Closing Time

In fantasy baseball a lot of wins can come from getting help from the bullpen. It is a simple minded player that believes the relief pitcher only provides help in one category, saves. A relief pitcher brings much more to the table. Relief pitchers are ERA and WHIP condensers, more often than not they sport a low ERA and WHIP which in turn can lower your team total ERA and WHIP. A team's closer is very often a team's best relief pitcher. They are called upon to finish the game, and if they are any good at their job can close a game with minimal drama. Minimal drama meaning no base runners, no runs given up and most importantly high possibility of a strikeout. A great reliever can possibly strike out the side. Think of that, three potential strikeouts to add to your total from a pitcher that more often than not pitches one inning.

This year many analysts have suggested waiting for a closer or stockpiling the mediocre and using them based upon their match up or your team needs on a week to week basis. I believe it is crucial for your bullpen to have at least one top notch closer.  A dependable guy that you don’t have to worry about blowing up and losing his job. This is key to “relieve” the stress of fantasy and help your pocket book grow. The following are closing situations that will need to be monitored closely and could help out the fantasy owner that forgot or neglected the closer position.

Tigers are poised, as per usual, to have a good season with new additions to the mound and batter's box. It is likely they should rack up a lot of save opportunities but in my opinion currently have the wrong guy closing out games.

Current closer	ERA	WHIP	Strikeouts	IP	S/Attempts
Francisco Rodriguez	11.57	2.57	2	2.1	1/2
Handcuff	ERA	Whip	Strikeouts	IP	S/Attempts
Mark Lowe	3.00	0.67	3	3.0	0/0

The Texas Rangers made huge improvements last year. They pushed my Jays to the brink of elimination. If not for a few costly errors and epic bat flip may have found themselves in the ALCS. Coming into this season, the Rangers looked ready to return to the post-season and push for baseball in October but early on they have run into trouble late in games.

Current closer	ERA	WHIP	Strikeouts	IP	S/Attempts
Shawn Tolleson	22.50	3.50	2	2.0	2/3
Handcuff	ERA	Whip	Strikeouts	IP	S/Attempts
Sam Dyson	2.08	1.38	3	4.1	0/0
Cyanocitta recommends	ERA	WHIP	Strikeouts	IP	S/Attempts
Keone Kela	7.36	1.36	7	3.2	0/0

The backup to Tolleson has developed some controversy in the fantasy world but personally I am drawn to Keone Kela. Just look at Kela’s strikeouts and the power he possesses. If not for a bad inning his ERA would be lower as well. If Kela gets the job he has Chapman upside without the suspension history.

The Cleveland Indians have a world class rotation that rivals that of the New York Mets. One problem, they do not have a reliable closer. If the Indians believe that they can make a push and get into the post-season they are going to have to find a finisher. Cody Allen seems to convert his opportunities but they are never clean. It will only be a matter of time until his inability to close is converted to loses.

Current closer	ERA	WHIP	Strikeouts	IP	S/Attempts
Cody Allen	13.50	1.50	1	1.1	1/1
Handcuff	ERA	Whip	Strikeouts	IP	S/Attempts
Zach McAllister	0.00	0.50	1	2.0	0/0

Zach McAllister is a definite dark horse pick. The former starting prospect could find his career resurrected out of the bullpen, more specifically as the closer for a potential post-season bound Cleveland Indians. It sounds out there but if given the chance Zach McAllister has Zach Britton like stuff out of the pen. His hard cut fastball can match that of Brittons sinker and they both can lean on their breaking ball in pitcher counts.

The Oakland Athletics have held onto Sean Doolittle for the duration of his major league career in hopes that he would finally fulfill his baseball potential. Unfortunately, a wrath of injuries and nagging issues have seemed to keep Doolittle from doing anything special. It is time the Athletics let the lefty be what he is, a left handed specialist out of the pen and move on from the thought that Doolittle can close. No more platoon at closer and give Madson the ball.

Current closer	ERA	WHIP	Strikeouts	IP	S/Attempts
Sean Doolittle	5.79	1.71	4	4.2	1/2
Handcuff	ERA	Whip	Strikeouts	IP	S/Attempts
Ryan Madson	3.60	1.00	5	5.0	2/2

The top arms at the position are consistent and leave nothing to the imagination, they come in do their job and get the results a fantasy team requires. As predicted at the beginning of the season the top performers stay as top performers and bring consistency and help level bloated ERA’s and WHIP. As expected here are your fantasy standouts.

Current closer	ERA	WHIP	Strikeouts	IP	S/Attempts
Jonathan Papelbon	2.25	1.00	4	4.0	4/4
Roberto Osuna	0.00	0.50	6	4.0	3/3
Wade Davis	0.00	1.25	6	4.0	3/3
Houston Street	0.00	0.00	2	4.1	3/3
Mark Melancon	2.08	0.98	2	4.1	3/3
Zach Britton	2.25	1.25	5	4.0	3/3

The closer positions will be a wild ride with ups and downs all season among the lower ranked arms. Having said that, here is a breakout at the position that should retain his job.

Jeanmar Gomez of the Philadelphia Phillies was the third reliever to get a crack at the closing job and finally they have a reliever that looks like a major league player. Phillies had been sporting a double A bullpen since 2013 with the exception of a couple closer that they parted with, Jonathan Papelbon and more recently Ken Giles, and looked as if they were heading in the same direction. After David Hernandez flopped and Dalier Hinojosa choked, Jeanmar Gomez stepped up and has recently been red hot. Gomez should retain his position as the Phillies have nothing to lose.

Current closer	ERA	WHIP	Strikeouts	IP	S/Attempts
Jeanmar Gomez	0.00	0.50	2	4.0	3/3

Now it is early in the season and there is no need to freak out, but there are a couple of deserving players that are out there and able to be scooped up as they are 3 category savers and serve a purpose for points. If you are thin at the position it will benefit you to look at the studs as potential players to trade for. If you can piece together a trade to bring in the right guy you will not be a river rat on the waiver wire all season.

Curtis