Fantasy Baseball Bullpen Report: August 30

Each week I will breakdown closers and middle relievers in many different ways to provide you with all the information you need to have a successful fantasy bullpen.

Closers in Flux

Will Smith (65% owned) – Smith has done a really good job as the Giants closer and overall this year. However, it appears he is losing his grip on the job, with Melancon recording two saves this week and Hunter Strickland also recording one of his own. For now, Smith is still the best bet for who the Giants will use going forward, but don’t be surprised if this turns into a mix and match committee. It is rough news for owners counting on Smith as we head into fantasy baseball playoffs, especially since he hasn’t done anything wrong to warrant losing the job (eight straight outings without an earned run against).

Quick Hits

• 8/23 Pat Neshek converted his fourth save of the year.
• 8/24 Zach Britton gave up a run, but stil was able to notch an extra-inning save.... Adam Conley picked up a save, Drew Steckenrider was used in the eighth.
• 8/25 Mark Melancon recorded the final out in relief of Smith for his second save of the year.... Dellin Betances picked up a save, his first of the year.... Marlins reliever’s flipped roles a day later; Steckrider notched the save with Conley being used in a setup role.... Edwin Díaz converted save number 50!
• 8/26 Melancon nailed down a save for the second straight day.... David Robertson picked up a save.
• 8/27 Justin Miller was used in a closing role and nailed down his first save of the year.... Hunter Strickland recorded an out and picked up a save in doing so.
• 8/28 Greg Holland converted his first save for the Nationals.
• 8/29 Kenta Maeda notched a save, his first of the year.

Blown Saves

*Top 10

*Note: I track blown saves that happened by guys who were brought into finish the game. Such as guys in the closer role, or other pitchers who were brought in late in the game. A guy who picks up a “blown save,” for example, in the 6^th inning is very irrelevant in my opinion, when tracking fantasy assets.

Who’s Hot?

Jace Fry (15% owned) – There was only one strong performance this week from any of the closers and it came from Fry (who is kind of a closer and kind of not a closer). He pitched four times and picked up two saves while also picking up two holds. He struck out six across 4.1 shutout innings and has now made nine straight shutout appearances. With 62 strikeouts across 43.2 innings pitched and his recent success, if he is available he needs to be picked up even if he isn’t consistently being used as the closer.  The lefty has a 2.01 FIP, meaning his 3.71 ERA is a bit of a fluke and should continue to come down for the reminder of the season. His .176 BAA and 0.98 WHIP are both impressive marks and he has the looks of someone you can trust in any size league right now. YTD stats: 43.2 innings, 4 saves, 62 Ks, 3.71 ERA.

Who’s Cold?

Kenley Jansen (97% owned) – Jansen’s struggles continued this week as he pitched two times and blew his lone save chance. He gave up three runs across two innings pitched and hasn’t recorded a save since returning from the DL 10 days ago. He attributed his recent struggles to medicine he has been taking for his heart condition. Since returning from the DL, Jansen has given up 10 hits, four home runs, and seven earned runs across just four innings pitched. He has long been one of the game’s elite closers, but he is hard to trust right now. YTD stats: 58.1 innings, 32 saves, 66 Ks, 3.09 ERA.

Cody Allen (93% owned) – Allen, simply put, has not been good this year. This week was no different as he blew his only save chance and gave up four earned runs across two innings pitched. Over his last five outings, Allen has given up nine hits, two home runs, five walks, and six earned runs. His 4.66 ERA, 1.36 WHIP, and .237 BAA range between poor and atrocious. Maybe it’s been bad luck or bad fielding? Nope, his 5.00 FIP shows that if anything his ERA is better than it should be. He should NOT be the Indians closer and I am really unsure why he is still getting chances. Brad Hand has outperformed him all year and even more so since he joined Cleveland. Allen owners have to be very disappointed in him. YTD stats: 56.0 innings, 25 saves, 65 Ks, 4.66 ERA.

Middle Relievers of Note

This section will focus on closers in waiting or closer capable guys and how they are performing.

Brad Brach (39% owned) – The Braves closing gig is a pretty open door currently and Brach has closing experience and has also been lights out since joining Atlanta. Thus far in 14 games pitched for his “new” team, Brach has given up just one earned run across 12.2 innings pitched while striking out 14. His BAA with the Braves is sitting at .208, compared to the .303 mark he had while with the Orioles earlier this season. He is worth keeping an eye on in leagues without holds, as for holds leagues he is worth an add. He already has racked up seven of them since joining the club. YTD stats: 51.2 innings, 10 holds, 52 Ks, 3.83.

Holds

*Top 10

Stat Leaders

This simply provides the current top-5 closers in saves, strikeouts, ERA, and WHIP.  *I did not include Sean Doolittle or Brandon Morrow this week because of their extended DL stints.

Team Bullpen ERA

This section will look into the best and worst bullpens in the league, which can be helpful for DFS. If a team has a weak starting pitcher throwing that day and also a poor bullpen it can make for big days for hitters. A bad bullpen ERA also has an effect on how likely a starting pitcher is to pick up a win.

Recently Overworked

This highlights the bullpens that have been seeing both heavy usage and struggling over the last 7 days.

*Ownership percentages are based off Yahoo

Be sure to check out the Closer Grid which has regularly updated rankings. Also feel free to shoot me any questions on Twitter @JustinVreeland