Mark Melancon Tosses Perfect Ninth Inning To Close Out Dodgers

Atlanta Braves reliever Mark Melancon picked up a strikeout during a perfect ninth inning in Sunday's 5-3 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers on Sunday. It was his second converted save opportunity in as many days. After an incredibly shaky start to his Braves' tenure, the veteran right-hander is starting to find his groove. He […]

Wade Davis Immediately Falters As Closer

Colorado Rockies relief pitcher Wade Davis was promoted back into the closer role on Sunday when teammate Scott Oberg (clot) was put on the Injured List, and he immediately showed why he had been removed. Davis was given the standard save opportunity of a one-run lead in the top of the ninth inning at home, […]

Daily Slivers of the Fantasy Soapbox - Yesterday's Recap

Welcome to the Monday, August 19th edition of Daily Slivers of the Fantasy Soapbox. Discussing baseball is as fun as the game itself. It has a way of bringing people together to share different opinions about the sport we all love. A similar action can be done with fantasy baseball where we not only discuss […]

Vince Velasquez (SP/RP, PHI) - Week 21 Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in 14+ Team Leagues OWNED IN: 21% of leagues ANALYSIS: It hasn't turned into the push for the postseason that the Philadelphia Phillies were probably hoping for, but Vince Velasquez has been back as a full fledged member of the rotation, and he has been rather effective of late despite the up-and-down (though heavily […]

Joe Jimenez (RP, DET) - Week 21 Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in All Leagues OWNED IN: 26% of leagues ANALYSIS: The Detroit Tigers bullpen has seen better days, but at least they have 24-year-old, 2018 All-Star Joe Jimenez to smile on in the present and hold promise for towards the future. The entire Tigers pitching staff has 25 saves for 2019. 22 of those saves […]

Dillon Peters (SP/RP, LAA) - Week 21 Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in 14+ Team Leagues OWNED IN: 7% of leagues ANALYSIS: While his humdrum showing at Triple-A in 2019 didn't necessarily warrant a major league promotion, the Los Angeles Angels found themselves in need of a starting pitcher, and Dillon Peters has been a pleasant surprise in response. He has a 3.38 ERA and 1.26 […]

Scott Oberg Likely Done For Season

Colorado Rockies reliever Scott Oberg has been placed on the 10-day IL with a blood clot in his pitching arm, likely ending his season. Oberg was recently promoted to ninth-inning duties for the club picking up five saves this season with a shiny 2.25 ERA and 58 strikeouts in 56.0 IP. It's unaware who will […]

Brad Peacock Activated From IL

Houston Astros pitcher Brad Peacock has been activated from the IL after being out of action since the end of June. He's been shelved with a shoulder injury and will return to a relief role after spending the first half of the season as a starter. Peacock had mixed results this year with a 6-6 […]

Julio Urias To Stretch Out As Starter

While Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Julio Urias serves the remainder of his 20-game suspension, he'll stretch his arm to return as a starter. The 23-year-old has served primarily as a reliever this season in a multi-inning role collecting four wins and four saves with a 2.53 ERA. Urias' suspension will hold him out until September, […]

Sean Doolittle Placed on Injured List

Washington Nationals relief pitcher Sean Doolittle (knee) has been placed on the 10-day injured list on Sunday. He's dealing with right knee tendinitis, but this injury conveniently comes up after he gave up three home runs in the ninth inning on Saturday. Regardless, the Nats did need to lighten the workload on Doolittle. Daniel Hudson […]

Sean Doolittle Could Lose Closer Job

Washington Nationals relief pitcher Sean Doolittle could be in danger of losing his job as the closer after blowing the save on Saturday. Doolittle gave up three home runs in the loss on Saturday and has struggled heavily lately. Manager Dave Martinez has acknowledged that the Nats might need to head in another direction for […]

Buy or Sell: Undervalued and Overvalued Players for Week 21

Today's piece covers a set of players who either should not be available on waivers or will return back there soon. Most of the earlier editions of this recurring buy or sell article have included several universally owned players whose values have been manipulated enough by early-season performances. Unfortunately, as we get deeper into the year, the […]

Daily Slivers of the Fantasy Soapbox - Yesterday's Recap

Welcome to the Sunday, August 18th edition of Daily Slivers of the Fantasy Soapbox. Discussing baseball is as fun as the game itself. It has a way of bringing people together to share different opinions about the sport we all love. A similar action can be done with fantasy baseball where we not only discuss […]

The Cut List (Week 21) - Time to Let Go?

Thank you to Austyn Varney for filling in at the Cut List last week. Crunch time is approaching. If you're like me, you have multiple leads that are evaporating before your eyes, because fantasy baseball is never easy. Moments that require quick action can strike at any time. If your trade deadline has passed, the […]

Nick Mariano's Waiver Picks - Get 'Em While They're Hot (Premium Content)

All other Premium Tools can be accessed on the premium dashboard. The middle of August means the light at the end of the fantasy baseball's season tunnel is coming into view. A lot can change over the final month-plus, but you should have a concrete idea of how you're either staving off the competition or […]

H2H Category Streamers - Week 21 Waiver Wire

There are plenty of strategies that fantasy managers explore in hopes of getting an advantage over their opponent. Heavy lineup, heavy starting pitchers, no catcher, all (or mostly) reliever staff, no reliever staff, etc. Even if you play a balanced lineup, injuries can cause holes. A few weeks without a key player won’t kill a […]

Craig Kimbrel Set To Return Sunday

Chicago Cubs reliever Craig Kimbrel is set to return from the injured list Sunday before the team's series finale against the Pirates. Kimbrel has been out of action since August 5 when he was shelved with a knee injury. In his brief time with the Cubs, he's 9-for-11 in save opportunities while holding an impressive […]

Julio Urias Accepts 20-Game Suspension

Los Angeles Dodger pitcher Julio Urias was suspended 20 games by Major League Baseball on Saturday for violating the league's policy on domestic violence after an incident in May when he was witnessed shoving his girlfriend. Five of the games are counted as having been served when Urias was placed on administrative leave following the […]

Rowan Wick Picks Up First Save

Chicago Cubs relief pitcher Rowan Wick secured his first save of the season Saturday. The Cubs bullpen had blown back-to-back saves on Thursday and Friday, but Wick was able to secure the victory for Cubs on Saturday. Wick has quietly been having a productive year, but with Craig Kimbrel (knee) due back soon, Wick may […]

Aroldis Chapman Locks Down 35th Save

Yankees closer Aroldis Chapman needed only 10 pitches to set down the Cleveland Indians in order on Saturday afternoon, securing a 6-5 victory. After Zach Britton allowed a run in the eighth inning, bringing Cleveland to within one run, Chapman quickly slammed the door the ninth, striking out Greg Allen before getting Francisco Lindor to […]

Steve Cishek Could Return on Tuesday

Chicago Cubs relief pitcher Steve Cishek (hip) is scheduled to throw a bullpen session on Saturday. The team is hopeful that Cishek will be ready to return to the Cubs by Tuesday, assuming everything goes well. He's been sidelined with left hip inflammation, but it doesn't sound too serious. He should get save chances in […]

Ian Kennedy Locks Down 21st Save

Kansas City Royals closer Ian Kennedy has been quite the surprise this season, but he continues to do his job and shut down the ninth inning. Kennedy nailed down his 21st save of the season with a scoreless frame against the Mets on Friday. It was a bit exciting, as he allowed two hits and […]

Daily Slivers of the Fantasy Soapbox - Yesterday's Recap

Welcome to the Saturday, August 17th edition of Daily Slivers of the Fantasy Soapbox. Discussing baseball is as fun as the game itself. It has a way of bringing people together to share different opinions about the sport we all love. A similar action can be done with fantasy baseball where we not only discuss […]

Matt Wisler Named Opener on Friday

Seattle Mariners pitcher Matt Wisler has been named as the opener for Friday's game against the Toronto Blue Jays. Wisler has not been scored on during his other five opener assignments. This strategy appears to be working for the Mariners, so they will continue to use it. Wade LeBlanc will pitch a bulk of the […]

Cubs Activate Brandon Kintzler

The Chicago Cubs have activated relief pitcher Brandon Kintzler (pectoral) from the 10-day disabled list. Kintzler missed just over a week with a pectoral strain and could see save opportunities with Craig Kimbrel (knee) sidelined. He’s worth consideration in leagues that value holds and saves.

Jonathan Loaisiga Allows Four Runs In Return

After missing three months with a right shoulder strain, New York Yankees pitcher Jonathan Loaisiga made his return Thursday night. Alongside his other pitchers on the night, the 24-year-old received a 19-5 drubbing at the hands of the Cleveland Indians. Loaisiga entered the game in the first inning after Chad Green allowed five runs. He […]

Daily Slivers of the Fantasy Soapbox - Yesterday's Recap

Welcome to the Friday, August 16th edition of Daily Slivers of the Fantasy Soapbox. Discussing baseball is as fun as the game itself. It has a way of bringing people together to share different opinions about the sport we all love. A similar action can be done with fantasy baseball where we not only discuss […]

Closers and Saves Report - Week 20 Waiver Wire

It wasn't a huge week in terms of bullpen news, which was actually kind of nice after two weeks of shuffling and hustling throughout Major League Baseball's bullpens. There were some smaller things that happened this week though, that could lead to bigger news down the road. Some trade deadline acquisitions don't look like they're […]

Digger Deeper: AL-Only Waiver Wire Report for Week 20

Every week in baseball, a significant player will hit the disabled list, slip into a slump, or get traded out of a good spot. How fantasy owners adapt to these situations can make or break the season as a whole. One lousy add might not hurt the long-term standing of a team, but failing to […]

Craig Kimbrel Nearing A Return

Chicago Cubs closer Craig Kimbrel (knee) threw his second bullpen session on Thursday and could rejoin the team soon. Manager Joe Maddon said he expects the team to decide on Friday whether Kimbrel will make any rehab appearances or be activated from the injured list. Reliever Steve Cishek is expected to throw a bullpen session […]