We are now entering the stretch run for most fantasy leagues and the rankings are shaking up a bit as time is not what matters anymore, but rather results and potential for immediate impact.
Let’s see where we stand.
TIER 1: Cream of the Crop – This group is the cream of the crop. Ample opportunity for holds, high K-rates and low ERA’s make these guys a must own in any Holds league.
1. Dellin Betances (Yankees)
2. Tony Watson (Pirates) +1
3. Wade Davis (Royals) -1
. Joe Smith (Angels)
5. Pat Neshek (Astros)
6. Drew Storen (Nationals)
7. Sergio Romo (Giants)
TIER 2: Solid Performers – All excellent relievers, but whether it be their role or consistency, they aren’t quite on that elite level.
8. Kevin Siegrist (Cardinals)
9. Joaquin Benoit (Padres )
10. Kelvin Herrera (Royals)
11. Jim Johnson (Dodgers)
12. Joakim Soria (Pirates)
13. Jake McGee (Rays) +6
14. Justin Wilson (Yankees) +4
15. Kevin Jepsen (Twins) -1
16. Jared Hughes (Pirates) -1
17. Tyler Clippard (Mets)
18. Pedro Strop (Cubs) +5
19. Carter Capps (Marlins) -6
21. Aaron Sanchez (Blue Jays) UNRANKED
There is some potential for holds from this group, however don’t bet the farm on them being among the league leaders.
22. Zach Duke (White Sox) -1
23. Arquímedes Caminero (Pirates) -1
24. Will Smith (Brewers)
25. Darren O’Day (Orioles)
Moving On Up
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Tony Watson slides into number two on our list, not because
Wade Davis is currently dealing with a back issue, but because he leads the league in holds with 27 and shows no signs of slowing down.
–
Jake McGee has been outstanding of late , however it does not seem that he is any real threat to
Brad Boxberger for the closers role. As a result, McGee gets bumped up to number thirteen and could be moving even higher before years end.
–
Justin Wilson has firmly entrenched himself in
Joe Girardi’s circle of trust in the Yankees bullpen. Wilson comes in out of the pen firing bee bees, and his ability to get both lefties and righties out has made him a favorite for the Yankees manager.
– Just when you think he is fading away,
Pedro Strop makes himself relevant again by notching six holds in the last two weeks. Expect this hot streak to continue.
–
Aaron Sanchez is finding a home in the Jays bullpen after struggling as a starter earlier in the year. Armed with tremendous potential, expect Sanchez to dominate again like he did last September out of the pen.
Falling Down
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Carter Capps has not had any setbacks, but has been a bit slower than expected in recovering from the elbow injury that landed him on the DL. A late August target return date limits his upside.
– Even though he blew his first two opportunities,
Junichi Tazawa seems the most likely to be the closer in Boston. Either way, expect his chances to diminish now that Uehara is injured.
