RADIO
Another week of head-to-head fantasy playoffs or another week closer to wrapping up in rotisserie leagues. Either way, here's hoping it all went well for you! Everyone's favorite Closers and Saves Report writer made the playoffs in every one of his leagues and got knocked out of said playoffs in every single league last week. In one of those leagues, he was up 9-1-0 up until Saturday afternoon. When he checked in again on Sunday evening, he had somehow lost 5-4-1, just one quality start away from tying 5-5-0 (and he would have won on a tiebreaker). So in retrospect...fantasy baseball is stupid and you should never waste your time on it.
In case you do, for some reason, decide to waste your time on it...Bullpens matter, especially in the fantasy playoffs where teams are trotting out guys no one has ever heard of and routinely using three pitchers to get the three outs in the late innings. The Rays and Dodgers played an 11-inning game on Wednesday night and combined to use 18 pitchers, only one of whom got more than six outs.
Take a look at our Closer Depth Chart, which is updated daily. Let's jump in and take a look at what's been going on in the bullpens around baseball.
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Bullpen News for Week 25
Pittsburgh Pirates
The biggest bullpen news of the week was quite disturbing, as Pirates closer Felipe Vázquez was arrested on a series of disturbing and disgusting charges. He won't pitch again this season and hopefully won't see a big-league mound for a long time. The Pirates don't seem like they're planning on winning too many games for the remainder of the season, but Keone Kela should be the one on the mound if a save situation comes up. Kela has been outstanding lately, giving up just one earned run in his last 19 innings pitched. Richard Rodriguez and Francisco Liriano could mix in for a save chance now and then if Kela ends up in more of a fireman role, but Kela is the one to roster in the Pittsburgh bullpen.
Los Angeles Dodgers
The question, "Is Kenley Jansen good again?" was likely on the minds of Dodgers fans until he blew his career-high eighth save of the season on Wednesday night. Jansen had indeed been good before that, putting together three strong outings in a row, but Wednesday's two runs in one inning blown save changed the question quickly to, "Is Kenley Jansen bad again?" There's plenty to worry about from a bullpen perspective for the Dodgers heading into the playoffs. With most of the rest of their team playing excellent baseball, it's worth wondering what they'll do with the bullpen heading into October. Jansen could get tons of rest going forward, or the Dodgers may want him throwing as much as possible in an attempt to get him right. Either way, he's a risky fantasy option much like he's a risky real-life playoff option.
Seattle Mariners
Matt Magill was the head of the Seattle closer committee for a bit, but then he got hurt. No one really knew what would happen when he came back, but it looks like he's healthy and back on the mound, and also back on top of the Seattle committee. He'll still cede some opportunities to Anthony Bass and Sam Tuivailala, but Magill is the arm to roster from the Mariners bullpen for any fantasy teams desperate for saves.
Short Relief
- Blake Parker has resurfaced in the late innings in Philadelphia. He won't take over as closer, but he could suddenly have some holds league relevance behind closer Hector Neris.
- Josh Hader was unavailable for a save opportunity this week, so Drew Pomeranz, of all people, closed out the game with two scoreless innings. Pomeranz has actually been incredible as a reliever and could have some legitimate holds league value to close out the year.
- Giants closer Will Smith missed a little time with a back injury, but he's back on the mound and should get the majority of the save chances to wind down the season.
- Craig Kimbrel is finally back from the injured list, and with the Cubs needing every win possible to keep their playoff hopes alive, he could end up thrown into high-leverage work right away.
Roster Moves of the Week
Adds
Keone Kela, Pittsburgh Pirates- Kela should be taking most of whatever save opportunities the Pirates have left. He's been almost unhittable lately and could provide fantasy teams with a few saves to wrap up the year.
Matt Magill, Seattle Mariners- Returning from an injury, Magill has reclaimed his throne atop the Seattle closer committee. He's not a must-own but could record a save or two going forward.
Drops
Felipe Vazquez, Pittsburgh Pirates- Vazquez won't pitch again this season after being arrested this week. He should be dropped in all redraft formats and could be dropped by Major League Baseball as well.
Best of the Week
Raisel Iglesias, Cincinnati Reds- 4 IP, 4 SV, 6 K, 0.00 ERA, 0.50 WHIP
Reds closer Raisel Iglesias had a rare four-save week, allowing just two hits while striking out six in his four innings of work.
Roberto Osuna, Houston Astros- 4 IP, 3 SV, 5 K, 0.00 ERA, 0.75 WHIP
Astros closer Roberto Osuna allowed just two hits and a walk in his four innings this week, saving three games and striking out five.
Brandon Workman, Boston Red Sox- 4 1/3 IP, 3 SV, 6 K, 0.00 ERA, 0.92 WHIP
Red Sox closer Brandon Workman worked well this week, recording 13 outs without allowing a run. He struck out six and recorded three saves.
More 2019 Fantasy Baseball Advice
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