Closing report: Which firemen stepped up last week?

The closer market can be very volatile. Below is a team by team look at each bullpen and who should get the ball with the game on the line. This weekly closer report should aid you in the chase for saves.

As fantasy baseball players know the save can be the most difficult and frustrating stat to accumulate. This weekly article will help track trends and performances across every bullpen in the MLB. Picking up the next great closer can take you from a terrible fantasy season to a chance at taking home the title in September.

It’s week one so let’s not try to overreact too much as the sample sizes are pretty small. However, there is still some noteworthy performances and news that we should be aware of. One thing I can’t stress enough is the opportunity. No matter how talented a player may be he still needs the opportunity to record or a save or he is essentially worthless for fantasy purposes. Once next week the numbers will normalize some and we can begin to analyze metrics like velocity and swing strike rate.

Arizona Diamondbacks

• Fernando Rodney 3 IP, 2 saves, 1 win, 2K’s, 1.67 WHIP, 3.00 ERA

New year, new team, same Rodney. It’s only a matter of team until he implodes. He came in the first game with the score tied and gave up a run. If it wasn’t for the Diamondbacks great comeback he’d have a loss instead of a win. However, his closer job is very safe in Arizona.

Atlanta Braves

• Jim Johnson 3 IP, 1 win, 1 blown save, 3 K’s, 1.33 WHIP, 3.00 ERA
• Arodys Vizcaino 3 IP, 1.33 WHIP, 0.00 ERA

Jim Johnson blew a save on Sunday, but there is no need to panic. I expect Johnson to continue the success he displayed at the end of the 2016 season.

Baltimore Orioles

• Zach Britton 5.0 IP, 3 saves, 4 K’s, 1.60 WHIP, 0.00 ERA

Britton is a superstar and will be locked into this role all year.

Boston Red Sox

• Craig Kimbrel 3.0 IP, 2 saves, 5 K’s, 1.33 WHIP, 3.00 ERA

Craig Kimbrel was once the most dominant closer in baseball, but now I’d say he is just above average. Kimbrel is the clear go-to guy in the ninth and he successfully converted both his opportunities this week.

Chicago Cubs

• Wade Davis 2.1 IP, 2 saves, 1 K, 0.86 WHIP, 0.00 ERA

The Cubs let Aroldis Chapman go and signed Davis this off-season. Wade Davis did not disappoint, showing he is still a high-quality closer who should get plenty of opportunities this year.

Chicago White Sox

The White Sox did not have a save opportunity this week, but it’s clear that David Robertson is the man. Robertson threw one perfect inning with two strikeouts in his only appearance.

Cincinnati Reds

• Raisel Iglesias 4.0 IP, 2 saves, 6 K’s, 0.75 WHIP, 0,.00 ERA
• Drew Storen 3.0 IP, 1 save, 2 K’s, 2.33 WHIP, 3.00 ERA

Questions arose when Drew Storen came in for a save chance, but that is nothing to worry about. Reds’ Manager Bryan Price simply didn’t want to use Iglesias on back to back days. The skipper showed his confidence in Iglesias by deploying the starter turned closer for a 2 inning save on Friday.

Cleveland Indians

• Cody Allen 2.2 IP, 2 saves, 6 K’s, 1.88 WHIP, 3.38 ERA

Bryan Shaw stole a save this week, but that means absolutely nothing. Andrew Miller continued his dominance yet it looks like he will never step into the closer role. The high strikeout Cody Allen should get a multitude of save chances this season.

Colorado Rockies

• Greg Holland 4.0 IP, 4 saves, 6 K’s, 0.25 WHIP, 0.OO ERA

Greg Holland won the closer job in Colorado and it looks like he is never going to give it back. The former Kansas City Royals pitcher has looked flawless only issuing one walk in 4 innings of work.

Detroit Tigers

• Francisco Rodriguez 2.1 IP, 1 save, 1 BS, 1 win, 1.29 WHIP, 3.86 ERA
• Justin Wilson 2.2 IP, 1 save, 3 K’s, 0.00 WHIP, 0.00 ERA

K-Rod isn’t what he used to be and it is showing.  Justin Wilson is the superior talent here, but the issue is will he get a chance at the job? Keep your eye Wilson and if you have a deep bench or roster spot to hold Wilson I would add him off waivers.

Houston Astros

• Ken Giles 3 IP, 2 saves, 1 loss, 8 K’s, 1.67 WHIP, 6.00 ERA

Ken Giles has nasty stuff, but control can be an issue at times. After two successful save opportunities, Giles gave up two runs in a tied game and earned a loss. Giles spot in the closer role should be secure throughout the year.

Kansas City Royals

• Kelvin Herrera 2.0 IP, 1 BS, 1 K, 4.50 ERA, 0.50 WHIP

Herrera blew a save Sunday courtesy of a Jake Marisnick home run. Kelvin should be a quality closer this year so I wouldn’t take much stock into Sunday’s results.

Los Angeles Angels

• Cam Bedrosian 2.2 IP, 2 saves, 5 K’s, 0.38 WHIP, 0.00 ERA
• Andrew Bailey 3.0 IP, 2 wins, 2 K’s, 0.00 WHIP, 0.00 ERA

This is a “closer by committee” situation, however, Bedrosian is the go-to guy in the pen. Mike Scioscia will use Bedrosian in the highest leverage spots which may mean an occasional 8th inning appearance. Bedrosian worked a five-out save on Saturday because Scioscia brought him in to face Robinson Cano and Nelson Cruz.

Los Angeles Dodgers

• Kenley Jansen 2.0 IP, 1 save, 2 K’s, 9.00 ERA, 1.50 WHIP

Kenley is one for one in save opportunities but gave up two runs in garbage time against the Rockies. Jansen should get plenty of save opportunities and continue to be a top closer.

Miami Marlins

• AJ Ramos 2.0 IP, 1 save, 2 K’s, 1.50 WHIP, 0.00 ERA

The Marlins have a strong bullpen, but Ramos should be they guy all year barring any injury or absolutely terrible performance.

Milwaukee Brewers

• Neftali Feliz 1.2 IP, 1 save, 3 K’s, 0.60 WHIP, 5.40 ERA

Neftali should be the guy in Milwaukee all year, a measly home run early on shouldn’t worry fantasy owners. Hopefully, the Brewers can be competitive enough to get Feliz enough chances.

Minnesota Twins

• Brandon Kintzler 4.1 IP, 3 saves, 4 K’s, 0.92 WHIP, 0.00 ERA

The Twins have started off the season hot and Kintzler has 4.1 dominant innings of work and three saves to show for it. Rumors suggested he could lose the closer gig to Perkins when he comes back, but that isn’t happening anytime soon. f Kintzler keeps this production up he will hold down the role all season. He is a must add if he is available in your league.

New York Mets

• Addison Reed 3.0 IP, 1 save, 4 K’s, 0.00 WHIP,  0.00 ERA

With Jeurys Familia serving a 15-game suspension, Addison Reed got the first call for a save Sunday night. Familia should take back the closer role after his suspension so Reed is pos likely not a long-term option.

New York Yankees

• Aroldis Chapman 2.0 IP, 4 K’s, 0.00 WHIP, 0.00 ERA

No save chances for Chapman, but he pitched a flawless two innings.

Oakland Athletics

• Santiago Casilla 3.0 IP, 1 save, 2 K’s, 0.33 WHIP, 0.00 ERA
• Ryan Madison 2.1 IP, 3 K’s, 1.29 WHIP, 0.00 ERA

Oakland has a true committee going on which is frustrating for fantasy owners. If I had to choose one guy to stick with I would go with Casilla. If he’s available in your league, feel free to snag him and hope he can get the full-time role.

Philadelphia Phillies

• Jeanmar Gomez 3.0 IP, 1 save, 1 BS,  4 K’s, 2.00 WHIP, 15.00 ERA
• Hector Neris 3.1 IP, 4 K’s, 0.60 WHIP, 0.00 ERA
• Joaquin Benoit 3.0 IP, 4 K’s, 0.67 WHIP, 0.00 ERA

Jeanmar Gomez is not good and he will lose the closer spot. I believe Neris is the best arm in the bullpen and should get the next chance. Neris is a definite add if he is available. If he isn’t you can take a flyer on Benoit depending how desperate you are.

Pittsburgh Pirates

• Tony Watson 3.0 IP, 2 saves, 2 K’s, 1.33 ERA, 0.00 ERA

Watson may not miss a lot of bats, but he gets the job done. The Pittsburgh Pirates are extremely confident in his abilities so he should hold onto the role.

San Diego Padres

• Brandon Maurer 2.0 IP, 1 save, 2 K’s, 0.00 WHIP, 0.00 ERA
• Ryan Buchter 2.2 IP, 1 save, 3 K’s, 1.50 WHIP, 6.75 ERA

The Padres just aren’t that good so there shouldn’t be a ton of save chances. Maurer seems to be the leader in the bullpen, but he is by no means a lock to keep the job. Tread with caution.

San Francisco Giants

• Mark Melancon 1.2 IP, 1 save, 1 BS, 1 loss, 1 K, 3.60 WHIP, 10.80 ERA

A blown save and a loss is not a good way to start with your new team. Melancon converted his second save chance but gave up a hit and a walk. It’s not a time to panic but this low strikeout closer continues to panic he could lose his job to Hunter Strickland. Keep your eye on Strickland.

Seattle Mariners

• Edwin Diaz 3.2 IP, 1 save, 1 BS, 1 loss, 5 K’s, 1.91 WHIP, 7.36 ERA

Diaz looked dominant against the Astros but got tagged for three runs in the Angels epic comeback Sunday. Edwin Diaz is still an elite closer with high strikeout abilities, just look at the video below.

St. Louis Cardinals 

• Sweung-Hwan Oh: 2.2 IP, 1 BS, 1 win, 2 K’s, 1.88 WHIP, 13.50 ERA

The Cardinals manager opted for the 6 out save on opening night and all was going well until a fielding gaffe by the first basemen. One bad pitch and the game was tied on a three-run homer. Oh pitched one more inning in a blowout Sunday and gave up a home run. However, I’m not worried about Oh. If there is an opportunity for you to buy low on him I would pull the trigger.

Tampa Bay Rays

• Alex Colome: 4.1 IP, 3 saves, 3 K’s, 0.46 WHIP, 000 ERA

Continuing off his late 2016 success Colome has looked amazing in his first four appearances. Colome has the personality to be a top-tier closer.

Texas Rangers

• Sam Dyson 2.0 IP, 2 losses, 1 BS, 1 K, 5.00 WHIP, 36.00 ERA
• Matt Bush 3.2 IP, 5 K, 1.09 WHIP, 4.91 ERA

Yikes! Sam Dyson has not looked good so far and could be the first closer to lose his job. According to Jeff Wilson of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Bannister isn’t quite ready to give up on Dyson yet. Being proactive and picking up Matt Bush would be the smart thing to do.

Toronto Blue Jays

• Jason Grilli 2.2 IP, 1 save, 1 loss, 4 K’s, 1.13 WHIP, 3.38 ERA

Roberto Osuna is supposed to come back this week and Grilli will most likely return to the eighth inning. Grilli looked strong in his short time as closer, only one bad pitch resulting in a Mark Trumbo home run was his flaw.

Washington Nationals

• Blake Treinen: 3.1 IP, 3 saves, 1 BS, 6 K’s, 1.80 WHIP, 8.10 ERA

A clean inning with two K’s was a wonderful way to start of his closer gig. A two-run home run in his last save makes his ERA look ugly, but I have strong faith in the Nats new closer. Take a look below at his nasty stuff.

Next: Best Starting Pitchers in MLB History

We will have the story on every closing situation throughout the year, coming to you every Monday. Whether you’re looking for the real-life or fantasy angle, we have you covered.