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There hasn’t been a ton of notable action over the past few days, aside from the Mariners bullpen continuing to be terrible. Below are some closers and saves updates from around MLB.
For a complete look at all the bullpen situations across the MLB, check out and bookmark our MLB Closer Depth Charts.
Editor’s Note: to read about even more waiver wire options for closers and relief pitchers, be sure to check out our famous waiver wire pickups list which is a running list that is updated daily.
Closers & Saves Updates for Week 19
Alex Wilson (DET)
Wilson remains one of the best relief pitching waiver wire options on the board right now. At only 24.2% owned in ESPN leagues, he can be added in most leagues.
In the last two games, he’s added a save and a win to his resume without allowing a run. It doesn’t appear that he’ll be earning many strikeouts, but he seems to be in line for save opportunities in the immediate future for the Tigers. Strikeout ace Bruce Rondon has been racking up the K's in his recent appearances so he is worthy of a mention as well in case the Wilson experiment fails in the coming weeks.
Santiago Casilla (SF)
Casilla has been solid all year, recording 27 saves and 40 strikeouts in 39 innings of work. He also gets into some precarious situations, and has five blown saves to show for it. He has allowed seven runs in his last 9.1 innings and just hasn’t been the shut down closer that a contending team like the Giants needs. Sergio Romo has also struggled this year with a 3.68 ERA, even though he is picking up a ton of strikeouts.
The situation is even trickier for the Giants management, since some of the setup men are having incredible seasons. Hunter Strickland averages more than a strikeout per inning and has given up only one run in his last 17 appearances. Lefty specialist Javier Lopez has now gone 12 straight appearances without allowing a run. If a new closer was to step in, it would most like be the power pitcher in Strickland, but at this point it’s all speculation.
Keep an eye on the Giants bullpen in the coming weeks. If Strickland does get the nod, he’d instantly become the hottest waiver wire closer out there.
Shawn Tolleson (TEX)
Tolleson has had a nice run of late and is a great waiver wire option if still available. After a slight rough patch, he’s now only given up one run in his last nine appearances, picking up six saves and a win in that stretch. He has also recored ten strikeouts in that time span.
At only 66% owned in Yahoo leagues and the Rangers really picking up offensively, I recommend grabbing him.
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