Fantasy Baseball Closers: Week One Closer Battles

Apr 5, 2017; Arlington, TX, USA; Texas Rangers second baseman Rougned Odor (12) talks with relief pitcher Sam Dyson (47) and catcher Jonathan Lucroy (25) during the ninth inning against the Cleveland Indians at Globe Life Park in Arlington. Cleveland won 9-6. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports Fantasy Baseball Closers /

Fantasy Baseball Closers: Week One Waiver Advice

25 MLB closers combined for a total of 38 saves through Friday of Week One, while notable closers such as Mark Melancon and Francisco Rodriguez were unsuccessful in their lone save chances, as they blew leads for their respective teams.

While it is just the first week of the MLB season and you can’t win a division in such a short span, you definitely can dig a hole that you can’t climb out of later in the season if your closers aren’t in top-notch form from the get go.

Let’s take a look at some teams with some serious question marks over who should be handling their closing duties in week two…

Fantasy Baseball Closers: Texas Rangers

Apr 3, 2017; Arlington, TX, USA; Texas Rangers relief pitcher Sam Dyson (47) reacts after being pulled from the game during the ninth inning against the Cleveland Indians at Globe Life Park in Arlington. The Indians defeat the Rangers 8-5. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /

Sam Dyson headlines the list of closers to worry about losing their job after an absolutely horrendous week. He gave up eight earned runs in one inning of work in two games. His ERA currently sits at 72.00 and his WHIP is a whopping 9.000.

Matt Bush is the next man up in the Texas bullpen that could relieve Dyson of his duties. Bush has pitched in 60 games in the MLB and has a 7-2 record with a 2.52 ERA and a 0.933 WHIP.

I could see the Rangers still giving Dyson a bit more time, but with a very short leash. Another rough outing or two in the next week could end up in him surrendering his job to Bush.

Fantasy Baseball Closers – Oakland Athletics:

Sep 7, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Athletics relief pitcher Ryan Madson (44) pitches the ball against the Los Angeles Angels during the ninth inning at Oakland Coliseum. The Oakland Athletics defeated the Los Angeles Angels 4-1. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /

While the Oakland Athletics claim to be rolling with a closer-by-committee strategy, that may end soon. Santiago Casilla has been the most impressive of the A’s relievers so far in his two appearances this season. Over his two scoreless innings, he has given up one walk and has struck out a batter. He picked up the save in his first game.

The A’s handed the ball to Ryan Dull for a save opportunity the next night, but he was unable to convert on his save chance, which may take his name out of the running for closing situations for the time being.

Ryan Madson is the key catalyst to whether or not Casilla is handed the reins to the A’s bullpen. Madson has been terrific this year too, pitching 1.1 innings of scoreless ball.

Fantasy Baseball Closers – Washington Nationals:

Feb 28, 2017; West Palm Beach, FL, USA; Washington Nationals relief pitcher Koda Glover (30) delivers a pitch against the Houston Astros at The Ballpark of the Palm Beaches. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports /

In likely the least serious of the three bullpens we are focusing on, Blake Treinen may have opened the door for Koda Glover to get some extra late-inning opportunities moving forward.

Treinen converted three saves, through Friday’s games, but also blew one as well en route to a 8.10 ERA and a 1.80 WHIP in his first 3.1 innings of the year. Meanwhile, Glover has only been called on one time this season as he threw a scoreless inning, while giving up a lone single, to the Marlins.

If you own Treinen, there isn’t much to worry about, but the 8.10 ERA is definitely eye-opening and something to keep track of to see if he’s able to whittle that number down. If he blows another save this week, picking up Glover as an insurance policy may be a wise move.

Fantasy Baseball Closers – Top Closers of Week One:

Apr 6, 2017; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Colorado Rockies pitcher Greg Holland (56) celebrates with catcher Dustin Garneau (13) after getting a save against the Milwaukee Brewers at Miller Park. The Rockies beat the Brewers 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports /

The top closers of Week One include Greg Holland, Alex Colome, Wade Davis, Brandon Kintzler, Zach Britton and Raisel Iglesias.

Holland was a perfect 3-for-3 in save opportunities, as he struck out four batters and only allowed one walk in his three appearances. Colome was the only other closer who went 3-for-3 on save chances this week. Davis, Kintzler, Britton and Iglesias each picked up two saves through Friday’s games.

While Davis was the lone pitcher to only make two appearances, while the other pitchers threw in three games, all six of these studs did not allow any earned runs in their outings.

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