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Fantasy Baseball 2018: 3 Backup closers worth adding

By Bill Pivetz

WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 30: Brandon Kintzler #21 of the Washington Nationals celebrates after a 3-2 victory against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Nationals Park on April 30, 2018 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 30: Brandon Kintzler #21 of the Washington Nationals celebrates after a 3-2 victory against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Nationals Park on April 30, 2018 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images) /
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There are a few teams going with a committee approach in the ninth inning, making it harder to find true closers.

The save is such a fickle stat, especially for fantasy owners. When drafting, you select two or three relief pitchers, thinking they will be their respective team’s closer. But, when managers use the bullpen based on matchups those closers lose their value. However, it does give rise to the backup closers who seem to get a save or two every week.

There are already multiple teams going with the committee approach in the ninth inning. Those teams are Baltimore Orioles, Chicago White Sox, Los Angeles Angels, Philadelphia Phillies, and Toronto Blue Jays. ESPN also listed the Atlanta Braves and Houston Astros but I think those situations are pretty clear-cut.

The Orioles are dealing with injuries to Zach Britton and Darren O’Day. The Angels also have a few injuries in their bullpen. The Phillies manager Gabe Kapler hinted he’ll use a bullpen without roles, giving fantasy owners their worst nightmare, and Toronto is without Roberto Osuna as he’s on administrative leave.

Those are all situations I want to avoid. Committees do not help when you are looking for saves. Looking for a consistent closer is difficult at this point of the season. Here are three relief pitchers worth adding that can earn you an extra save or two each matchup.

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Brandon Kintzler (WAS)

The former Minnesota Twins closer was traded to Washington at the deadline last season. Brandon Kintzler hasn’t pitched that well this season, 4.50 ERA, 1.45 WHIP and 20 strikeouts. He recently recorded his first save with Nationals closer Sean Doolittle unavailable.

Kintzler’s been a middle relief arm for most of the season. But, with Ryan Madson recently placed on the DL, Kintzler will be featured a bit more out of the bullpen as the set-up man behind Doolittle Madson is out with a sore pectoral muscle.

Kintzler has been more effective this month with four holds and a win. He’s owned in just 3.5 percent of ESPN leagues.

Carl Edwards (CHC)

Carl Edwards was one of the best closers in April. His ERA was down to 0.53 as late as May 8. But, he allowed seven runs in a three-game stretch. As a result, his ERA ballooned to 3.60 with a 1.25 WHIP. Though, Edwards has 33 strikeouts in just 20.0 innings.

The Cubs are rolling with Brandon Morrow as their closer, and he’s doing a great job. Edwards already has eight holds, making him one of the more effective backup closers in the game.

Though Edwards doesn’t have a single save, if anything were to happen to Morrow, he would be the next in line for a save opportunity. In the meantime, Edwards can still provide you with a lot of strikeouts and (mostly) clean outings. He’s owned in just 15.4 percent of ESPN leagues.

Richard Rodriguez (PIT)

While Felipe

Rivero

Vazquez is having a great season as the Pittsburgh Pirates closer, there is another relief pitcher who is having an even better season.

Richard Rodriguez has the Pirates bullpen’s best ERA and strikeouts at 1.62 and 29, respectively. He also has the second-best WHIP at 1.080. His 15.7 K/9 is good for sixth-best among all qualified relievers, according to Fangraphs.

The Pirates are a surprise team this year, after trading away Andrew McCutchen and Gerrit Cole. Yet, the team is just 1.5 games back of first place in the National League Central.

Similar to Edwards, Rodriguez doesn’t have a save this season but can still provide for the other three pitching stats. He’s owned in just 1.1 percent of ESPN leagues. Michael Feliz is listed as the next in line, but I think Rodriguez’s performance should get him some opportunities if Vazquez gets hurt.

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There’s no guarantee that any of these relievers will get saves this season. But with the number of injuries this season, there’s a good bet that a closing job will open up at some point. You need to make sure you have that team’s backup just in case.

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