👉 TAP TO SAVE 50% WITH CODE SPRING
X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

#1 Expert Projections
Save 50% Now
Import Your Leagues
Props Tool
Compare Any Players
Compare Any Players
24x7 News and Alerts

Bullpen Waiver Wire Pickups For Week 20

With the trade deadline in the rear-view mirror, buyers and sellers have made the moves to thrust their team in their respective directions. 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 20 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.

Editor's Note: Purchase a full season NFL Premium Pass (including Draft Kit + DFS Premium), and also get MLB Premium + DFS for free through October. Premium DFS lineup picks, expert lineups, tools and more - seven days a week. You can see screenshots of our NFL Premium and MLB Premium and DFS tools. What are you waiting for?

 

Week 20 Bullpen Targets

Tyler Thornburg, Milwaukee Brewers

4 Saves, 20 Holds, 2.03 ERA, 48.2 IP, 66 K, 0.90 WHIP

The Milwaukee Brewers closer is having a fantastic season. The ninth inning role was more than deserved. Opponents are hitting .163 against Thornburg and he is having a career year as his hits per nine innings (5.2) is considerably better than his career average (7.2) and his strikeouts per nine innings (12.2) is exceptionally high compared to his career average (8.8). Utilizing a 94.1 MPH fastball and 78.7 MPH curveball, Thornburg is becoming a great reliever that the Brewers can count on to close out games for them the rest of this year. His outstanding strikeout numbers give him a lot of value as a waiver wire pickup for any fantasy team.

Edwin Diaz, Seattle Mariners

8 Saves, 13 Holds, 1.85 ERA, 34.0 IP, 62 K, 1.15 WHIP

Since receiving the closer's role, rookie Edwin Diaz has been remarkable. Diaz has been efficient and effective in most of his save opportunities. He is perfect in eight opportunities and three of the save opportunities required less than 10 pitches. The power-pitching Diaz sports a 97.2 MPH fastball and and 86.7 MPH slider to hold opponents to a .229 batting average. In addition to calling the most pitcher-friendly ballpark home, Diaz generates batted balls at a 49.3% ground ball rate. It appears Diaz was made to be a closer and should be picked up off the waiver wire immediately.

Brandon Kintzler, Minnesota Twins

12 Saves, 1 Hold, 1.82 ERA, 39.2 IP, 24 K, 0.98 WHIP

Brandon Kintzler has established that he can close out games. Unlike most closers, Kintzler is not a strikeout pitcher. Kintzler utilizes a 92.7 MPH sinker to generate 63.5% ground balls on batted balls. Opponents are hitting .238 against him and he has blown one save since the beginning of June. His K/9 this year is at 5.4 so claim him off the waiver wire if you strictly need saves as strikeouts will be hard to find from the 31-year-old Kintzler.

Adam Ottavino, Colorado Rockies

1 Save, 4 Holds, 0.00 ERA, 15.0 IP, 17 K, 0.87 WHIP

One week ago, new Colorado Rockies closer Adam Ottavino secured his first save of the year in dominant fashion, striking out the Texas Rangers in order. Opponents are hitting .189 against Ottavino and his two-seam fastball. Ottavino reduced the speed on his fastball from 95.7 MPH to 93.5 and is generating ground balls at a great rate. In a normally very hitter-friendly ballpark like Coors Field, a 69.4% ground ball rate will work in the pitcher's favor everyday. Ottavino will likely not maintain this rate but strike when the iron is hot and pick up this reliever from the waiver wire.

Raisel Iglesias, Cincinnati Reds

1 Save, 6 Holds, 2.16 ERA, 58.1 IP, 64 K, 1.15 WHIP

Current Cincinnati Reds closer Tony Cingrani is holding down the fort in the ninth inning, but has not been without his bumps and bruises. Cingrani has blown five saves this year and the Reds will (obviously) not be contending in the near future. With an opportunity presented, Raisel Iglesias may see more than the one audition as the closer for the Reds that he locked down last week. Primarily using a 92.2 MPH fastball and 82.4 MPH slider, Iglesias strikes out just over a batter per inning at a 9.9 K/9 rate. Generating more ground balls (39.5%) like in 2015 (47.2%) will work to his benefit as he closes out games for the rebuilding Reds. If Cingrani blows more saves, look for Iglesias to seize the opportunity.

 

Live Expert Q&A Chats - Every Weekday @ 1 PM and 6 PM EST (DFS)

Fantasy Baseball Chat Room

[iflychat_embed id="c-55" hide_user_list="yes" hide_popup_chat="no" height="400px"]


Check out RotoBaller's entire fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups and sleepers list, updated daily!




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

#1 Expert Projections
Save 50% Now
Import Your Leagues
Props Tool
Compare Any Players
Compare Any Players
24x7 News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Kayshon Boutte

Not Present for Voluntary Workouts
Tetairoa McMillan

Working on "Power" and Weight/Muscle Gain
Ashton Jeanty

a Top Dynasty Buy Ahead of the NFL Draft?
Tyler Shough

Poised to Get a Wide Receiver Upgrade in the NFL Draft?
Mason Taylor

a Sneaky Buy in Dynasty Leagues as NFL Draft Approaches?
Devin Neal

a Sneaky Buy Ahead of the NFL Draft
Dylan Cease

Continues Strong Start With 12-Strikeout Performance
Ricky Pearsall

Not Yet Ready to Make the WR1 Leap
NFL

Chris Brazzell II a Fringe First-Rounder in Fantasy Rookie Drafts
Raisel Iglesias

Placed on 15-Day Injured List with Shoulder Inflammation
Tory Horton

Is Tory Horton a Sneaky, Low-Cost Buy Before the NFL Draft?
Zach Charbonnet

a Volatile Buy Heading into NFL Draft
NFL

Can Emmett Johnson Sneak into First Round of Rookie Drafts?
NFL

Jonah Coleman Could Be a Steal in Second Round of Rookie Drafts
NFL

Elijah Sarratt Brings Boom-or-Bust Volatility to the Second Round of Rookie Drafts
Jake Sanderson

Records Two Assists in Losing Effort
Brock Faber

Bags Two Goals in Monday's Defeat
Wyatt Johnston

Notches Two Goals in Game 2 Win
Troy Terry

Has Special Playoffs Debut
Dan Vladar

Leads Flyers to Victory With 27-Save Shutout
Yakov Trenin

Suffers Upper-Body Injury in Game 2
Rasmus Sandin

to Miss Start of 2026-27
CJ McCollum

Shines at MSG in Game 2
Donovan Mitchell

Extends 30-Point Streak
Jakob Poeltl

Gets Benched in Second Half
Brandon Ingram

Continues to Struggle
Al Horford

Undecided on Future
Brandin Podziemski

Wants to Stay With Warriors Long-Term
Max Muncy

With Another Two-Homer Game, Becoming Must-Add Off Waiver Wire
Seattle Seahawks

Seahawks "Looking to Trade Back" in This Week's Draft
NFL

Garrett Nussmeier Could Need Surgery Down the Road on his Spine
Kayvon Thibodeaux

Now Unlikely to be Dealt
Anton Harrison

Jaguars Exercise Anton Harrison's Fifth-Year Option
Darnell Wright

Bears Picking Up Fifth-Year Option for Darnell Wright
Sean Tucker

Buccaneers Re-Sign Running Back Sean Tucker
Fred Warner

Without Restrictions at Start of Offseason Program
Brandon Aiyuk

49ers Talking Trade Regarding Brandon Aiyuk With Draft Looming
Jordan McLaughlin

Ruled Out for Game 2
Ron Harper Jr.

Probable for Game 2
Austin Reaves

to Remain Out Tuesday
Luka Dončić

Luka Doncic Still Out Tuesday
Anthony Edwards

Active on Monday Night
Kevin Durant

a Game-Time Decision on Tuesday
Ronald Acuña Jr.

Ronald Acuna Jr. Day-to-Day After Being Hit on the Hand on Monday
Mick Abel

Injury Described as "Not Too Serious"
Brendan Donovan

Mariners Place Brendan Donovan on Injured List With Groin Strain
Joel Embiid

is Officially Ruled Out for Game 2
Sonny Gray

Heading to the Injured List With Hamstring Injury
Victor Wembanyama

Wins Defensive Player of the Year
OG Anunoby

is Available to Play for Monday's Game 2
Onyeka Okongwu

is Cleared to Play During Game 2 on Monday
Immanuel Quickley

is Ruled Out for Game 2
Edwin Díaz

Edwin Diaz Expected to Miss Around Three Months
Edwin Uceta

Shut Down for 2-3 Weeks; Is he Still Stash-Worthy?
Charle-Edouard D'Astous

Doubtful for Game 2
Brad Keller

Will "Probably" Earn First Save Situation in Modified Phillies Bullpen
Roope Hintz

to Miss at Least Two More Games
Edwin Díaz

Edwin Diaz Placed on 15-Day Injured List with Elbow Injury
Ross Johnston

Won't Play in Game 1 Against Oilers
Artem Zub

Considered a Game-Time Decision Monday
Tyler Kleven

Remains Out Monday
Jason Dickinson

a Game-Time Call Monday
Leon Draisaitl

Expected to Return Monday
Tyler Reddick

Earns His Fifth Win of the 2026 Season at Kansas
Kyle Larson

Finishes as the Runner-Up at Kansas
Chase Briscoe

Rallies for A New Career-Best Finish at Kansas
Denny Hamlin

Leads the Most Laps at Kansas but Misses Out on Victory
Christopher Bell

Falls Out of Contention for Kansas Victory on Final Restart
Mike Malott

Scores Third-Round TKO Win
Sonny Gray

Leaves Monday's Start Early With Hamstring Tightness
Gilbert Burns

Retires After UFC Winnipeg Loss
Charles Jourdain

Extends Winning Streak
Mick Abel

Twins Placing Mick Abel on Injured List With Elbow Inflammation
Kyler Phillips

Drops Decision At UFC Winnipeg
Mandel Nallo

Suffers First-Round TKO Loss In His UFC Debut
Jai Herbert

Scores First-Round TKO Win
Karine Silva

Gets Dominated at UFC Winnipeg
Jasmine Jasudavicius

Dominates Karine Silva
Deni Avdija

Posts 30-Point Double-Double in Loss
Paolo Banchero

Leads Magic in Game 1 Win
Jalen Duren

Posts Quiet Line in Series Opener
Cade Cunningham

Erupts for 39 Points in Playoff Opener
Logan Cooley

Scores Mammoth's First-Ever Playoff Goal
David Pastrnak

Finishes Game 1 Loss With Three Points
Tage Thompson

Bags Three Points in Postseason Debut
Jake Guentzel

Records Three Assists Sunday
Juraj Slafkovsky

Nets Unique Hat Trick in Playoff Opener
Charle-Edouard D'Astous

Hurt in Game 1 Loss
Leon Draisaitl

Could Be Ready for Game 1 Against Ducks
Corbin Carroll

Expected Back Tuesday; Injury Concern Appears Minor
Juan Soto

is on Track to Return Next Homestand
Corbin Carroll

Exits Sunday's Game with Back Tightness
Tarik Skubal

Fans 10 in Win Over Red Sox on Saturday
Raisel Iglesias

Dealing With Shoulder Issue
Kyle Larson

Should not be Underestimated for the Win at Kansas
Denny Hamlin

Can Denny Hamlin Dominate at Kansas Again?
NASCAR

Christoper Bell Should Contend for First Win at Kansas
Tyler Reddick

Fastest in Practice and Qualifying for Kansas Race
Ryan Blaney

Could Score another Top-10 Finish at Kansas
Ty Gibbs

Poised to Continue Hot Streak at Kansas
Chris Buescher

Always Consistent, Has Speed Heading Into Kansas
William Byron

is A Solid DFS Option for Kansas Lineups
Carson Hocevar

Poised for Career-Best Run at Kansas
Chase Briscoe

Is Chase Briscoe Worth Rostering for DFS at Kansas?
Chase Elliott

Is A Favorable DFS Option for Kansas Lineups
Joey Logano

Could Joey Logano be Considered Playable In DFS This Week at Kansas?
NASCAR

Bubba Wallace is A Favorable Driver to Consider for Kansas Lineups
Ross Chastain

Is Ross Chastain A Worthy DFS Option for Kansas?
Brad Keselowski

Could Brad Keselowski be A Sneaky DFS Option for Kansas?
Daniel Suarez

Should DFS Managers Roster Daniel Suarez at Kansas?
Jhoan Duran

Placed on 15-Day Injured List With Oblique Strain
Kyle Stowers

Will be Activated on Sunday
Max Muncy

has Another Multi-Homer Game at Coors Field
Mike Malott

A Favorite At UFC Winnipeg
Gilbert Burns

Set For UFC Winnipeg Main Event
Kyler Phillips

Set UFC Winnipeg Co-Main Event
Charles Jourdain

Looks To Extend His Win Streak
Jai Herbert

An Underdog At UFC Winnipeg
Mandel Nallo

Set For His UFC Debut
Karine Silva

Looks To Get Back In The Win Column
Jasmine Jasudavicius

Looks To Bounce Back
CFB

Michigan Lands Commitment From Quarterback Kamden Lopati
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF