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Ryan Nakada discusses fantasy baseball options for relief pitchers (RP) on the MLB waiver wire in Week 25 and who is next in line for saves for the rest of 2016.
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 25 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 25 Bullpen Targets
Tyler Thornburg, Milwaukee Brewers
11 Saves, 20 Holds, 1.58 ERA, 62.2 IP, 83 K, 0.86 WHIP
Tyler Thornburg is having a career-best year with his opportunity as Milwaukee Brewers closer. Thornburg is posting a career-best 11.9 K/9 paired with a career-best 4.5 H/9 that is supported by opponents hitting to a .144 batting average. The 27-year-old Thornburg uses a 94.1 MPH fastball and 78.8 MPH curveball. Thornburg is a must-have waiver wire pickup if you need a reliever. He puts up quality numbers across the board so he will not hurt you if he does not enter games with save opportunities.
Hunter Strickland, San Francisco Giants
3 Saves, 17 Holds, 3.24 ERA, 58.1 IP, 53 K, 1.17 WHIP
The San Francisco Giants bullpen has not done the team any favors. Hunter Strickland has recently taken over the closer responsibilities and has hit a few bumps in the road. Opponents are hitting .229 against Strickland this year. Strickland sports a 96.7 MPH fastball and a 84.2 MPH slider. The Giants remain deep in the race for a spot in the postseason so save opportunities will come often. Strickland is not having his best season but he is one of the more reliable pitchers in the Giants' bullpen. Pickup this closer on a contender as you contend to make the finals of your fantasy league.
Jim Johnson, Atlanta Braves
17 Saves, 8 Holds, 2.97 ERA, 60.2 IP, 63 K, 1.19 WHIP
The Atlanta Braves have put together a decent team to finish the season. A veteran presence finishes off their wins in Jim Johnson. The 33-year-old Johnson is commonly associated with ground balls and this season he does not disappoint, generating 55.3% ground balls. Opponents are hitting his 93.3 MPH two-seam fastball and 79.1 MPH curveball to a .231 batting average. Along with frequent ground balls, Johnson strikes out about a batter per inning. The Braves may finish the season well so strongly consider picking up Johnson for your run in the playoffs of your fantasy league
Andrew Bailey, Los Angeles Angels
4 Saves, 5 Holds, 5.90 ERA, 39.2 IP, 39 K, 1.34 WHIP
The Angels can finish on a strong note to the year so closer Andrew Bailey could be a worthwhile waiver wire pickup. With the Angels, opponents are hitting .185 so he rediscovered a home in the American League West again. Bailey brings a 92.1 MPH fastball, 84.2 MPH cutter and 76.8 MPH curveball to the mound. The Angels are still managing to secure wins, so Bailey has reasonable appeal to be picked up if you need a closer for your playoff run in a fantasy league.
Tony Cingrani, Cincinnati Reds
17 Saves, 8 Holds, 4.20 ERA, 60.0 IP, 46 K, 1.45 WHIP
The Cincinnati Reds have a closing duo in Cingrani and Raisel Iglesias. Cingrani is the team leader in saves, so he has received the most opportunities to close out games. Opponents are hitting .237 against Cingrani. He is not striking out a lot of batters with his 94.1 MPH fastball. What Cingrani is doing right is generating ground balls at a 45.0% rate. The Reds are not in contention and are rebuilding. so Cingrani may see minimal save opportunities to wrap up this year. Pick him up if most other options are already taken.
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