Wade Davis is once again healthy and closing games for the Royals
We’re almost there, folks. Fantasy playoffs have already started for some and will be starting soon for everyone else. We hope your teams are a part of the playoffs and that you still care about things like closers and saves. If not, there’s always next year (and consider dynasty leagues if you just can’t stand having an offseason). Let’s jump right in:
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Closer News From Around The League
San Francisco Giants
Giants closer Santiago Casilla, to the surprise of very few, blew another save this week, his seventh of the season. He has 31 saves and a not-awful 3.52 ERA, but he’s blown seven games now and with the Giants just barely hanging on to their playoff spot, manager Bruce Bochy may be forced to make a move sooner rather than later. Sergio Romo is the most likely option, but the newly-promoted veteran Joe Nathan may also be given a shot. It’s a situation to keep an eye on, because while none of these options will have elite fantasy upside, saves are saves, and every advantage makes a difference in the playoffs.
Los Angeles Angels
Remember Andrew Bailey? Yeah, 2009’s Rookie of the Year, who saved 26 games and posted a 1.84 ERA that year for the Oakland A’s. Well, he’s back and he’s saving games again, this time for another AL West team, the Los Angeles Angels. While he has not been officially named the team’s closer, he can be seen at least as the head of the Angels ninth-inning committee. He recorded two saves this week in back-to-back games and will likely continue to get the largest share of save opportunities. He can be added by any fantasy managers looking for some last minute saves.
Kansas City Royals
Royals closer Wade Davis is finally back from the disabled list and into his customary ninth-inning role. He made his first appearance since late July this week and blew a save, but came back the next day to record the final two outs of the game and record a save. Manager Ned Yost may take it easy on Davis, perhaps trying to limit the number of consecutive games he will pitch, but he should, for the most part, be the full-fledged closer for the Wild Card hopeful Kansas City Royals. Owners who have stashed him on the DL for weeks, activate him now and reap the rewards for your patience.
Injury Updates
For the first time in a long, long time, there are no significant bullpen injuries to report. Imagine a tumbleweed gif here, for effect.
Top Performers From September 1 – September 8, 2016
Jeurys Familia (NYM): 4 IP, 6 K, 3 SV, 0.00 ERA, 0.50 WHIP
Mets closer Jeurys Familia appeared in four games this week, pitching one inning in each. He struck out six, allowed just two hits, and recorded three saves.
Kenley Jansen (LAD): 4 IP, 7 K, 3 SV, 0.00 ERA, 0.25 WHIP
Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen had a similar but even better week than his Mets counterpart. Also in four games, Jansen allowed only one hit, striking out seven hitters and saving three wins.
Tyler Thornburg (MIL): 3 IP, 2 K, 3 SV, 0.00 ERA, 0.33 WHIP
Brewers closer Tyler Thornburg wraps up the three-save closers for the week. He picked up three saves in three games, but did not have the strikeouts of the other two fireballers on this week’s list. Still, he allowed only a walk while saving the three wins. Thornburg is only owned in 48% of fantasy leagues right now and could be a sneaky asset in the fantasy playoffs.
David A. Marcillo is a correspondent at FantasyPros. To read more from David, check out his archive and follow him @DavidMarcillo77.
