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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 24 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 24 Waiver Wire Pickups for Holds
Nick Goody, Cleveland Indians
4 Holds, 2.72 ERA, 49.2 IP, 67 K, 1.11 WHIP
The Cleveland Indians are hot at a historic level and every member of the team is contributing, including reliever Nick Goody. The Indians reliever relies on a 91.7 mph fastball and 83.2 mph slider to average well over a strikeout per inning. Opponents are hitting .196 against Goody this year. The 25-year-old reliever counts on opponents swinging out of the strike zone at an above league average rate with below league average contact. Goody has seen a rough patch lately but the numbers show he should see higher leverage situations that will garner holds down the last stretch of the season.
Brandon Morrow, Los Angeles Dodgers
1 Save, 8 Holds, 2.37 ERA, 38.0 IP, 44 K, 0.92 WHIP
The Los Angeles Dodgers have struggled tremendously lately but Brandon Morrow remains an underrated shining star in the fantastic season. Once a starter, Brandon Morrow has found dominance as a reliever. Opponents are hitting .191 against Morrow this year. As a reliever, Morrow has added velocity to his pitches, including a 97.7 mph fastball, 92.2 mph cutter and 88.7 mph slider. Morrow is averaging more than a strikeout per inning. Morrow generally pitches in the seventh or eighth inning for the team with the best record in the league so he is a worthwhile waiver wire claim in holds leagues.
Chad Green, New York Yankees
5 Holds, 2.00 ERA, 63.0 IP, 96 K, 0.75 WHIP
New York Yankees reliever Chad Green may be one of the best relievers in baseball this year. Tried as a starter, Chad Green has fully embraced the reliever role, with added velocity translating to a remarkable strikeout rate. Utilizing a 95.7 mph fastball and 85.7 mph slider, Chad Green is holding opponents to a .149 batting average. Lately, Green has seen more than an inning of work but has been dominant in most of them. His added velocity has not taken away his ability to locate as he is throwing plenty of strikes in the zone while getting swings and misses. His versatility from being a former starter allows him to pitch multiple innings in relief can hinder some of his opportunities at holds, but his overall numbers can create appeal for a waiver wire claim in holds leagues.
Anthony Swarzak, Milwaukee Brewers
2 Saves, 22 Holds, 2.28 ERA, 67.0 IP, 82 K, 1.00 WHIP
The Milwaukee Brewers are staying in the thick of the postseason race and acquiring Anthony Swarzak has paid off immediately. Since being acquired by the Brewers, Swarzak has been used almost exclusively in the eighth inning. In 20 games with the Brewers, Swarzak has 12 holds. Opponents are hitting .213 against Swarzak. Armed with a 94.6 mph fastball and 86.9 mph slider, Swarzak averages over a strikeout per inning. The Brewers are deep in the postseason push and clearly lean on Swarzak for holds so teams in holds leagues can count on Swarzak.
James Pazos, Seattle Mariners
8 Holds, 3.53 ERA, 51.0 IP, 62 K, 1.35 WHIP
The Seattle Mariners are still in a deep wild card race and reliever James Pazos has been an effective reliever. Opponents are hitting .237 against Pazos. Using a 95.6 mph fastball and 81.8 mph slider, Pazos strikes out over a batter per inning. Pazos pitches in many different situations, facing one batter or staying in for multiple innings. Primarily used in the sixth or seventh inning, Pazos could get some holds in the final weeks of the regular season.
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