The All Star Break provides time for reflection, and a chance to look at just where your team has gone wrong. Or right, if the case may be.
As all of you fantasy veterans well know, you can never be too comfortable in first place, or too far out in last. Not with more than two months left of the season. That said, now is the time to start looking for those players that can help you gain elusive points in category leagues.
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That is where I come in. I will provide players that can help in each 5×5 category at each position. Some of these guys may be one-category wonders, but if you need that category, is it really such a bad thing?
Most of these guys you will have to trade for. Trades are not a bad thing. They are often the only way you can get your team back into contention.
Would you trade him for
Billy Hamilton? Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
In one of my leagues for example, someone just traded Carlos Gonzalez for Billy Hamilton. Straight up. He was miles ahead in runs and homers, but near the bottom in steals. So he went out and got the one guy who can net him upwards of five points in that category for the rest of the season. Some in the league complained, but I thought it was brilliant. There is no one else that can give him what he needs like Hamilton.
This piece will focus on relief pitchers. The catchers are here. The first basemen are here. The second basemen are here. The shortstops are here. The third basemen are here. The outfielders are here. The starting pitchers are here.
For once, I will not be offering my opinions here. You can tell by the standings what your team needs to stay in contention.
For the pitchers, we will do things a little differently. There are so many more players, so I will include the top ten in each category.
The numbers should speak for themselves.
The Yankees spell relief B-E-T-A-N-C-E-S. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
Strikeouts:
Dellin Betances, 88
Sean Doolittle, 65
Carlos Torres, 64
Craig Kimbrel, 64
Kenley Jansen, 63
Wade Davis, 62
Jake Diekman, 62
Andrew Miller, 61
Aroldis Chapman, 61
David Robertson, 60
Trevor Rosenthal, 60
Koji Uehara, 59
Sleeper: Brad Boxberger. He has 21 Ks in his last 14 innings.
Dunn is one of two Marlins with seven wins out of the bullpen already. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports
Wins:
Mike Dunn, 7
Dan Otero, 7
Bryan Morris, 7
Tony Watson, 6
Wade Davis, 5
Koji Uehara, 5
Jean Machi, 5
Jared Hughes, 5
Daniel Webb, 5
Sleeper: Brad Brach. All of his wins have come in the last month, meaning the Orioles are using him in pressure siutations. More wins could come.
Did you know that Rosenthal is tied for the MLB lead in saves? Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports
Saves:
Craig Kimbrel, 30
Trevor Rosenthal, 30
Kenley Jansen, 28
Fernando Rodney, 27
Greg Holland, 25
Huston Street, 24
David Robertson, 24
Addison Reed, 23
Sleeper: Jake McGee. He seems to be the undisputed closer of the Rays right now, and has a good ERA while doing it.
There is a good reason Pat Neshek was an all star. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
ERA: (minimum 25IP)
Pat Neshek, 0.68
Neil Ramirez, 1.00
Santiago Casilla, 1.01
Huston Street, 1.06
Jonathan Broxton, 1.06
Darren O’Day, 1.06
Wade Davis, 1.11
Drew Storen, 1.13
Zach Duke, 1.13
Jonathan Papelbon, 1.17
Sleeper: Andrew Miller. Miller has not given up a run since June 20th
Doolittle has the best WHIP among closers. Mandatory Credit: Scott Rovak-USA TODAY Sports
WHIP:
Pat Neshek, 0.60
Sean Doolittle, 0.65
Dellin Betances, 0.72
Koji Uehara, 0.74
Wade Davis, 0.76
Huston Street, 0.76
Jonathan Broxton, 0.79
Joakim Soria, 0.80
Tony Sipp, 0.81
Santiago Casilla, 0.81
Sleeper: Craig Kimbrel. Yeah, sleeper attached to Kimbrel is a bit ridiculous, but his WHIP is a microscopic 0.31 over the last month. If you have to pay for a closer, you need to know the best one to aim for, right?
What we have learned here is that when all of the intangibles are involved, Uehara, Street, and Kimbrel stand out above the rest. There are also some good names to target for K’s.