While holds are even tougher to predict than saves, the players we’ll highlight today include some elite setup men that have proven to be closer candidates to target off the waiver wire for Week 10 of the fantasy baseball season.

The more likely a team is to win, the more likely a pitcher will be eligible to earn the holds that could be the difference between winning or losing in your fantasy league. Bear in mind, an effective relief pitcher highlighted today could find himself in a closer's role if the everyday closer is unavailable or recently ineffective.

Editor’s Note: RotoBaller’s fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups list is updated every single day. Our awesome writers bring you analysis on hot or emerging starting pitchers, and also all other fantasy positions. You can also download our waiver wire iPhone app for free, and easily stay updated.

 

Week 11 Bullpen Waiver Wire Pickups

Brandon Kintzler, Minnesota Twins

1 Save, 1 Hold, 2.30 ERA, 15.2 IP, 11 K, 0.96 WHIP

The Minnesota Twins continue rotating in candidates to close out wins. Despite seven saves, Kevin Jepsen and his 6.17 ERA proved ineffective. Manager Paul Molitor announced that Kintzler and Fernando Abad will split closer duties moving forward. The righty of the closing duo, Kintzler has opponents hitting .241 against him. Already in a pitcher-friendly ballpark, Kintzler generates 67.4% ground balls with his 92.4 MPH sinker used 86.3% of the time. Being right-handed, Kintzler will likely see more save opportunities than Abad.

Will Harris, Houston Astros

2 Saves, 15 Holds, 0.33 ERA, 27.2 IP, 30 K, 0.73 WHIP

Three weeks ago, Harris was suggested in this column as a top reliever target. Now, Harris is arguably the hottest bullpen add of the week. The Astros' closer situation has been precarious all year after Ken Giles failed to deliver early on and Luke Gregerson began to struggle as well. Now Harris, who has the second-lowest ERA in MLB among all qualifying relievers (behind only Fernando Rodney's 0.00 ERA) will get a shot to save games. He has yet to allow a home run this season and his ratios speak for themselves. Harris will not exclusively hold the job, so expect a mix of saves and holds from here on out. Whether or not Harris can sustain his incredible success remains to be seen, but he certainly shouldn't be doubted much longer.

Jason Motte, Colorado Rockies

0 Saves, 0 Holds, 3.00 ERA, 6.0 IP, 5 K, 1.17 WHIP

Don't let the numbers fool you; reliever Jason Motte just recently returned from injury. Once a closer with 42 saves, Jason Motte becomes an immediate threat to unseat Jake McGee from the closer's role. While McGee does have 15 saves, opponents are hitting .286 off the power lefty. Early on, Motte has looked to keep the ball on the ground at a 55.6% rate. In his career, Motte is a fly ball pitcher so the ground ball rate will be expected to decrease over time. The fastball, cutter pitcher could see problems in Coors Field if he returns to his career averages. Motte is an eight-year veteran that has been great in the past. McGee has struggled at times this year so do not be surprised if Motte gets a chance once he settles in.

Gavin Floyd, Toronto Blue Jays

0 Saves, 3 Holds, 4.88 ERA, 24.0 IP, 26 K, 1.13 WHIP

Toronto Blue Jays closer Roberto Osuna is doing a fine job (13 saves, 1.65 ERA) this year. Despite blowing his second save of the season this week, injuries could be the bigger issue for the 21-year-old. In May, Osuna dealt with a minor groin injury that made him unavailable to pitch. Injuries can linger or reoccur. Normally former closers would get the first look at spot closing opportunities, but Jason Grilli was hit hard in Atlanta to begin this season and Drew Storen has pitched to a 6.64 ERA. Starter-turned-reliever Gavin Floyd had a pair of bad outings lately but the Blue Jays trust him to handle late inning roles, with more than half of his appearances coming in the last three innings of the game. Opponents are hitting .222 against Floyd and are putting 50.0% of batted balls on the ground. Floyd traded in his cutter for a curveball and is striking out more than a batter per inning as a reliever this year. Storen and Grilli have the closer experience but Floyd may be the go-to guy for saves this year if Osuna proves to be unavailable over the course of the year.

Hunter Strickland, San Francisco Giants

1 Save, 6 Holds, 3.22 ERA, 22.1 IP, 24 K, 1.12 WHIP

Closer Santiago Casilla has blown four saves this year. The Giants bullpen as a whole have been struggling this year. While the front office looks to outside sources for stability, reliever Hunter Strickland can stabilize the end of the game. Strickland is generating 54.1% ground balls in an already pitcher-friendly ballpark. Strickland has opponents hitting to a .232 batting average on his fastball, slider combination. Casilla does not appear likely to lose his job but Strickland is the likely candidate for save opportunities if Casilla is unavailable or ineffective.

Shawn Kelley, Washington Nationals

0 Saves, 5 Holds, 3.05 ERA, 20.2 IP, 29 K, 0.97 WHIP

With 364 career saves, Jonathan Papelbon is highly unlikely to lose his hold on the closer's job in Washington, although he has blown two saves this year. Many of his saves have been far from easy as well. Reliever Shawn Kelley is making a strong bid earn save chances should Papelbon struggle further. Kelley is striking out more than a batter per inning. A regular fastball/slider user, Kelley is holding opponents to a .200 batting average. Until the end of May, Kelley was pitching to a 0.00 ERA. The ERA of a reliever can easily balloon from one bad outing, so look for Kelley to bounce back and secure holds as he also auditions for potential save opportunities.

 

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