RADIO
BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues
ROSTERED IN: 46% of Leagues
ANALYSIS: With the removal of Adbert Alzolay from the closer role for the Cubs after a fourth blown save already in the early going of 2024, an opportunity was created for another reliever to take over the job. Hector Neris was called upon to record the save in the second game of the Cubs' doubleheader this past Saturday and since then he's recorded two more saves in consecutive days on Wednesday and Thursday.
It hasn't been without drama though. Neris came into the ninth inning with a 4-2 lead over the Astros Wednesday, then promptly gave up a home run to Jose Altuve before retiring the next three batters to preserve the 4-3 victory. On Thursday, Neris again came on in the ninth with a 3-1 lead and walked the first two batters he faced, bringing the winning run to the plate with no outs in the inning. The 34-year-old proceeded to induce three straight groundouts to get out of the inning with the victory.
Héctor Neris escapes the jam against his former team and is PUMPED! pic.twitter.com/SchDL9q4mk
— MLB (@MLB) April 25, 2024
It had been much of the same prior to taking over ninth-inning duties and the righty now has a 4.00 ERA, 1.78 WHIP, and a -2.4% K-BB% (yes, that's a negative 2.4%). Regardless of how he got there, the veteran now has three saves on the season.
It was thought that potentially Mark Leiter Jr. could compete for ninth-inning duties as his numbers are sparkling so far on the season with a 0.00 ERA, 1.05 WHIP, and a 15.7% K-BB%, but it appears the Cubs don't want to mess around with his role. Neris has the edge when it comes to experience too, with 92 career saves compared to Leiter's seven.
Fantasy managers who want to take a chance on Neris may have a good shot at getting him as he's available in over 50% of Yahoo leagues at this point, just know that the potential save could cost you in WHIP and ERA.
More Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Pickups
Shane Baz - Fantasy Baseball Prospects Waiver Wire Stashes (Week 7)
BALLER MOVE: Stash in Deeper Leagues CALL-UP ETA: June ANALYSIS: One of our favorite pitching prospects is Shane Baz. Depending on where you look, Baz has graduated off lists that use service time, but he's still under the 50-inning threshold and worthy of discussing in an article such as this. After missing all of 2023 due... Read More
Alex Lange - Closers and Saves Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Adds
BALLER MOVE: Add in 14+ Team Leagues ROSTERED IN: 44% of Leagues ANALYSIS: After recording 26 saves for the Detroit Tigers in 2023 as the team's primary closer, Alex Lange was expected to be the team's closer heading into 2024. A somewhat rough spring for Lange prompted manager A.J. Hinch to use Jason Foley in the... Read More
Joe Kelly - Closers and Saves Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Analysis (Week 7)
BALLER MOVE: Add in 12-14+ Team Leagues / NL-Only Leagues ROSTERED IN: 3% of Leagues ANALYSIS: Los Angeles Dodgers closer Evan Phillips (hamstring) was placed on the 15-day injured list on Sunday with a Grade 1 hamstring injury. Although Phillips is expected to remain sidelined only for a minimum stint, several save opportunities will now be... Read More
Paul Skenes - Fantasy Baseball Prospects Waiver Wire Analysis (Week 7)
PROSPECT: Paul Skenes, SP, Pittsburgh Pirates ERIC CROSS' LATEST PROSPECT STASH RANKING: #3 CALL-UP ETA: May ANALYSIS: Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitching prospect Paul Skenes has been lighting up Triple-A and is on the verge of making his major league debut. The former number-one overall pick in the 2023 MLB Draft has posted an incredible 0.39... Read More
Coby Mayo - Fantasy Baseball Prospects Waiver Wire Analysis (Week 7)
PROSPECT: Coby Mayo, 3B, Baltimore Orioles ERIC CROSS' LATEST PROSPECT STASH RANKING: #5 CALL-UP ETA: May ANALYSIS: Baltimore Orioles third base prospect Coby Mayo has been one of the best power hitters in the minor league this season and is nearing his major league debut. With Triple-A Norfolk, Mayo has posted a .313/.376/.642 line with... Read More
Download Our Free News & Alerts Mobile App
Like what you see? Download our updated fantasy baseball app for iPhone and Android with 24x7 player news, injury alerts, sleepers, prospects & more. All free!
Check out RotoBaller's entire fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups and sleepers list, updated daily!
