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Closer Report: Andrew Miller, Fernando Salas, Ken Giles

Closer Report: Andrew Miller, Fernando Salas, Ken Giles
Andrew Miller

The Indians are using Andrew Miller as they should…to the detriment of fantasy owners

It’s been a while Closer Report readers, and I am glad to be back. After a few weeks off, Closer Report should be back each week through the end of the season. Let’s jump right into this week’s news and notes for ninth-inning arms.

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Closer News From Around The League

Cleveland Indians
When the Cleveland Indians traded for New York Yankees setup-man-but-also-sometimes-closer Andrew Miller, the thought was that those hyphens would disappear immediately and he’d become Cleveland Indians closer Andrew Miller. That has not quite been the case, as manager Terry Francona has been using Miller to face the toughest hitters in the late innings, regardless of the specific inning in question. In other words, while it is incredibly frustrating for Miller’s owners in fantasy leagues, Francona has been using his best reliever in the best way possible to help his team win ballgames. It’s a concerning trend for fantasy players, but definitely a positive one for Indians fans. Cody Allen has retained a more traditional closer’s role, with Miller the one who mixes and matches based on pitcher-hitter match up. Miller’s so effective that he’s worth owning regardless of saves, but Allen should retain value as well.

Los Angeles Angels
Los Angeles Angels closer of the past and present Huston Street is on the disabled list. Los Angeles Angels closer of the future Cam Bedrosian is also on the disabled list. So the Angels did what almost all teams with back-end of the bullpen injury issues do; they went to a closer by committee. Since the team lost 11 games in a row, they had no need for a closer for a while, but as soon as the situation came up, Fernando Salas was the man on the mound. Salas picked up his third save of the season this week but has concerning peripherals. His 4.38 ERA is very high for a closer, and he’s posted a career worst K/9 of just 6.84. If he ends up being named the team’s closer, then he is worth a pick up of course, but as part of a committee, he may be better off left on the wire.

Houston Astros
The Houston Astros closer role has been a bit of a revolving door this season. They have had saves from Ken Giles, Luke Gregerson, Will Harris, Chris Devenski, and Tony Sipp, and the first three mentioned have been officially named the team’s closer at one point or another. Gregerson began the season as the ninth-inning man, then he was supplanted by Harris, who was then (recently) moved out of the role for Giles. The Astros acquired Giles in the offseason for a huge package of prospects so it makes sense that they finally got him right after plenty of struggles and put him into the ninth inning where they presumably want to keep him for several years. Giles is an absolute must-own in all formats, as his strikeout upside is enormous and he should be earning consistent saves. The Will Harris ride was fun while it lasted, but he’ll slide back into his setup role along with Gregerson.

Injury Updates

Miami Marlins closer A.J. Ramos warmed up with the team and played catch this week. He was placed on the disabled list retroactive to August 6th with a fractured right middle finger, but he and the team expect him to be back close to his first eligible return date. Fernando Rodney has been named the closer while Ramos is out, but neither he nor the Marlins have been playing well lately. Rodney is worth rostering until Ramos returns, though.

Top Performers From August 11 – August 18

Tony Watson (PIT): 4 IP, 2 K, 4 SV, 2.45 ERA, 1.91 WHIP
It wasn’t a particularly great statistical week for Pirates closer Watson, as he only struck out two and had a bloated WHIP and imperfect ERA. The four saves are hard to overlook, though, as he was the only pitcher with that many in the time span. In his four innings, he allowed five hits and two walks but only one run. He earned a save in four of the five games he appeared in this week.

Dellin Betances (NYY): 3 IP, 6 K, 3 SV, 0.00 ERA, 1.33 WHIP
Finally keeping the closer’s role in the Bronx all to himself, Betances had an excellent week. In three innings, he struck out six batters and allowed two hits and two walks. He saved every game he appeared in, and he should be one of the top closer options going forward. He’s somehow owned in just 86% of fantasy leagues, so have a look at your wire. You never know what surprises may be on there.

Seung-Hwan Oh (STL): 5 IP, 11 K, 2 SV, 0.00 ERA, 0.86 WHIP
“The Final Boss” had a wild week. While we don’t often see closers with only two saves in the Top Performers section, I don’t think we’ve ever seen a closer with 11 strikeouts in a week! Oh was used for multiple-inning opportunities this week by manager Mike Matheny, racking up his five innings in just three games. He allowed three hits and a walk in the process.


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David A. Marcillo is a correspondent at FantasyPros. To read more from David, check out his archiveand follow him @DavidMarcillo77.

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