looks like John Brebbia is next in line. Just be aware that with how bad this team is you’ll only get a handful of saves for the remainder of the season.

Detroit Tigers

This Detroit situation sucks. Jason Foley leads the team with 15 saves but hasn’t recorded one since July 10. That’s a month-long stretch, with Beau Brieske, Tyler Holton and Shelby Miller all getting save chances since then. It’s nearly impossible to know who’s next, but we still assume Foley is the top pick despite the month-long stretch without a save.

Kansas City Royals

James McArthur has blown his chance to be the closer, accruing a 14.29 ERA and 2.12 WHIP across his last six appearances. That role was already hanging on a thread when they traded for Hunter Harvey and Lucas Erceg because they have both been dominant this season. We’ll talk about one of them later.

Los Angeles Angels

Carlos Estevez was shipped off to Philly at the deadline, which forced Hunter Strickland into the first two save chances. The former closer blew his most recent opportunity, which allowed Ben Joyce to get the most recent save. Joyce has some nasty stuff with his 105 miles per hour (MPH) fastball and has to be the favorite for saves as we advance.

Los Angeles Dodgers

Guessing who will get the next save chance for L.A. is like playing the lottery. We’ve seen almost every reliever get a save chance over the last two months because Evan Phillips has lost his grip on this closer gig. With that said, Daniel Hudson has been the best pitcher out of the pen and recorded a save in his most recent outing. He’s not got five saves over his last nine appearances and will hopefully run away with this job.

Miami Marlins

Miami is the second-worst team in baseball and got much worse when they traded their closer at the deadline. Tanner Scott was one of the best relievers before that trade, and we’ve only seen two save chances since then. Andrew Nardi was our pick to become the closer, but he was the setup man for Calvin Faucher in both of those saves. Anthony Bender is also in the mix, but we’d advise against picking up any of these players.

Philadelphia Phillies

Jose Alvarado and Jeff Hoffman have been splitting saves all season, but the trade for Carlos Estevez hopefully ended this committee. The one issue is that Philly has been terrible since the break, with Estevez yet to record a save for his new team. With that said, he’s been pitching the ninth inning in nearly every game he’s featured, allowing zero runs across his last 23 innings. He’s probably the closer, but we can’t be sure until we see it.

My Saves/Holds Rankings

Relievers on the Rise

Hunter Harvey (RP -KC)

The Royals have been trying to get away from James McArthur, and Hunter Harvey looks like the best bet for saves. He recorded the most recent save for Kansas City and has been sent out in back-to-back save opportunities. He did blow the first chance, but seeing him sent out for another opportunity is extremely encouraging. This guy has a 3.29 ERA and 1.12 WHIP over the last three years and could run away with this gig if he locks down the next save chance.

Justin Martinez (RP – ARI)

We’re not sure who will get the saves with Paul Sewald getting demoted, but Justin Martinez has the two most recent opportunities. Martinez is your stereotypical closer with a 100 MPH fastball, a 2.01 ERA, a 1.20 WHIP and a 10.8 K/9 rate.

Potential Holds Specialists

JoJo Romero, Aroldis Chapman, Tanner Scott, David Robertson, Scott Barlow, Matt Moore, Bryan Abreu, Yennier Cano, Hunter Gaddis

Potential Closers on the IL

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

Jordan Romano (RP – TOR): Jordan Romano had elbow surgery before the break and could be out for the rest of the season.

Trevor Megill (RP – MIL): Trevor Megill lost the closer’s gig to Devin Williams and is now on the injured list (IL) with a back issue.

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