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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 8 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.
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Week 8 Bullpen Waiver Wire Pickups
0 Saves, 2 Holds, 1.17 ERA, 7.2 IP, 7 K, 0.91 WHIP
While an inside pitch can garner some respect, former first-overall pick Matt Bush will let his stuff do the talking as he contributes to the Texas Rangers bullpen. The 30-year old Bush has seen work in the later third of the game since making his major league debut two weeks ago. With closer Shawn Tolleson trying to figure out where it all went wrong, Matt Bush can seize the opportunity to move into more hold opportunities as well as potential saves if closer Sam Dyson struggles. Sporting a fastball at 96.7 MPH and a slider at 91.0 MPH, Bush averages about a strikeout per inning. Opponents are hitting .214 against Bush in his brief work at the major league level.
Sean Doolittle, Oakland Athletics
2 Saves, 6 Holds, 3.26 ERA, 19.1 IP, 23 K, 1.09 WHIP
Closer Ryan Madson has hit a pair of bumps in the road lately against a pair of division rivals in the Texas Rangers and the Seattle Mariners. Former A's closer Sean Doolittle has had his share of bumps on the road back from injury but he could see himself in a few closing opportunities if Madson struggles persist. Doolittle appears to have abandoned his slider due to the shoulder injury that ailed him. With the slider used only 6.8% of the time, Doolittle may not find the success he found in 2014 but his 94.3 MPH fastball is getting the job done. Opponents are hitting .214 against Doolittle.
Joaquin Benoit, Seattle Mariners
0 Saves, 3 Holds, 3.38 ERA, 8.0 IP, 6 K, 1.25 WHIP
Seattle Mariners closer Steve Cishek has developed a reputation for struggling in the ninth inning. Despite a strong April, Cishek has blown three saves in the month of May to the tune of a 4.76 ERA in 10 games. While Benoit was recently activated from the disabled list this month, he is pitching to his career numbers. He is generating 42.9% ground balls, relying on a fastball at 92.8 MPH and a changeup at 83.2 MPH. He has 50 career saves so he is more than capable of finishing off games if Cishek does not improve his numbers in the month of May.
Ross Ohlendorf, Cincinnati Reds
0 Saves, 2 Holds, 4.79 ERA, 20.2 IP, 22 K, 1.02 WHIP
There is no easy way around it, the Cincinnati Reds' bullpen is bad. As of now, current closer Tony Cingrani has more blown saves (4) than saves (3). Despite the elevated ERA, opponents are only hitting .211 against Ohlendorf. Relying primarily on a fastball at 93.9 MPH and a slider at 81.7 MPH, Ohlendorf generates 50.0% fly balls, which is not ideal for the hitter's park in Cincinnati. The bullpen has yet to find a stable presence. The veteran may be the next in line for closer responsibilities if Cingrani struggles again.
Kyle Barraclough, Miami Marlins
0 Saves, 8 Holds, 2.70 ERA, 16.2 IP, 29 K, 1.56 WHIP
The Miami Marlins have a pair of reliable backend relievers in David Phelps and A.J. Ramos. However, reliever Kyle Barraclough should not be overlooked. The 26-year-old righty not only sports a great name; he has the stuff to live up to the name. With a fastball at 95.4 MPH and a slider at 82.4 MPH, Barraclough produced a K/9 of 15.7. Opponents are only hitting .213 against him and he is keeping the ball low. 56.3% of balls put in play are coming on the ground in an already pitcher-friendly Marlins Park. Phelps is probably the first in line should Ramos falter as closer but Barraclough is having a fine 2016 showing to put him in the mix for saves should an opportunity present itself.
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