X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Daily Stats & Leaders
All Pitcher Matchups
Compare Any Players
Compare Any Players
Rookies & Call-Ups
24x7 News and Alerts

2014 Fantasy Baseball: MLB Closers & Saves (AL Central)


KaepSupernicking

Hey Yo - how bout dem Niners! I will be Kaepernicking the whole way to a Super Bowl Victory ya’ll. I know, I know, I am supposed to be writing about fantasy baseball and closers or some shizz but I just can’t help myself, this is very exciting! As a Niners fan, the chance of getting to the Super Bowl in back to back years is special to watch, since we went through a decade of complete ineffectiveness. I have been betting throughout the playoffs, and happen to have an awesome record, but I will not disclose that information because I have not posted my picks before any of the games happened. Although I do have the text messages sent as proof, but that is beside the point.

By Mike Morbeck (Flickr: Colin Kaepernick) [CC-BY-SA-2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)], via Wikimedia CommonsThe San Francisco 49ers are heading into a hostile environment hosted by the Seattle Seahawks and their 12th Man. The last 2 times the 49ers played in Seattle they got demolished in every phase of the game. As of right now, the 49ers are 3.5 point underdogs in this rival/grudge match. But the 49ers are a different team now, with much better weapons than the Seahawks. The 49ers also have a better all-around defense in this meeting compared to the last time they played in Seattle. We as fans have witnessed this the last several years, where the hottest team at the end of the season and during the playoffs usually wins everything. Well folks, this year that team is the 49ers, and I’m not being biased as a fan. The main aspect that worries me about this game is the Seattle 12th man. This is a huge, huge advantage for the Seattle Seahawks. But the 49ers have the momentum, playoff experience, better defense, better offensive weapons and The X Factor in Colin Kaepernick. If Kaep can scramble and create space to run, in order to extend plays (which he has failed to do in the previous two meetings in Seattle), then the Niners win this game by at least a touchdown. But if Seattle is able to contain Kaep and keep him inside the pocket, then Seattle should sneak by with a field goal. This line of -3.5 could easily move to -4 by game time. Either way I am betting on the Niners to win, and if not win, at least cover the 3.5 points. Value bet!

My Pick  = SF +3.5

 

Denver vs. New England

Don’t worry, I will be writing about fantasy baseball closers shortly, but first I have to state my wager on the Denver/New England game. When betting on football games, or any sporting event for that matter, there are several statistics, trends, factors, advantages, disadvantages, weather conditions, injuries and so on to consider when contemplating your pick. But sometimes all it comes down to is a hunch, or just plain old good luck. If you take a look at the Denver/New England game there are a lot of similarities, with not many differences. Well there is one but I will touch on that in a little. Both defenses are pretty bad, and whichever of these teams win, I will pick the NFC team to win the Super Bowl, whether it is Seattle or San Francisco. So here is exactly how I see this game and how I am betting this game - call me crazy or call me what you want, but at the end of the day, I win.

rotoballer-fantasy-football-advice-TOM-BRADYActually before I do that, I want to make everyone aware that I am not your average public better nor am I a tout - this is all free. I do not bet based on team names or records for that matter. I know every player from each team, and I consider their strengths and weaknesses, but for this particular bet I am using the KISS format. For those of you that do not know what that means, it means Keep It Simple, Stupid. So here it goes. I see this game as Peyton Manning vs. Tom Brady because everything else pretty much equals out. I don’t care where the game is played, I will take Tom Brady over Peyton Manning every single time, and will probably win 8 or 9 times out of 10. I love them odds. Oh yeah, I forgot to mention that New England is getting 5 points - um, that is called value my friend. Tom Brady plus 5 points, all day, every day, money in da bank! As Adam Schein says, “Mark the Tape”. And if I am wrong then call me out, no issues.

My Pick = NE +5

 

Closer City - AL Central

This is my second of six preseason fantasy baseball "closers & saves" articles, based on MLB teams and their current closer situations in each of the divisions throughout MLB. The first week I focused on the American League East Closers, and this week I will turn my attention to the American League Central division. Each week I will try and discuss each closing situation within that specific MLB division. I mentioned in my last article that the discussion on each team will be pretty brief because of how early it is - I mean pitchers and catchers do not even report to spring training until the second week of February. When I discuss each team, I will dictate who I think the primary closer option is, the possible sleeper, and the dark horse sleeper for that given MLB team. Many of your corporate roto websites have great writers who write about closer carousels, and I will never dog them, but just remember this guy also.

You can continue to follow those writers, but please keep me in mind because I am the dark horse fantasy baseball sleeper analyst who will lead your team to victory in the saves category. Just ask those readers who followed me on RotoBaller last year. I get involved with other fantasy sports, but fantasy baseball is by far the best fantasy sport in the world, and my strong suit is closers. If you read my articles from last year then you know that I have steered you in the proper direction, but if for some reason you need further proof then I can also provide that information. The fluctuation of closers grows each year, and I follow relief pitchers closely, so trust me and let me guide your fantasy team in the saves category. On that note of trying to sell myself (which I am not good at because I am not a sales person), let’s get into the purpose of this whole article and talk about the closers or possible closers of the American League Central.

 

Yeoman’s Work

Detroit Tigers

On December 4th of 2013, the Tigers signed Joe Nathan for a two year deal pretty much sowing up the closer position in Detroit for the next two years. Joe Nathan should close out games solidly for the Detroit Tigers for the next 2 years, unless there is an injury or if for some reason he loses his confidence. The other in house options could be Bruce Rondon (throws hard but has no idea where it’s going) and Al Alburquerque. Al strikes out tons of batters, which represents a great closer quality, but the problem is that half the time nobody is sure where the ball is going. He walks batters in bunches, but if there was any way he could get his pitches under control then he could be a great closer and possible sleeper. Until then, so goes Joe.

 

Cleveland Indians

As of right now John Axford sits atop the depth chart as the Indians closer. Honestly, I do not see this panning out. Axford has only one solid year of closing under his belt, and some fantasy experts would consider that “closer experience.” Apparently, last year the Cardinals coaches fixed a flaw in Axford’s delivery which helped him finish out the 2013 strong. For his sake, I hope this is true and he continues to pitch well - but I am not buying him as a solid fantasy baseball closer in 2014 until I see it. Axford walks too many batters and is prone to giving up the long ball. I’d like to see the Indians choose Cody Allen as their preferred option to pitch the 9th, and I can see this happening once Axford proves that he is not a closer. The alternative options if neither of these guys can handle the job would be Bryan Shaw and Vinnie Pestano.

 

Kansas City Royals

By Keith Allison from Owings Mills, USA [CC-BY-SA-2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)], via Wikimedia CommonsGreg Holland dominated in his first full season as the Royals closer by saving 47 games and striking out 13.83 batters per 9 innings. At only 28 years old, he will undoubtedly be their closer again in 2014. The other in-house options, if Holland squanders, gets injured, or gets traded are: Aaron Crow, Luke Hochevar (assuming he stays in the pen) and the dark horse sleeper Kelvin Herrera.

 

Minnesota Twins

As one of the few left handed closers in the game, Glen Perkins pitched extremely well for the Twins Basil, Twins in 2013. He compiled 36 saves with an 11.18 K/9 rate last year. Perkins will once again be asked to work the 9th inning in the upcoming season. In theory he could be a candidate to be traded, if and when the Twins fall out of contention. If this comes into fruition then his replacement options are: Jared Burton, Casey Fien (sleeper), and Michael Tonkin (dark horse sleeper).

 

Chicago White Sox

On December 16th, the White Sox traded away their closer Addison Reed to the Arizona Diamondbacks and received third baseman Matt Davidson in return. Some may think this trade was a mistake, and that it would leave a glaring whole at the closer position for the White Sox. I personally think this was a very good move for the Chi-Sox and I believe they have 2 possible viable in-house options to replace Addison Reed. As of right now I am predicting that Nate Jones begins the season as their closer, but I could see Daniel Webb as the sleeper/dark horse sleeper to steal the job and keep it. I really like Webb’s upside, even with his limited Major League experience. The other two alternatives for saves in 2014 could be Matt Lindstrom and Ronald Belisario.




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Daily Stats & Leaders
All Pitcher Matchups
Compare Any Players
Compare Any Players
Rookies & Call-Ups
24x7 News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Pete Crow-Armstrong

Homers Twice, Drives in Three
Brice Matthews

Joining Astros
MLB

White Sox-Guardians Postponed on Thursday
Brandon Aiyuk

Likely to Begin Season on PUP List, but Not Ruled Out for Week 1
Jameson Williams

Not in the Team's Long-Term Plans?
Tallison Teixeira

Set For His First UFC Main Event
Micah Parsons

Plans to be Present for Start of Training Camp
Derrick Lewis

Set To Headline UFC Nashville
Ikem Ekwonu

Next Up for Extension in Carolina?
Jalen Thompson

Heading into Last Year With Cardinals?
Gabriel Bonfim

Looks For His Third UFC Win
Najee Harris

Suffers Eye Injury in Fireworks Mishap
Stephen Thompson

Returns At UFC Nashville
Steve Garcia

Looks To Extend His Win Streak
Calvin Kattar

In Dire Need Of Victory
Morgan Charrière

Morgan Charriere A Favorite At UFC Nashville
Nate Landwehr

Aims To Bounce Back
MMA

Austen Lane Looks To Get Back In The Win Column
Vitor Petrino

Set For His Heavyweight Debut
Tuco Tokkos

Set To Open Up UFC Nashville Main Card
Junior Tafa

Set For Light-Heavyweight Bout
Alex Bregman

Will Return to Red Sox This Weekend
Chris Sale

Braves Won't Consider Trading Chris Sale
Clarke Schmidt

to Undergo Season-Ending Elbow Surgery on Friday
Nick Nash

Unlikely to Make Falcons Active Roster
Lane Johnson

in No Rush To Retire
Jalen Williams

Signs Contract Extension With Thunder
Blake Corum

has "Gotten His Speed Back"
Jarquez Hunter

Picking Up Rams Offense Quickly
Alijah Martin

Agrees to Two-Way Deal With Raptors
Tristan Vukcevic

Set to Return to Washington
Kirk Cousins

Feels Misled by Falcons
Bijan Robinson

Says Falcons Have "Outlandish Goals" for the Running Game
Luther Burden III

Bears Expect Luther Burden III to be Ready for Training Camp
Cole Kmet

an Unlikely Trade Piece
Tony Pollard

Titans Hope to Balance Rushing Attack With Tony Pollard, Tyjae Spears
Byron Buxton

Sitting Thursday
Quentin Johnston

Not Assured of Starting Role
Cordarrelle Patterson

on the Roster Bubble in Pittsburgh?
Shedeur Sanders

Not Assured of Roster Spot in Cleveland?
Wan'Dale Robinson

Hoping For More Downfield Opportunities
Anfernee Simons

Celtics Are "Actively Trying to Trade" Anfernee Simons
NBA

Alex Ducas Heading to Australia
Dominick Barlow

Inks Two-Way Deal With 76ers
Jordan McLaughlin

Spurs Re-Sign Jordan McLaughlin to One-Year Deal
Dylan Harper

Out Thursday, Expected to Play Saturday
Ronald Acuña Jr.

Ronald Acuna Jr. Homers Twice on Wednesday
Mike Trout

Homers Twice in Win Over Rangers
Jazz Chisholm Jr.

Leads Yankees to Victory
Salvador Perez

Crushes Two Homers in Win
Cleveland Browns

Greg Newsome on the Trade Block?
VJ Edgecombe

Diagnosed with a Sprained Thumb
Zach Tom

An Extension Candidate in Green Bay
Devin Booker

Agrees to Extension with Phoenix
Trevor Williams

to Undergo Season-Ending Elbow Surgery
Byron Buxton

Exits After Hit-by-Pitch, X-Rays Negative
Ronald Acuña Jr.

Ronald Acuna Jr. Playing on Wednesday
Alex Bregman

has "Really Good Chance" to Return Before All-Star Break
Teoscar Hernández

Teoscar Hernandez Expected to Return on Friday
Walter Clayton Jr.

Leads Jazz to Summer League Win
Carter Bryant

Struggles in Summer League Loss
Kyle Filipowski

Drops a Double-Double in Summer League Action on Tuesday
Oklahoma City Thunder

Malevy Leons Logs Impressive Summer League Outing on Tuesday
Dalton Knecht

Collects 25 Points in Lakers Summer League Win
Los Angeles Lakers

Darius Bazley Drops 27 Points in Summer League on Tuesday
Gary Woodland

Looking to Find Rhythm at Scottish Open
Aaron Rai

Brings Consistent Play to Scottish Open
Maverick McNealy

a Solid Value Play at Scottish Open
Aldrich Potgieter

Making Scottish Open Debut
Tom Kim

Looks to Rebound at Scottish Open
Brian Harman

a Safe Option at Scottish Open
Luke Clanton

a Sneaky Value Play at Scottish Open
Sam Burns

Looking to Stay Hot at Scottish Open
Chet Holmgren

Agrees to Rookie Max Extension
Alex Bregman

Not Returning Wednesday
Jhoan Duran

Unavailable Due to Illness
Shane McClanahan

Tosses Clean Frame in First Rehab Appearance
Jacob Wilson

Day-to-Day After HBP
Nicolai Hojgaard

May Feel More at Home in Europe
Harry Hall

Showing Fine Form Heading to Scotland
Ronald Acuña Jr.

Ronald Acuna Jr. to be Reassessed Wednesday
Ryan Fox

Playing Well Since Early Spring Struggles
Malaki Branham

Traded to Washington
Max Greyserman

has Solid History at the Genesis Scottish Open
Blake Wesley

Moves to Washington
Harris English

Aims High for Scotland Next
Corey Conners

Primed for the Genesis Scottish Open
Kelly Olynyk

on the Move Again
Daniel Brown

Attempts the Scottish Swing Again
Anthony Davis

Recovering From Eye Surgery
Jacob Bridgeman

Needs Putter to Work at Genesis Scottish Open
Scottie Scheffler

Headlines Field at Genesis Scottish Open
Rory McIlroy

a Smart Play for Scottish Open
Adam Scott

Looking to Build on History at The Renaissance Club
NASCAR

Sepp Straka Not Likely to Find Momentum at Scottish Open
Justin Rose

Hopes Month Hiatus Helps Him Bounce Back at Scottish Open
NHL

Tyler Johnson Retires After 13 NHL Seasons
Jack McBain

Inks New Five-Year Deal with Mammoth
Cam York

Re-Signs with Flyers for Five Years
Jake Knapp

Fits the Mold for Success at The Renaissance Club
Ty Gibbs

Finishes Second at Chicago and Advances in In-Season Challenge
Alex Bowman

Defeats Bubba Wallace in In-Season Challenge, but Not Without Controversy
Alex Bowman

Bubba Wallace Wrecked by Alex Bowman Again, Putting Playoffs in Doubt
Michael McDowell

Throttle Failure Ends Michael McDowell's Chances to Win at Chicago
Austin Hill

Earns First NASCAR Cup Series Top Ten at Chicago
Tyler Reddick

Scores a Strong Third-Place Run at Chicago
Kyle Busch

Matches his Best Career Finish At Chicago on Sunday
Denny Hamlin

Fights his Way to a Top-5 Finish at Chicago
William Byron

has his Worst Weekend of the Season at Chicago
Sonny Milano

on Track to Be Ready for Training Camp
Jakub Dobes

Signs Two-Year Deal with Canadiens
NHL

Hendrix Lapierre Signs One-Year Deal with Capitals
Carson Hocevar

Should DFS Players Consider Carson Hocevar for Chicago Lineups?
Tye Kartye

Kraken Re-Sign Tye Kartye for Two Years
Ross Chastain

May be A Decent DFS Option for Chicago Lineups
Dmitri Voronkov

Signs Two-Year, $8.35 Million Extension with Blue Jackets
Ryan Preece

Should DFS Players Roster Ryan Preece at Chicago?
Austin Dillon

Is Too Great of A Risk to Add to Chicago Lineups
Zane Smith

Is A Value Play Worth Rostering At Chicago
Austin Hill

is A Favorable Value Option for Chicago DFS Lineups
Ty Dillon

Is Ty Dillon A Decent Driver to Add For NASCAR DFS At Chicago?
William Byron

Qualifying Crash Makes William Byron a Likely DFS Must-Have
Alex Bowman

Should Finish Well, but Probably Costs Too Much for Serious DFS Consideration
Joey Logano

Has Been Relatively Mediocre on Road Courses Lately
Ryan Blaney

Doesn't Really Fit Neatly into Optimal DFS Lineups
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF