Each week during the season, I take a look at the reliever landscape to aid with waiver wire decisions. It’s time to prep for the fantasy playoffs as there are only a few scoring periods left for the regular season.
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Saves + Holds Leaders
Here are the top 15 healthy relievers in total saves plus holds through August 20.
| Player | Team | SV+H |
| Abner Uribe | MIL | 35 |
| Robert Suarez | SDP | 33 |
| Carlos Estevez | KCR | 32 |
| Tony Santillan | CIN | 31 |
| Andres Munoz | SEA | 29 |
| Trevor Megill | MIL | 29 |
| Jason Adam | SDP | 28 |
| Jeremiah Estrada | SDP | 28 |
| Hunter Gaddis | CLE | 28 |
| Jeff Hoffman | TOR | 27 |
| Emilio Pagan | CIN | 27 |
| Bryan Abreu | HOU | 26 |
| Aroldis Chapman | BOS | 26 |
| Cade Smith | CLE | 26 |
| Alex Vesia | LAD | 26 |
Takeaways
- Abner Uribe is distancing himself from the rest of the relievers, as the Brewers have been the best team in the second half. On the season, he’s put up a 1.82 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and 11 K/9 across 59.1 innings. He ranks 25th among relievers in strikeout-minus-walk rate (K-BB%), and his expected ERA (xERA) is in the 92nd percentile.
- Hunter Gaddis has gone six straight outings without allowing a run. During this impressive streak, he’s struck out four batters and walked four, but has only allowed two hits in five innings. He’s traded some of his lower ratios from last season for more strikeouts this year, but he’s been pretty well just as valuable in saves plus holds leagues.
- Cade Smith hasn’t been quite as dominant as he was last year, but he has still been excellent. His season line sits at a 2.83 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and 12.1 K/9. He’s the 13th-ranked reliever in K-BB%, and his xERA is in the 97th percentile.
Saves + Holds Reliever Rankings
| Rank | Player | Team | Change |
| 1 | Robert Suarez | SDP | – |
| 2 | Andres Munoz | SEA | +1 |
| 3 | Abner Uribe | MIL | +2 |
| 4 | Edwin Diaz | NYM | -2 |
| 5 | Bryan Abreu | HOU | -1 |
| 6 | Cade Smith | CLE | – |
| 7 | Jhoan Duran | PHI | – |
| 8 | Aroldis Chapman | BOS | – |
| 9 | Mason Miller | SDP | – |
| 10 | Daniel Palencia | CHC | – |
| 11 | Trevor Megill | MIL | +1 |
| 12 | Jeff Hoffman | TOR | -1 |
| 13 | Carlos Estevez | KCR | +1 |
| 14 | Jason Adam | SDP | +1 |
| 15 | Griffin Jax | TBR | -2 |
| 16 | Emilio Pagan | CIN | – |
| 17 | Luke Weaver | NYY | +1 |
| 18 | Kyle Finnegan | DET | +2 |
| 19 | Alex Vesia | LAD | -2 |
| 20 | Randy Rodriguez | SFG | +1 |
| 21 | David Bednar | NYY | +1 |
| 22 | Tony Santillan | CIN | +1 |
| 23 | Hunter Gaddis | CLE | +1 |
| 24 | Bryan King | HOU | +3 |
| 25 | Phil Maton | TEX | -6 |
| 26 | Jeremiah Estrada | SDP | -1 |
| 27 | Lucas Erceg | KCR | -1 |
| 28 | Matt Brash | SEA | +2 |
| 29 | Will Vest | DET | +3 |
| 30 | JoJo Romero | STL | -2 |
| 31 | Matt Strahm | PHI | -2 |
| 32 | Tyler Rogers | NYM | +2 |
| 33 | Camilo Doval | NYY | -2 |
| 34 | Ben Casparius | LAD | -3 |
| 35 | Robert Garcia | TEX | -2 |
| 36 | Dennis Santana | PIT | +3 |
| 37 | Raisel Iglesias | ATL | UN |
| 38 | Devin Williams | NYY | -2 |
| 39 | Brendon Little | TOR | -1 |
| 40 | Ronny Henriquez | MIA | – |
Biggest Risers
Bryan King (RP – HOU) | +3
While Josh Hader and Bryan Abreu have gotten all the attention in the Astros’ bullpen, Bryan King has quietly been just as good. He has lowered his ERA to 2.96, accompanied by a 1.10 WHIP and 10.1 strikeouts per nine innings. He was a late bloomer, only getting his MLB chance at age 27, but his strikeout and walk rates showcase elite skills.
Raisel Iglesias (RP – ATL) | Unranked
Raisel Iglesias has made his way back into the top 40. His ERA is under 4.00 for the first time since April 19 as he’s currently riding a 12-outing scoreless streak. In his last 12 innings, he’s allowed only five hits, zero walks and struck out 11 batters. He leads the league with seven saves since August 1.
Biggest Fallers
Phil Maton (RP – TEX) | -6
Phil Maton has struggled of late. He’s allowed runs in three of his past five outings, giving up six total runs in 5.1 innings. His expected stats still look like an elite reliever, but his walk rate has risen since arriving in Texas.
While his xERA is 2.98 on the season, his FIP (6.00) and xFIP (4.15) are much worse since the trade. He’s already allowed two home runs for the Rangers while only giving up one in 38.1 innings for the Cardinals.
Ryan Helsley (RP – NYM) | Unranked
Ryan Helsley has dropped completely out of the top 40. His ERA is nearing four at 3.61, and his WHIP is downright damaging at 1.49. He hasn’t picked up a single save or hold since being acquired by the Mets, and he’s given up runs in five of eight appearances. He is completely untrustworthy.
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