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 23 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 23 Bullpen Targets

Tony Watson, Pittsburgh Pirates

11 Saves, 23 Holds, 3.17 ERA, 59.2 IP, 49 K, 1.11 WHIP

The Pittsburgh Pirates are on the outside looking in but they are going out fighting. With that said, the Pirates are in store for close fights so closer Tony Watson is a must-have for saves as the season wraps up. Opponents are hitting .215 against Watson this year. The lefty relies on a 93.2 MPH fastball and a 85.2 MPH changeup to get the job done. The Pirates may have traded away their All-Star closer in Mark Melancon but they are still in the race to this date. The Pirates will compete and Watson will see opportunities for saves.

Andrew Bailey, Los Angeles Angels

2 Saves, 5 Holds, 5.86 ERA, 35.1 IP, 36 K, 1.36 WHIP

With two closers injured and one dealt, the Los Angeles Angels have turned to a former closer as the next man up. Andrew Bailey is a traveled veteran that has had his share of success and while he is not who he once was, he is still a serviceable reliever. Opponents are hitting .241 against him this year but in a small sample size, 10 AB, opponents are hitless against him as an Angel. He is 2-for-2 in save opportunities and is averaging just over a strikeout per inning. He is a valuable pickup if you need saves on your playoff run.

Adam Ottavino, Colorado Rockies

2 Saves, 4 Holds, 2.61 ERA, 20.2 IP, 23 K, 1.02 WHIP

The Colorado Rockies are not contending but they can play spoilers. The potent offense and uncertain starting pitching creates plenty of potential save opportunities for closer Adam Ottavino. Opponents are hitting .197 thanks to an astounding 64.2% ground ball rate. Sporting a 93.7 MPH two-seam fastball and an 81.4 MPH slider, Ottavino is also striking out just over a batter per inning. The Rockies are not the worst in the division but matchups against the Diamondbacks and Padres this week could give Ottavino save opportunities as both teams are having down years yet again. Pick up Ottavino if you need a closer with likely save opportunities soon.

Daniel Hudson, Arizona Diamondbacks

2 Saves, 17 Holds, 6.04 ERA, 50.2 IP, 47 K, 1.52 WHIP

The closer's role in Arizona is uncertain at best. Randall Delgado is an option for the Diamondbacks but so is Daniel Hudson. The numbers do not look glamorous because of a rough July, featuring a 19.29 ERA in 7.0 innings. Hudson has steadily improved, pitching to a 4.15 ERA since August. Hudson relies on a 95.7 MPH fastball, 85.9 MPH slider and 85.4 MPH changeup. Opponents are hitting .277 against Hudson but improvements lately have made him a viable option for the Diamondbacks and your fantasy team's playoff run. If push comes to shove, don't let the numbers deceive you, pick up Hudson over Delgado if you want the saves on the Diamondbacks.

Brandon Maurer, San Diego Padres

8 Saves, 13 Holds, 4.72 ERA, 61.0 IP, 65 K, 1.31 WHIP

The San Diego Padres won lately! That means Brandon Maurer got save opportunities that he successfully converted. This is not to say that Maurer is a must-have player on your fantasy team for the playoff run but he is worth consideration. Primarily using a 95.4 MPH fastball and 85.2 MPH slider, Maurer is striking out just over a batter per inning. The opportunities are few and far between so his immediate value is not guaranteed. If he is the only one available, pick him up, otherwise seek others on the waiver wire.

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