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We're getting real close, folks. Some fantasy baseball leagues have already started their playoffs and most others aren't too far away from the first round. It's baseball, so every stat always matters, but never as much as in the playoffs. One save, one hold, one earned run allowed, one strikeout...we've all seen or at least heard of these being the difference between advancing to another round or packing up our virtual bags and ending our season.
This week, more trouble in Texas, misery in Miami, and bad news in Baltimore. Closers keep closing, holders keep holding, and committees keep committee-ing. Read on for details, and good luck to all fantasy playoff teams!
Be sure to also keep an eye on our Fantasy Baseball Closer Depth Charts for saves, holds, and bullpens. They will be updated daily or sometimes even more often throughout the 2023 baseball season.
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Texas Rangers - Bullpen and Closer News
The Rangers bullpen is all over the place right now, with William Smith, Aroldis Chapman, and Jose Leclerc all struggling in their high-leverage roles. This week, in a game where Chapman was unavailable but Smith was ready to pitch, Jose Leclerc was the one who came in to earn a save. Later in the week, Smith pitched in the eighth inning ahead of a Chapman save in the ninth.
At the end of the week all in the same game, Leclerc allowed a two-run homer in the eighth and Chapman ended the game in the 10th inning with a walk-off bases loaded hit by pitch.
Meanwhile, Smith had a nice bounce-back inning in the game, getting five outs while allowing just a walk. It's a messy committee right now, but recent usage makes it seem Chapman might be the slight leader despite his struggles. It's still anyone's guess which Rangers pitcher will see the mound in a save situation, though.
Risers: the blood pressure of Texas Rangers fans
Fallers: William Smith, Jose Leclerc
Miami Marlins - Bullpen and Closer News
The Marlins had an exciting first half of the season. They made a trade for an experienced closer with playoff experience so they could make a push for their first full-season playoff appearance since 2003. They acquired David Robertson from the Mets before the trade deadline and immediately installed him as their closer. He responded by...going 0-4 with three blown saves and an 8.18 ERA in 11 innings.
Robertson was removed from the closer's role this week, and the Marlins will go forward with a committee approach led by Tanner Scott. Scott has been amazing this season (2.48 ERA, 34.3 K%), and should be a solid source of saves down the stretch. He'll likely be joined in the committee by fellow lefties A.J. Puk and Andrew Nardi. Robertson could eventually rejoin the high-leverage corps, but will probably need some early-inning work to get things back together.
Risers: Tanner Scott (a lot), A.J. Puk (not as much), Andrew Nardi (even less)
Fallers: David Robertson
Baltimore Orioles - Bullpen and Closer News
The Orioles got really bad news from their bullpen this week, as all-universe closer Felix Bautista (1.48 ERA, 33 saves, 46.4 K%) was placed on the injured list with a UCL injury in his throwing arm. There hasn't been much detail revealed yet besides that he has "some degree of injury" to his UCL. Of course, that's always scary for a pitcher. But as of now, we have no idea how long he'll be out.
As long as Bautista is out, Yennier Cano will take over the ninth inning and immediately become an elite fantasy option. Shintaro Fujinami and Danny Coulombe each move up a spot in the Orioles' bullpen hierarchy as well, and should both be solid holds league options throughout the fantasy playoffs.
Risers: Yennier Cano, Shintaro Fujinami
Fallers: Felix Bautista
Short Relief - Other Bullpen News
-Due to some injuries in the Padres bullpen, Scott Barlow has made his way back into high-leverage innings. If he keeps pitching well, he could be a solid holds league option.
-Thomas Hatch has made his way into a setup role for the Pirates and could be a decent holds league option who should be available in most leagues.
-Reynaldo Lopez and Matt Moore will be working out of the Cleveland bullpen after they were claimed from the Angels' waiver wire on Thursday.
-Edwin Diaz threw a bullpen session this week and has repeated that his goal is to pitch for the Mets this season. We'll see.
-Ryan Helsley looks like he'll be able to return to the Cardinals bullpen this weekend, but how he'll be used remains to be seen.
-Erik Swanson landed on the injured list this week, leaving more setup work for Yimi Garcia and Tim Mayza ahead of Jordan Romano and Jordan Hicks.
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