Atlanta Braves
Arodys Vizcaino has been successful in nine of 11 save chances with a 2.38 ERA and 23 Ks over 22.2 innings. He tossed three perfect innings with three Ks and two saves over the last three games. A.J. Minter has a minimal chance at earning saves in 2018 based on his last ten games (six runs and 20 baserunners over eight innings with ten Ks). He may need a drop back to AAA to regains his command and confidence. Dan Winkler improved shutout run to 14.1 innings with 21 Ks and seven holds.
Cleveland Indians
Cody Allen pitched better over his last eight games (2.35 ERA and eight Ks over 7.2 innings) while picking up three saves. Allen has one blown save in nine opportunities. Andrew Miller landed back on the DL with a right knee issue. Over his last 4.1 innings, Miller has a 14.54 ERA and 3.00 WHIP. Cleveland doesn’t have another arm of value in their bullpen, which is going to be a huge problem to their World Series hopes.
Houston Astros
Ken Giles has two poor outings in May leading to seven runs and seven baserunners over one-third of an inning. Despite his struggles, Giles still hasn’t blown a save with a 9.00 ERA and 1.86 WHIP over his last seven innings. Chris Devenski had the last save chance in Houston, which led to a losing outing (two runs, four baserunners, and one home run over one inning). Over his last 10.2 innings, Devenski has a 3.38 ERA and 16 Ks. Brad Peacock struggled in each of his last three games (three runs, six baserunners, and two home runs over two innings).
Tampa Bay Rays
The closing job in Tampa will remain in flux until someone seizes the opportunity. Jonny Venters picked up a one-out save on May 28th, but it was more of a matchup play. Venters is a great story, and he’s allowed only one run over his first nine innings back in the majors with six Ks. Sergio Romo has save-experience, but he struggled in three of his last four games (six runs and eight baserunners in 2.2 innings with two Ks). Romo did convert a save on May 29th despite allowing two runs over one inning. Most Fantasy owners played their closing bet in Tampa on Jose Alvarado after starting the year with a 2.78 ERA and 24 Ks over 22.2 innings. Alvarado has a big fastball, but he needs to throw more strikes.
Toronto Blue Jays
As expected, Tyler Clippard proved to be a fraud when asked to pitch in more important innings for the Blue Jays. Over his last five games, Clippard allowed seven runs and 11 baserunners over four innings with a save and two blown saves. Ryan Tepera picked up a pair of saves over the last week, but he allowed a run in two of his last four games. Tepera should be the top short-term option for saves for Toronto. Seung Hwan Oh still has the best resume for saves (2.13 ERA and 28 Ks over 25.1 innings), but the Blue Jays haven’t given him a chance for saves since the Roberto Osuna incident.
