We’ve got about two weeks left in what has been a crazy but fun 2020 sprint of a season. Considering the season is only about two months long, two weeks gives up plenty of time to make up some ground in the standings. In this week’s closer rankings and bullpen depth charts, we finally see a new closer take the number one spot in the rest of season rankings. As usual, let’s dive in and see what else has changed in the bullpen landscape over the last week.
AL East Bullpen Update
Hunter Harvey continues to get work in but has yet to see a save situation. He’s made three scoreless appearances since giving up a run in his season debut. While Cesar Valdez did complete a two-inning save Friday against the Yankee, Harvey should theoretically be the guy to own. Though, it would have to be in a deeper league where all possible save sources are rostered.
Matt Barnes picked up a save Friday then blew a save Tuesday. This is pretty much what you’re going to get with Barnes, inconsistency. But there are really no better options in Boston, so Barnes will continue to see the save chances.
Aroldis Chapman blew a save chance Friday against the Mets after he allowed a game-tying solo shot to J.D. Davis. He came back the following day and pitched the seventh inning protecting a two-run lead against the Orioles, striking out two and walking one. Chapman has made only six appearances this season after starting late due to COVID and has been inconsistent. With a three-game suspension appeal looming, it’s hard to justify Chapman in the top-five at this point. A strong run in these final weeks is possible. He did strike out the side on Wednesday in what turned out to be a non-save outing after the Yankees scored two runs in the top of the inning.
The rest of the Yankee bullpen has been a mess and is in part responsible for the recent skid the team has faced. Chad Green has struck out only one batter in the last four outings and gave up three runs to the Blue Jays on Monday. Meanwhile, Adam Ottavino gave up six runs on that same night and failed to record an out.
On Friday against the Marlins, the Rays went into the seventh inning with a one-run lead. It was Peter Fairbanks, Diego Castillo, and Nick Anderson in the seventh, eighth, and ninth, respectively. It would be awesome if Kevin Cash could just keep things that way. But we know that’s unlikely to happen. It was nice to see Anderson get the save in his return from the injured list. He’s still the reliever to own here. All three could be rostered in roto formats for ratios, strikeouts, and an occasional save chance.
After Jordan Romano was placed on the injured list, Rafael Dolis and Anthony Bass figured to be in the mix for saves. It’s been Dolis that has proven to be more effective as he’s recorded the last two saves for Toronto. He pitched a clean inning with two strikeouts each time out and should continue to get the saves until Ken Giles returns. Barring any setbacks, Giles could return as early as this weekend.
AL Central Bullpen Update
Alex Colome picked up two more saves this week, giving him nine on the year. He’s been as consistent as they come this year with a 1.15 ERA. Colome will enter free agency after this season, so keep an eye on Evan Marshall and Matt Foster in dynasty leagues for 2021. Though, if Aaron Bummer is healthy, I imagine he’d get the first chance at the job, having already signed an extension with the team.
Brad Hand picked up two more saves and a win on the week, giving him 12 saves on the season. Hand struck out the side on Monday against the Royals. He has not allowed an earned run since July 29 and has earned back the trust of fantasy managers. It was looking like James Karinchak was primed to take over the closer role, but he took a step back recently and was skipped over in a few games while he worked on things. He made an appearance on Tuesday, pitching a clean inning with two strikeouts.
Gregory Soto was charged with a blown save Friday against the Twins. After pitching on back-to-back days, it was Bryan Garcia earning the save for Detroit on Sunday. While I wouldn’t drop Gregory Soto just yet, this is a situation I’m not trusting going forward.
In what is likely to remain some sort of committee going forward, Greg Holland pitched the seventh and eighth innings on Tuesday, and Scott Barlow recorded the save in the ninth. Then Greg Holland was called upon for the save on Wednesday. That’s two for Holland, and one for Barlow since Trevor Rosenthal was traded. It doesn’t appear as though Josh Staumont will be used in any save opportunities, who had his first blowup outing on Sunday, giving up three runs.
Taylor Rogers picked up his eighth save in the first game of a doubleheader on Friday against the Tigers. Trevor May took the ball in the ninth for the save in the second game. Rogers struck out the side in the ninth on Monday in a non-save situation with the Twins up by four runs. Rogers remains an excellent source of saves for the season. He’s been pitching better than his numbers indicate with a 1.63 FIP and 2.63 xFIP to go with his 3.77 ERA.
AL West Bullpen Update
Ryan Pressly picked up his eighth save of the season and has been looking sharper lately after a rough start to the season. Though he did take a loss Wednesday after giving up a run in the bottom of the ninth in a tie game. The Astros got some much-needed reinforcements in the bullpen this week with the return of Brad Peacock and Josh James. Though James looked rough in his first outing, blowing the two-run lead in the seventh inning.
Felix Pena had looked like he pitched himself into a timeshare for the closer role. Then he might have just pitched himself out of it. He gave up three runs on Saturday to the Astros, blowing the save but earning the win. Then he gave up two runs on Sunday. Both he and Ty Buttrey picked up a save this week.
Liam Hendriks picked up his 11th save on the year Tuesday and has followed up a breakout year with another fantastic season. He carries a 1.47 ERA with 27 strikeouts in 18.1 innings into the last two weeks of the season.
After depleting their bullpen at the trade deadline, Yoshihisa Hirano steps into the closer role. He picked up his first save of the season this week. He did not pitch on back-to-back days, and it was Yohan Ramirez who picked up two saves in both instances where Hirano was unavailable.
Rafael Montero made just one appearance, pitching a clean inning against Seattle on Sunday. He has seven saves since debuting a month ago.
NL East Bullpen Update
There were no save chances for Mark Melancon this week, but he did make an appearance Monday, pitching a clean inning against the Marlins. It’s another status quo situation.
Brandon Kintzler needed just two pitches to pick up a one-out save on Saturday against the Rays. He then proceeded to blow the save in back-to-back days Sunday and Monday. His job as the closer seems pretty secure, as he has nine saves on the year. Though, he’s been unspectacular, to say the least, with only eight strikeouts in 16.1 innings.
Edwin Diaz picked up his third save of the year on Wednesday. While he can be a rollercoaster to own, he’s enjoyed a season much better than his 2019. Diaz owns a 2.00 ERA with 39 strikeouts in 19 innings. Since Seth Lugo entered the starting rotation, Diaz faces little competition for the ninth-inning role and should be a top-10 option for the remainder of the season.
Brandon Workman and Hector Neris picked up a save and a win each this week. Neris picked up his save in the tenth inning Monday after Workman pitched a scoreless ninth in a tie game. Workman did a great job of limiting hard contact last season despite his walk issues. He just hasn’t had the same fortune this year with a 3.94 ERA, though he 9-for-10 in save chances.
After a week with no save chances, Daniel Hudson saw them in bunches this week. He picked up three, bringing his season total to nine.
NL Central Bullpen Update
The Cubs are rolling with the hot hand in the ninth inning. Jeremy Jeffress picked up two more saves this week for a total of six on the year. He should be owned in any league where all closers are rostered, such as 15 team roto leagues. Rowan Wick could be dropped in such leagues. Jeffress won’t do much for strikeouts, but he’s getting the job done for Chicago.
Raisel Iglesias picked up a save on Friday, then suffered a loss and blown save Sunday. Archie Bradley pitched a clean inning on Saturday and would be the next in line to close should Iglesias be unavailable.
This bullpen has become the most exciting to watch as Josh Hader and Devin Williams make an electric duo in the late innings. Hader did allow his first hits of the season Saturday against Cleveland and suffered the loss. Devin Williams actually has better numbers across the board, including a 53.8% strikeout rate. While Hader remains a top-tier closing option, Devin Williams should be owned just about everywhere by now.
Richard Rodriguez picked up a save and two wins this week, pitching three shutout innings. He’s had a pretty good season thus far, with a 3.38 ERA and 12.05 K/9. I just wouldn’t trust the Pirates to give him many opportunities over the final weeks, but as a closer, he should be owned where saves are needed.
The Cardinals’ situation was looking like a committee when they resumed play. Giovanny Gallegos has been fantastic, locking down the closer role. He picked up his third and fourth saves of the season, including a four-out save Tuesday against the Twins. St. Louis still has a whopping 23 games remaining to play. Plenty of opportunities should arise for Gallegos, making him one of the better closers to own for the final weeks.
NL West Bullpen Update
After Arizona traded Archie Bradley at the deadline, the closer role was up in the air. Turns out, Kevin Ginkel would assume the role. He picked up his first save of the year Friday, and manager Terry Lovullo stated he’s likely to stick with Ginkel for the time being.
Daniel Bard hadn’t pitched in the majors since 2013, and he here is now with six saves for the Rockies. He picked up two more this week and is 6-for-6 on save chances.
One of the top closers in the rankings, Kenley Jansen, gave up two runs to the Diamondbacks on Tuesday but ultimately got a win. He needed 31 pitches in the outing, so he was unavailable Wednesday as Blake Treinen picked up the save.
Trevor Rosenthal might just have the closer job to himself. He picked up two saves on the week with Drew Pomeranz pitching the eighth inning on both occasions.
Tony Watson was one of the favorites to win the closer job coming out of camp, but it wasn’t until this week when he finally recorded a save. He picked up two as the Giants have moved on to a full committee. Both Sam Coonrod and Tyler Rogers picked up saves as well. With San Francisco playing well right now, Watson could see a few more chances come his way down the stretch. He’s been by far the most consistent reliever in the Giants bullpen with a 0.64 ERA.
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