Tyler Clippard could be someone who is likely still sitting on your waiver wire (just 19% rostered in Yahoo leagues) who could help in the short term for saves. For those desperate to win this week and next, Clippard makes for an intriguing investment as the team gets the Mariners twice and Rangers once (albeit for eight games total). However, after that, things get dicey as they have five series against playoff teams through the end of September. It’s worth mentioning that Noé Ramirez added a save this past week and would be the best bet to replace Clippard, should he falter, at this point.
Notes
- After tier three, it’s basically time to just throw darts I feel. The Cardinals removed Alex Reyes from the closer role and plan to go with a committee approach based on matchups, with Giovanny Gallegos picking up the first save last night. While Reyes has struggled recently, he’s had a great season and could work his way back into the conversation. Génesis Cabrera should also be in the mix for left-handed heavy parts of the lineup.
- Joe Barlow returned from the injured list and stepped right back into the closer role, picking up his third save of the season last night. There’s no real competition for him in that role going forward, but the Rangers do have a tough playoff schedule (OAK, HOU, CWS, NYY) with the exception of a series with the Orioles.
- Adam Ottavino has recorded two saves over the last week as he replaces Matt Barnes who not only was removed from the closer role, but also landed on the COVID IL. There’s certainly a chance Ottavino doesn’t look back here and finishes the season as the Red Sox closer. However, despite all of Barnes’s issues, I still see him as the best option for the Red Sox as long as he is healthy.
- Andrew Chafin and Sergio Romo have each added a save this past week as Lou Trivino has been removed from the A’s closer role. There’s likely to be some sort of committee between those two and possibly Jake Diekman going forward, but Chafin to me presents the best option.
- Andrew Kittredge picked up a pair of two-inning saves this past week, which is great but that came before Pete Fairbanks and J.P. Feyereisen returned from the IL. Nick Anderson and Matt Wisler are also due back in the next week, so speculate at your own risk here.
- Ian Kennedy is hanging onto the closer role in Philadelphia by a thread at this point, with one more poor outing possibly being the end of the line. Kennedy has a 6.30 ERA over his first ten innings with the Phillies.
- The Reds continue to mix up their late-inning looks on a week-to-week basis, but it appears Mychal Givens may have surpassed Michael Lorenzen again on the depth chart. While those two are the favorites for saves going forward, it’s worth mentioning Lucas Sims has put together three perfect outings in a row while striking out four.
- Carlos Estévez seems to have overtaken Daniel Bard as the Rockies closer and while there is a lot to like in Estévez’s profile, he’s been far too inconsistent at this point in his career/season to trust in Coors.
| Rank | Pitcher | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Josh HaderT1 | - |
| 2 | Liam Hendriks | - |
| 3 | Ryan Pressly | - |
| 4 | Raisel Iglesias | - |
| 5 | Edwin Díaz | - |
| 6 | Kenley JansenT2 | - |
| 7 | Emmanuel Clase | - |
| 8 | Jordan Romano | - |
| 9 | Aroldis ChapmanT3 | - |
| 10 | Will Smith | - |
| 11 | Jake McGee | - |
| 12 | Mark Melancon | - |
| 13 | Paul SewaldT4 | +2 |
| 14 | Giovanny Gallegos | +UR |
| 15 | Scott Barlow | +1 |
| 16 | David Bednar | +1 |
| 17 | Joe Barlow | +UR |
| 18 | Adam Ottavino | +UR |
| 19 | Andrew Chafin | +UR |
| 20 | Gregory Soto | +1 |
| 21 | Andrew KittredgeT5 | +UR |
| 22 | Ian Kennedy | -4 |
| 23 | Mychal Givens | +UR |
| 24 | Kyle Finnegan | -2 |
| 25 | Alex Colomé | -2 |
| 26 | Dylan Floro | - |
| 27 | Tyler Clippard | -2 |
| 28 | Carlos Estévez | +UR |
| 29 | Rowan WickT6 | -1 |
| 30 | Cole Sulser | - |
Stash List
| Rank | Pitcher | Team | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Drew Steckenrider | Seattle | With Castillo out, expect Sewald and Steckenrider to split the save chances. |
| 2. | Nick Anderson / Pete Fairbanks | Tampa Bay | Anderson’s rehab has been rocky so far. Fairbanks could still slide into the role. |
| 3. | Héctor Neris / José Alvarado | Philadelphia | Neris has been awesome over his last 20+ IP, and Alvarado got the last save. |
| 4. | Sergio Romo / Jake Diekman | Oakland | With Trivino out, expect some sort of committee with Chafin and these two. |
| 5. | Alex Reyes / Génesis Cabrera | St. Louis | Reyes is out for the time being but tough to trust anyone here outside of Gallegos. |
| 6. | Matt Barnes | Boston | Recently put on COVID IL after being replaced as closer, not ready to count out yet. |
| 7. | Lucas Sims / Michael Lorenzen | Cincinnati | As it’s been all season long, who knows who will close out games here. |
| 8. | Michael Fulmer | Detroit | Fulmer continues to be the right-handed complement to Soto. |
| 9. | Anthony Bender | Miami | Struggling a bit in August, but he still has more upside than Floro. |
| 10. | Chris Stratton | Pittsburgh | Bednar is still my favorite option here, but Stratton seems to be in the mix as well. |
Photo by Bob Kupbens/Icon Sportswire | Adapted by Justin Paradis (@JustParaDesigns on Twitter)
Though the Cub’s situation is obviously messy, it’s a bit surprising to see Wick still listed here, as he hasn’t pitched past the seventh inning yet.
And of course he makes a fool out of me by getting the save tonight :)