RADIO
It feels like the season just started. Remember drafting your team? Remember how excited you were about your roster? Well, I hope you're still excited, because it's time for playoffs (in most leagues). This has been a weird season and 40-something games was not nearly enough to determine what fantasy managers deserved an appearance in the digital playoffs, but that's what we were given this year and it's what we have to play with.
Despite the shortened season, this year seemed to have more bullpen drama than any year I can remember. We had days where it seemed like half of the teams in the league made some kind of bullpen change. Then we had the trade deadline, which of course changed things as it always does. It's been a fun season, and I'm going to go ahead and assume that bullpens are going to be key parts in determining many fantasy championships. So let's make sure you're ready!
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 9
Arizona Diamondbacks
Before the trade deadline, the Diamondbacks had one of the more solid bullpen situations with Archie Bradley holding things down. Ever since Bradley was sent to the Cincinnati Reds, though, the Arizona bullpen has been a mess. This week it looks like there finally might be some settling going on in the desert though, as Stefan Crichton seems to have taken the ninth inning and run with it. He was atop a messy committee last week, but his usage this week makes it seem like he might be the full-fledged closer. Crichton doesn't have eye-popping numbers in any category, but he should be more than solid enough to keep the job at least until the end of the season. Fantasy managers hurting for saves might want to take a look at him.
Toronto Blue Jays
The Blue Jays bullpen has seen Ken Giles and Jordan Romano both installed as closers and then both removed due to injury. Giles was finally able to come back this week, but didn't last thought the week, going right back on the injured list with the same elbow injury that sent him there in the first place. It's a tough break for Giles and the Blue Jays, but it likely means Anthony Bass and Rafael Dolis will continue to share save chances, with Dolis getting the larger share at least for now.
Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pirates bullpen has also dealt with some injuries up top, as the team announced this week that Keone Kela is unlikely to pitch again this season. Kyle Crick also ended up going back on the injured list on Monday, leaving Richard Rodriguez with little competition in the ninth inning. Rodriguez won't get too many save chances most likely, but he can help with ratios, making him a potentially valuable pick up who could be on the waiver wire for the fantasy playoffs.
Short Relief
- The Marlins made a quick switch in their bullpen, having Brandon Kintzler set up for Yimi Garcia. It seems like it was just a one-time thing though, as they went back to Garcia setting up for Kintzler later in the week.
- The Phillies bullpen, historically bad, is shifting around some more, as Hector Neris got a save chance this week while Brandon Workman pitched in the seventh inning. It's definitely a bullpen to just completely avoid if at all possible.
- Daniel Hudson has been really bad, with an ERA north of seven, but he's still getting save chances and has little competition in the Nationals bullpen now that Tanner Rainey might be done for the year.
- Veteran reliever Matt Andriese got two saves in two days for the Angels, so that's another name to throw in to the committee in Anaheim.
Roster Moves of the Week
Adds
Stefan Chrichton, Arizona Diamondbacks- Crichton looks to be the guy in the desert, so he's worth picking up down the stretch in hopes of a few saves.
Richard Rodriguez, Pittsburgh Pirates- Rodriguez pitches for the Pirates, which means he might not get a ton of save chances. But when the Pirates do have a save chance, it'll be him on the mound. He has good enough ratios to make him worth having in a fantasy lineup even if he isn't getting consistent saves.
Drops
Ken Giles, Toronto Blue Jays- It looks like Giles is done for the year, and at least for the remainder of the fantasy baseball season. No reason to hang on to him in any kind of redraft leagues.
Best of the Week
Matt Barnes, Boston Red Sox- 3 IP, 3 SV, 5 K, 0.00 ERA, 3 base runners allowed
Red Sox closer Matt Barnes had a shutdown week, saving three games while striking out five and allowing only two hits and a walk.
Stefan Crichton, Arizona Diamondbacks- 2 2/3 IP, 3 SV, 1 K, 0.00 ERA, 0 base runners allowed
New Diamondbacks closer Stefan Crichton was great this week, saving three games while not allowing a hit or a walk. He only struck out one, but he certainly got the job done.
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