Relievers To Stream for Wins and Saves – 9/7

With the MLB season in full swing, some bullpen hierarchies have become a lot clearer, while others have become muddled. Though some managers may keep fantasy owners guessing, it is important to at least have an idea of who has a chance at a save, and who is most likely not even going to appear in a game today. Don’t sleep on saves! In a shortened season, they all count that much more.

Notes

• Few teams get Monday off, so no need to consider those bullpen arms. Orioles, Red Sox, White Sox, Angels, Reds, Brewers, Pirates, and Dodgers will all get a day of rest.
• The Cardinals tabbed Giovanny Gallegos to close out their four-run lead on the Cubs, which he did in short order. Though it wasn’t a save situation, it was nice to see Gallegos continue to be consistent in the 9th inning.
• Yoshihisa Hirano picked up his first save of the season, striking out three and allowing a solo home run in the ninth inning against Texas on Sunday. Hirano was the favorite for saves after Taylor Williams was traded and should continue to see the bulk of the opportunities for Seattle for the rest of the season.
• The Padres again went with Trevor Rosenthal to close out a two-run lead over the Athletics on Sunday. He did just so, recording his eighth save on the year, and should be considered the set closer for the Padres at this point, especially after seeing Drew Pomeranz being used to set him up in the eighth.
• After picking up a save on Thursday, Félix Peña has allowed a combined five earned runs between his outings on Saturday and Sunday, the latter which was seen in the seventh inning. Ty Buttrey was used to close out the four-run lead in the ninth for the Angels on Sunday and did so easily enough, striking out two.
• Tyler Rogers recorded his third save on the season for the Giants, striking out two batters of his own on Sunday. Tony Watson was used to set him up in the eighth after recording a save himself on Saturday. It seems Gabe Kapler may be swapping these two around based on handedness matchups, making this situation murkier than we’d like. Both Watson and Rogers have pitched in back-to-back games, so it’s anyone’s guess who gets the save opportunity for the Giants on Monday. Keep an eye on Sam Coonrod to get another shot if needed.
• The Tigers used Bryan Garcia in the ninth to close out their two-run lead over the Twins on Sunday. He allowed a hit and recorded no strikeouts or runs and closed out the game to record his first save of the year. Gregory Soto had been used in the previous two games, though he only threw a combined 23 pitches between his two outings.
• Greg Holland was used to close out the sixth inning for the Royals as they were down two runs to the White Sox. Holland recorded the final out of the inning and did not return for the seventh. Holland should continue to see save opportunities as they arise in Kansas City.
• Richard Rodríguez pitched a perfect ninth with his team down one run against the Reds on Sunday, and the Pirates rewarded him with a win after scoring two in the bottom of the inning off Cincinnati closer Raisel Iglesias. This was just the second blown save on the year for Iglesias, but one has to wonder how tight his leash with Archie Bradley now in the Reds’ bullpen.
• Remember when it was thought Brad Hand was done at the closer in Cleveland? Well, his 11th save on the season proves that was a bit premature, even back then. That’s two days in a row for Hand, so he very well might not be the closer for the Indians on Monday. With James Karinchak struggling as of late, look for Nick Wittgren to get the call in the ninth, if needed, on Monday.
• Brandon Kintzler recorded his first blown save on the season, giving up two runs in the bottom of the 10th inning. This shouldn’t stop Miami from turning to Kintzler for their next save opportunity.
• Rafael Dolis got the save for the Blue Jays on Sunday, his second on the year. Anthony Bass was presumably unavailable after pitching in the previous two games, and three of the last four.
• Daniel Bard picked up his sixth save for the Rockies late Sunday night, walking two and striking out one. Newcomer Mychal Givens was used to set Bard up in the eighth after the Rockies took a one-run lead and pitched a one-hit inning. Carlos Estévez was used as the first reliever out of the pen, finishing off the fifth and staying through the sixth, but gave up a two-run home run in the process.