Fantasy Baseball Saves + Holds Rankings & Waiver Wire Targets (Week 20)

These last two weeks have been chaotic from a bullpen standpoint. The trade deadline started the mayhem, and the blender has been thoroughly blasted since then. We still have nearly 10 teams that don’t have a designated closer, but things are creeping in the right direction.

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 20)

Closer Situations to Watch

These are bullpens we need to monitor.

Arizona Diamondbacks

This is probably the last time we’ll have Arizona in here because Justin Martinez is one of our best recommendations for the season. The hard-throwing righty has taken over since Paul Sewald was removed as the closer, recording three saves and a win in his last four appearances. He was also featured in the ninth inning of all of those and has your stereotypical “closer stuff.”

Baltimore Orioles

This is a difficult situation to get a read on. Craig Kimbrel was brilliant through the opening months with 23 saves, but he hasn’t picked one up since July 7. He also has an 8.31 ERA and 2.31 WHIP across his last nine appearances, with Yennier Cano and Seranthony Dominguez picking up saves since then. Dominguez is our bet for the next chance because he’s been pitching the ninth inning recently.

Chicago White Sox

This team doesn’t even have 30 wins. They might reach 100 losses before 30 victories, which is sad for Chicago fans. That’s why we don’t want to worry about this bullpen, mainly since they traded Michael Kopech at the deadline. John Brebbia has received the only save chance since that move, but he blew it. Please don’t waste a roster spot on this bullpen.

Detroit Tigers

Out of every team in baseball, I genuinely have no idea who will get the next save for the Tigers. Jason Foley leads the team with 15 saves but hasn’t picked one up since July 10. We’ve seen guys like Shelby Miller, Tyler Holton, Will Vest and Beau Brieske get chances since then, but none have more than two saves since June 30.

This is truly a committee at this point, and we’d advise against rostering any of these guys. If you made me choose, Holton looks like the best bet because he’s the only one with two saves over the last month.

Kansas City Royals

James McArthur was horrid as the closer, forcing the Royals to change hands. It looked like Hunter Harvey would run away with the gig, but an injured list (IL) stint changed those plans. That leaves Lucas Erceg as the only true option left, and it would be shocking if he didn’t receive the next opportunity. We’ll talk more about him later on.

Los Angeles Angels

With Carlos Estevez sent to Philly, it was up to Hunter Strickland and Ben Joyce to take over the closing duties. Strickland quickly blew his opportunity, while Joyce converted the most recent save chance. Joyce has the stereotypical closer stuff and has compiled a 1.05 ERA and 1.05 WHIP over his last 21 appearances. He will run away with this job if he converts the next couple of opportunities.

Los Angeles Dodgers

It’s rare to see such a dominant team use so many relievers as closers, but Evan Phillips threw this bullpen into the blender. His struggles have forced numerous players to pick up saves, but Daniel Hudson is finally taking a grasp on this gig. He has a 2.02 ERA and 0.86 WHIP, recording a save in six of his last 11 appearances. We’re hopeful this is his job, but trusting the Dodgers has been killing fantasy managers all season.

Miami Marlins

This is the last time we’ll have Miami in this section because they appear to have a closer. Tanner Scott was traded at the deadline, but Calvin Faucher has been pitching the ninth inning since that transaction, recording the last two saves for the Marlins. With that said, this is a terrible team, and this guy could go weeks without a save despite gaining a grasp on the role.

Pittsburgh Pirates

This is not a team we expected to see here, but David Bednar is starting to worry us. He’s got two losses and two blown saves in his last three appearances, allowing a run in five straight outings. That has his season ERA up to 5.75, and it’s getting sketchy since Aroldis Chapman is throwing 105 miles per hour (MPH) in a set-up role. We still expect Bednar to get the next chance, but another poor outing could force Chapman into a role he’s been accustomed to.

San Francisco Giants

This is also another team we never expected to see. Camilo Doval was shockingly sent to Triple-A after some nightmarish outings, collecting a 4.70 ERA and 1.61 WHIP. The good news is San Francisco blessed us by naming a closer, with Ryan Walker expected to take over that role.

He has a 2.17 ERA, 0.90 WHIP and 10.7 K/9 rate in a sparkling season and was one of the best waiver wire adds of the season this weekend. Hopefully, you guys acted fast and grabbed him because that news dropped too quickly for us to react in the weekly article.

My Saves/Holds Rankings

Relievers on the Rise

Lucas Erceg (RP – KC)

This should be Lucas Erceg’s job, with Hunter Harvey landing on the IL and James McArthur struggling. He was acquired from Oakland at the trade deadline and hasn’t allowed a run in 18 of his last 19 appearances. He also had five straight holds before picking up the team’s two most recent saves.

Calvin Faucher (RP – MIA)

Picking up Miami’s closer is like chewing on glass, but Calvin Faucher has been the guy since the Tanner Scott trade. Faucher hasn’t allowed a run in 12 of his last 13 appearances, recording the two most recent saves for the Marlins.

Seranthony Dominguez (RP – BAL)

With Craig Kimbrel struggling mightily, it looks like Seranthony Dominguez is starting to get all of the saves. He has two saves in his last two appearances and was a key acquisition at the trade deadline.

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 continues to rehab a back issue, but he’s lost the closer’s gig to Devin Williams anyway

Hunter Harvey (RP – KC): Hunter Harvey looked like he would take over as the closer, but a back issue sent him to the IL instead.

Subscribe: YouTube | Spotify | Apple Podcasts | iHeart | Castbox | Amazon Music | Podcast Addict | SoundCloud | TuneIn

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