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-BRADY

Actually 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

New York Knicks

Tosan Evbuomwan Joins Knicks
NBA

Kai Jones Links Up With EuroLeague Team
San Antonio Spurs

Bismack Biyombo Returns to Spurs
Minnesota Timberwolves

Bones Hyland Rejoins Timberwolves
Kobe Bufkin

Moves to Brooklyn
Trey Yesavage

Sets Franchise Strikeout Record On Monday
Yordan Alvarez

To Receive MRI For Sprained Left Ankle On Tuesday
Willson Contreras

Exits Early Monday With Right-Biceps Tightness
Yordan Alvarez

Exits With Ankle Sprain
Brock Bowers

Officially Active on Monday Night
Jauan Jennings

Day-to-Day With Ankle Injury
Logan O'Hoppe

Activated Off Seven-Day Injured List
CBJ

Denton Mateychuk Dealing With Groin Issue
Bo Horvat

Fine for Training Camp
Kirby Dach

on Track to Be Ready for Opening Night
Jose Altuve

Returns Against Rangers
J.J. McCarthy

Expected to Miss 2-4 Weeks With High-Ankle Sprain
J.J. McCarthy

Likely Out for Week 3 With High-Ankle Sprain
Jean Silva

Gets Finished For The First Time In His Career
Aaron Jones Sr.

Unlikely to Play in Week 3 Due to Hamstring Injury
Diego Lopes

Returns To The Win Column
Jayden Daniels

' Week 3 Status in Doubt
Rob Font

Outclassed In The Noche UFC 3 Co-Main Event
David Martinez

Wins His Second UFC Fight
Jared Gordon

Suffers Brutal TKO Loss At Noche UFC 3
Rafa Garcia

Wins Back-To-Back Fights
Brian Thomas Jr.

Dealing with Wrist Injury
Dustin Stoltzfus

Drops A Decision At Noche UFC 3
Kelvin Gastelum

Gets Back In The Win Column
Diego Ferreira

Suffers Second-Round TKO
Alexander Hernandez

Extends His Win Streak With A Brutal TKO
Quang Le

Suffers First-Round Knockout
Santiago Luna

Shines In His UFC Debut
Christopher Bell

Earns his First Bristol Cup Series Victory
Alex Bowman

Falls Short of Advancing Through Cup Series Playoffs
Chase Briscoe

Collects his Third Top-10 Finish at Bristol
Ryan Blaney

Strong Top-Five Bristol Performance Advances him to the Playoffs
Corey Heim

Earns his First Career Cup Series Top-10 Finish at Bristol
Giannis Antetokounmpo

Leads Greece to Bronze Medal
Alperen Sengün

Alperen Sengun Drops 28 Points in EuroBasket Finals
CFB

Indiana's Lee Beebe Jr. Out for Season with Knee Injury
Dennis Schröder

Dennis Schroder Named EuroBasket MVP
Bryce Eldridge

Giants to Promote Bryce Eldridge
Jaren Jackson Jr.

Progressing in Recovery
Jonathan Kuminga

Receives New Offer From Warriors
Kenneth Walker III

Bounces Back with Big Week 2 Performance
Bijan Robinson

Rushes for 143 Yards in Week 2
Justin Fields

Currently in Concussion Protocol
Cincinnati Bengals

Bengals Calling Around to Available Free-Agent Quarterbacks
Joe Burrow

to Undergo Surgery, Out at Least Three Months
Emil Heineman

Aiming to Take the "Next Step" This Season
Braeden Cootes

Good to Go for Camp
Ivan Fedotov

Blue Jackets Acquire Ivan Fedotov From Flyers
Aaron Jones Sr.

Injures Hamstring During Sunday Night Football
Darren Waller

Not Expected to Play in Week 3
Garrett Crochet

Punches Out 12 in Win
Cole Ragans

to Return on Wednesday
Jameson Williams

Records Long Touchdown in Week 2, Still Limited to Downfield Role?
George Kirby

Strikes Out 14 in Win
Jayden Daniels

Considered "Day-to-Day" with Knee Injury
Carlos Estévez

Carlos Estevez Exits with Back Tightness
Jonathan Taylor

Tops 200 Yards From Scrimmage in Week 2 Win
Joe Burrow

Could Miss Three Months if he Requires Toe Surgery
Davante Adams

Headlines Rams Receiving Corps Sunday
Wan'Dale Robinson

Explodes for 142 Yards, Touchdown in Overtime Thriller
Joe Flacco

Browns Not Considering Benching Joe Flacco After Week 2
Quentin Grimes

Still Not Close to a New Contract Agreement
Joel Embiid

"Looking Slender, Spry and in Positive Spirits"
Ty Gibbs

Has Arguably his Best Career Drive, but Only Finishes 10th
Chase Elliott

Despite Crashing Out at Bristol, Chase Elliott Advances to Round of 12
Austin Dillon

Misses Round of 12 After Extremely Mediocre Bristol Run
Shane Van Gisbergen

Shane van Gisbergen Fails to Advance to Round of 12
Josh Berry

Finishes Last in All Three Round of 16 Races to Fail to Advance
Luis Arraez

Takes a Seat on Sunday With Head Injury
Adolis García

Adolis Garcia Activated, Starting on Sunday
CFB

Ryan Williams Explodes In Return To Field
CFB

Drew Allar Plays Mediocre Game In Blowout Win
CFB

LaNorris Sellers Exits Game In Blowout Loss
CFB

DJ Lagway Tosses Five Interceptions In Loss
CFB

Garrett Nussmeier Plays Game Manager in Saturday's Win
CFB

CJ Carr Remains Poised In Narrow Loss
CFB

John Mateer Leads Oklahoma In Rout
CFB

Arch Manning Struggles Against UTEP
CFB

Jeremiah Smith Impresses In Win
Bryan Woo

Records Career-High 13 Strikeouts
Max Muncy

Exits Early on Saturday
CFB

Sam Leavitt Shines As Arizona State Rebounds From Week 2 Loss
Salvador Perez

Reaches 300 Home Runs, 1,000 RBI
Jose Altuve

Exits Early With Foot Discomfort
Trey Yesavage

Heading to Big Leagues
Will Smith

Placed on 10-Day Injured List
Ivan Demidov

Turning Heads in Rookie Camp
NHL

Calvin de Haan Signs With Swedish Team
Samuel Girard

Skates With Non-Contact Jersey
Mackenzie Blackwood

Dealing With Injury Ahead of Training Camp
Spencer Knight

Signs Three-Year Extension With Blackhawks
Chris Buescher

May have Another Solid Run at Bristol
Corey Perry

Out 6-8 Weeks Following Surgery
Kyle Busch

Should DFS Managers Roster Kyle Busch at Bristol?
Ricky Stenhouse Jr

Is Ricky Stenhouse Jr. Too Risky to Consider Rostering at Bristol?
Michael McDowell

Could be A Solid Value Option For Bristol DFS Lineups
Chase Elliott

Probably Won't Factor in for Bristol Win
NASCAR

Bubba Wallace Not as Strong at Bristol as Other Short Tracks
Alex Bowman

Needs to Win to Make Round of 12
Ross Chastain

has Never Led at Bristol but Has Been Pretty Consistent
Austin Dillon

Richmond Speed Unlikely to Carry Over to Bristol
Josh Berry

Might Run Well at Bristol, but Almost Certainly Won't Win to Advance
Justin Haley

Bristol One of Justin Haley's Few Recent Bright Spots
Tarik Skubal

Avoids Serious Injury, Expected to Make Next Start
CFB

Austin Simmons Listed As Game-Time Decision Against Arkansas
CFB

Nico Iamaleava Struggles In Fourth Straight Loss
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen

Dealing With a "Tweak"
BUF

Alexandar Georgiev Joins Sabres on One-Year Deal
Corey Perry

Injured During Pre-Camp Skate
Tanner Bibee

Fans 10 in Two-Hit Shutout
CFB

Antonio Williams Out Against Georgia Tech
CFB

CJ Bailey Flashes Again in Win Over Wake Forest
CFB

Jaxson Moi a Game-Time Decision for Tennessee on Saturday
Jean Silva

A Favorite At Noche UFC 3
Diego Lopes

Set For Noche UFC 3 Main Event
Rob Font

Looks For His Third Consecutive Win
David Martinez

Set For Noche UFC 3 Co-Main Event
Rafa Garcia

An Underdog At Noche UFC 3
Jared Gordon

Looks To Win Back-To-Back Fights
Dustin Stoltzfus

Looks To Return To The Win Column
Kelvin Gastelum

In Dire Need Of Victory
Diego Ferreira

Looks To Get Back In The Win Column
Malcolm Brogdon

Heading to Knicks on One-Year Deal
CFB

David Sanders Jr. Won't Play Against Georgia
Landry Shamet

Staying with the Knicks
CFB

Dylan Edwards Slated to Return on Friday
Adam Lowry

Aims for Early-Season Return
CFB

Ryan Williams Expected to Play Against Wisconsin
CFB

Billy Edwards Jr. Unlikely to Play on Saturday
P.J. Washington

Officially Signs Contract Extension
CFB

David Sanders Jr. Questionable to Make Debut Against Georgia
Lauri Markkanen

Big at Both Ends as Finland Books Place in EuroBasket Semis
Luka Dončić

Luka Doncic Notches 39 Points in Losing Effort
NBA

Cam Reddish Expected to Move to Europe
NBA

Trey Lyles Joins Real Madrid
Charles Bassey

Signs Exhibit 10 Deal With Hawks
Sacramento Kings

Terence Davis Waived by Kings
Matthew Knies

Ready for Bigger Role With Maple Leafs
Jack Eichel

Unbothered by Lack of Extension
Sidney Crosby

Not Thinking About Leaving Pittsburgh
SJ

Michael Misa Signs Entry-Level Contract With Sharks
Rutger McGroarty

Nursing an Injury
Cameron Champ

the Ultimate Wild Card at Procore
Cameron Young

Looks to Extend Momentum in Napa
Davis Thompson

Searching for a Spark at Procore
Sahith Theegala

Looking to Reignite Form at Procore
Mackenzie Hughes

Aims for Another Strong Showing at Procore
Luke Clanton

Brings Ball-Striking Upside to Napa
Seamus Power

Looking to Overcome Poor Course History at Procore
Joe Highsmith

Hoping to Find Form in Napa

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP