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While holds are even tougher to predict than saves, the players we’ll highlight today include some elite setup men to target off the waiver wire for Week 23 of the fantasy baseball season.
The more likely an MLB team is to win, the more likely these pitchers will be eligible to earn the holds that could be the difference between winning or losing in your fantasy league.
Let's get to it.
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Week 23 Waiver Wire Pickups for Holds
Brandon Kintzler, Washington Nationals
28 Saves, 7 Holds, 2.77 ERA, 61.2 IP, 36 K, 1.15 WHIP
Once a closer for the Minnesota Twins, Brandon Kintzler has taken on a setup role with the Washington Nationals. Armed with a 93.5 mph sinker and 87.0 mph slider, Kintzler encourages contact on the ground. With a 57.6 percent ground ball rate and well under a strikeout per inning, his value will be on his ability to secure a hold. Prior to acquiring Kintzler, the Nationals struggled with the bridge from starter to closer. Look to put a waiver wire claim on Kintzler if your holds league team is substantially covered in strikeouts while seeking out setup relievers that will get a significant chance for many holds.
Taylor Rogers, Minnesota Twins
28 Holds, 3.40 ERA, 50.1 IP, 42 K, 1.29 WHIP
Even with the opening for Minnesota Twins' closer a possibility; Taylor Rogers remained the setup reliever and a strong one in that. The league leader in holds has been relying on a 93.1 mph sinker and 78.8 mph slider. Opponents are hitting .247 against the lefty but he averages nearly a strikeout per inning and has remained a constant in the Twins eighth inning nearly all season long. Even though lefties are hitting .188 against Rogers, do not be discouraged from putting a waiver wire claim on him; more than half of his appearances this year have been for an inning or more. The Twins remain relevant in a deep wild card race so look for Rogers to compete to maintain his hold on the league lead of holds.
Nick Vincent, Seattle Mariners
26 Holds, 2.16 ERA, 58.1 IP, 45 K, 1.03 WHIP
Speaking of holds league leaders, Seattle Mariners' Nick Vincent is right behind Rogers for the league lead. Opponents are hitting .227 against Vincent this year. Relying on an 87.1 mph cutter and 89.8 mph fastball, Vincent averages just under a strikeout per inning but relies on above league average contact on pitches out of the zone. The weak contact has helped him secure the second most holds in the league. Frequently pitching in the eighth inning, Vincent is sure to lock up more holds, making him a very strong waiver wire claim in holds leagues.
Yusmeiro Petit, Los Angeles Angels
2 Saves, 14 Holds, 2.28 ERA, 79.0 IP, 83 K, 0.95 WHIP
The Los Angeles Angels have dealt with their share of instability in the bullpen but Yusmeiro Petit has been a steady source of holds. This year, opponents are hitting .206 against Petit. Once a starter, Petit mixes in an 89.6 mph fastball, 77.2 mph curveball, 81.9 mph changeup, and 85.5 mph slider to record more than a strikeout per inning. Petit has made multiple inning appearances in 30 of his 50 appearances so his chance for holds can be hindered by this added versatility. Like many strong holds candidates, Petit may see a lot of hold opportunities due to the team's presence in a tight wild card race.
Joe Smith, Cleveland Indians
1 Save, 18 Holds, 3.21 ERA, 47.2 IP, 63 K, 1.01 WHIP
The Cleveland Indians are on a hot streak like few others and reliever Joe Smith has contributed in securing wins. With an 88.3 mph sinker and 80.0 mph slider, Smith has opponents hitting 48.2 percent of batted balls on the ground. Opponents are hitting .218 against Smith during his tenure with the Indians and the Toronto Blue Jays. Since joining the Indians, Smith is primarily used in the seventh or eighth inning so he can be counted on to get holds. With the success the Indians are having, expect him to get a number of hold opportunities to benefit his team and any team in a holds league that puts a waiver wire claim on him.
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