Fantasy Baseball: Week 11 Closer Report

Senior Fantasy Baseball Expert Shawn Childs takes a very close look at each team’s bullpen to help you find the next gunslinging closer to provide saves. Get ready to DOMINATE your league!

Arizona Diamondbacks

Over his last 13 games covering 12.1 innings, Brad Boxberger has a 1.46 ERA with 17 Ks and eight saves. Boxberger is 14-for-15 in save conversions with 2.11 ERA and 29 Ks over 21.1 innings. Archie Bradley hasn’t allowed a run over his last 3.2 innings with four Ks. Yoshihisa Hirano extended his shutout streak to 10.2 innings with 11 Ks.


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Atlanta Braves

Arodys Vizcaino has two blown saves in 12 chances with a 2.19 ERA and 28 Ks over 24.2 innings. Over his last five innings. Vizcaino didn’t allow a run with eight Ks, three saves, and one win. His command (one walk) has been improved over his last nine innings. Dan Winkler improved his scoreless run to 16.1 innings with 24 Ks. A.J. Minter pitched one shutout inning off the last week.

Baltimore Orioles

Over the last month, Brad Brach tossed 11 shutout innings with 12 Ks and six saves to lower his ERA to 3.27. Brach has one failed save in ten tries. After two appearances in the minors, Zach Britton pitched 3.1 shutout innings with four Ks. The Orioles expect him back in the majors in about ten days. Mychal Givens struggled in two of his last five games (five runs and 14 baserunners over 4.2 innings with seven Ks).

Brad Brach
USA TODAY Sports

Boston Red Sox

Craig Kimbrel has a save in ten of his last 11 games with a 1.69 ERA and 0.75 WHIP. Over the last week, Kimbrel tossed 2.2 shutout innings with four Ks and three saves. Craig is 19-for-21 in save conversions with his only negative being five home runs allowed over 26 innings. Joe Kelly struggled in his last two games (four runs, six baserunners, and two home runs over 1.1 innings) ending his scoreless run at 8.2 innings. Matt Barnes extended his shutout streak to 11 innings with 14 Ks.

Chicago Cubs

Brandon Morrow has one blown save in 15 chances with a 0.89 ERA and 21 Ks over 20.1 innings. Morrow hasn’t allowed a run over his last 9.1 innings with 11 Ks and seven saves. Steve Cishek has a 0.66 ERA over his last 13.2 innings with 18 Ks. Pedro Strop struggled over his last five games (three runs and ten baserunners over 4.1 innings with three Ks).

Chicago White Sox

For the second time in ten games, Nate Jones delivered a disaster outing on June 5th (four runs and four baserunners over two-thirds of an inning) leading to his blown save. Over his last 8.2 innings, Jones has an 8.31 ERA and 1.85 WHIP. Bruce Rondon has a 2.13 ERA over his last 12.2 innings with three Ks. Joakim Soria picked up the last save for the White Sox. Soria hasn’t allowed a run over his last 7.1 innings with eight Ks to put him back in the mix for saves. Jace Fry lost his way over his last four innings (four runs and nine baserunners with four Ks).

Cincinnati Reds

Since returning from the DL, Raisel Iglesias allow one run and five baserunners over 2.1 innings with one save and two Ks. Iglesias has two failed saves over 11 tries. Jared Hughes extended his scoreless run to 15.1 innings with ten Ks and three saves. Over nine innings since returning from the DL, Michael Lorenzen allow two runs and five hits with six Ks. Amir Garrett didn’t allow a run over his last four innings with four Ks.

Cleveland Indians

Cody Allen still only has one blown save in 11 chances, but he has 6.75 ERA over his last 10.2 innings with 11 Ks. He struggled in his last two games (three runs, three baserunners, and two home runs over one inning). Tyler Olsen has a 3.86 ERA over his last 4.2 innings with five Ks. Oliver Perez could be the second-best arm in the Indians’ bullpen after allowing no runs over his first 2.1 innings back in the majors with three Ks.

Colorado Rockies

Wade Davis is 19-for-21 in save chances, but he’s started to fade over his last 16 games (4.20 ERA and 1.40 WHIP over 15 innings) due to fade in his command (nine walks) and a pair of home runs allowed. Jake McGee hasn’t been sharp over his last 9.2 innings (3.72 ERA and 1.45 WHIP). It’s time for the Rockies to take Bryan Shaw behind the woodshed after allowing 13 runs and 19 baserunners over his last seven innings.

Detroit Tigers

Since May 1st, Shane Greene has 2.08 ERA and 1.10 WHIP with 21 Ks and 11 saves over 17.1 innings. Greene has three blown saves in 18 tries. Joe Jimenez has a 0.73 ERA over his last 12.1 innings with one walk, 17 Ks, and one save. Louis Coleman pitched great over his last 6.1 innings (no runs, one hit, and 12 Ks).

Houston Astros

Over his last 11 innings with a closing job, Ken Giles has a 7.36 ERA and 1.64 WHIP while converting all nine of his saves. Giles allowed nine runs and ten baserunners over 1.1 innings in non-save situations during his recent failure. His ERA (5.21) is out of line, but his success in the 9th (10-for-10) should continue to get him save chances. Chris Devenski has a 4.76 ERA and 1.41 WHIP over his last 5.2 innings with nine Ks. Brad Peacock tossed 2.1 shutout innings over the last week with five Ks.

Kansas City Royals

Kelvin Herrera has one blown save in 14 opportunities with a 0.79 ERA and 0.71 WHIP over 22.2 innings. Herrera hasn’t allowed a run over his last seven innings with five Ks. Tim Hill struggled in his last two games (four runs and six baserunners over 1.1 innings with one K). Kevin McCarthy has a 2.53 ERA over his last 10.2 innings with ten Ks.

Los Angeles Angels

Over the last two weeks, Blake Parker has a 2.70 ERA over 6.2 innings with seven Ks, three saves, and one blown save. Parker remains the top option for saves after pitching at a high level over his last 15.1 innings (1.17 ERA and 1.11 WHIP). Justin Anderson extended his shutout streak to 9.1 innings with 11 Ks and two saves, but he issued nine walks. Jim Johnson has a 2.16 ERA over his last 8.1 innings with nine Ks.

Los Angeles Dodgers

Kenley Jansen saw his 13-inning scoreless run end on June 1st when he allowed a run and four baserunners to the Rockies in a converted save. Jansen has two blown saves in 16 chances with a 2.67 ERA and 1.04 WHIP over 27 innings. Josh Fields has 1.42 ERA over his last 12.2 innings with seven Ks. Pedro Baez allowed one run over his last eight innings with eight Ks.


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Miami Marlins

Kyle Barraclough finally took over as the closer for the Marlins after Brad Ziegler pitched his way out of the role. Barraclough hasn’t allowed a run over his last 10.2 innings with one hit, four Ks, and one save. His ERA sits at 1.37 while striking out 27 batters over 26.1 innings. Ziegler allowed nine runs and 15 baserunners over his last 5.2 innings with two Ks. Drew Steckenrider hasn’t allowed a run over his last six innings with one hit and four Ks.

Milwaukee Brewers

Over the last two weeks, Corey Knebel has a 3.86 ERA and 1.71 WHIP over 4.2 innings with six Ks and four saves. His ERA (4.76) on the year still needs work along with his command (five walks over his last 3.2 innings). Josh Hader tossed three shutout innings over the last week with seven Ks to extended his shutout streak to 14.1 innings with 26 Ks. His last save came on May 11th, which makes him a tougher start without some wins or saves. Jeremy Jeffress saw his 22.2 inning shutout streak end on May 30th when he allowed a home run to the Cardinals on May 30th.

Minnesota Twins

Fernando Rodney has a win or save in 11 straight games while allowing one run over 11.1 innings with ten Ks. His ERA (2.57) and WHIP (1.19) are now in favorable areas. Rodney is 13-for-16 in save conversions. Addison Reed pitched poorly over his last three games (three runs, eight baserunners, and two HRs over three innings). Trevor Hildenberger improved his scoreless run to 8.2 innings with no walks and seven Ks.

New York Mets

Jeurys Familia didn’t have a save chance over the last week. Over his last six innings, Familia has a 4.50 ERA and 2.17 WHIP with six Ks. His ERA (2.25) on the year still offers an edge while converting 14 of his 18 save chances. Robert Gsellman tossed two shutout innings over the last two innings with three Ks. The Mets appear to be stretching out Seth Lugo over the last week. He tossed seven shutout innings with no walks and five Ks.

New York Yankees

Aroldis Chapman is 14-for-15 in save opportunities with a 1.46 ERA and 45 Ks over 24.2 innings. Chapman allowed one run over his last 9.2 innings with 15 Ks. Over his last nine innings, Dellin Betances allow one run and one hit with 13 Ks. David Robertson has 1.59 ERA over his last 5.2 innings with seven Ks.

Oakland A’s

Blake Treinen is 13-for-15 in save conversions with a 0.95 ERA and 35 Ks over 28.1 innings. Over his last eight innings, Treinen didn’t allow a run with one hit and 13 Ks. Emilio Pagan extended his shutout run to 8.1 innings with 11 Ks. Chris Hatcher threw the ball well over his last eight innings (one run and nine Ks).

Philadelphia Phillies

The closing job may have flipped toward Seranthony Dominguez over the last week in Philly. He picked up his second save on June 5th when Dominguez improved his scoreless streak to 14.2 innings with 16 Ks and no walks. Hector Neris allowed a run in each of his last four games covering 3.1 innings with seven Ks. Neris has three failed saves in 12 tries. Hector now has a 5.24 ERA and 1.61 WHIP. Edubray Ramos hasn’t allowed a run over his last 6.1 innings with six Ks to lower his ERA to 0.84 on the year.

Pittsburgh Pirates

Felipe Vazquez looks destined to land on the DL after taking on water over his last seven games (seven runs and six baserunners over 4.2 innings) leading to four blown saves in five chances. Vazquez is 10-for-14 save conversion with a fading ERA (4.63) and WHIP (1.50). Kyle Crick allowed one run over his last 11.1 innings with five walks and seven Ks. Edgar Santana has a 1.98 ERA and ten Ks over his last 13.2 innings. Santana appears to be the top option for saves if Vazquez lands on the DL.

San Diego Padres

Brad Hand converted 17 of his 19 save chances in 2018 with a 2.15 ERA and 45 Ks over 29.1 innings. Since May 1st, Hand has 11 successful saves with two runs allowed over 15.2 innings with 24 Ks. Kirby Yates picked up his first save of the year last week. Over his last six games, Yates has 3.00 ERA with six Ks over six innings. Craig Stammen allowed one run over his last 13.2 innings with 15 Ks.

San Francisco Giants

Over his last 11.1 innings, Hunter Strickland has a 1.59 ERA with eight Ks and four saves. Strickland is 12-for-14 in save chances. Mark Melancon looked closer-worthy over his first two innings back in the majors (no runs or hits with five Ks). Sam Dyson extended his shutout streak to six innings with no walks and seven Ks.

Seattle Mariners

The Mariners worked Edwin Diaz hard over the last week (4.1 innings) leading to five runs and eight baserunners with three saves, one blown save, and one loss. Diaz has been successful in 21 of his 24 saves opportunities with 52 Ks over 31.2 innings. Alex Colome didn’t allow a run over his last 4.1 innings with four Ks. Juan Nicasio regained his elite form over his last nine innings (no runs, three hits, no walks, and 16 K).

St. Louis Cardinals

Bud Norris struggled in three of his last five games (four runs and five hits over four innings with six Ks) leading to two saves in three chances. Norris has one failed save in 12 tries. Jordan Hicks has 5.23 ERA over his last 10.1 innings with ten Ks. Sam Tuivailala struggled in two of his last three games (three runs and seven baserunners over 4.1 innings).

Tampa Bay Rays

Jose Alvarado may not be ready to earn saves in the 9th inning for the Rays. Over his last 8.2 innings, Alvarado allowed four runs and 14 baserunners with 12 Ks and one blown save. His failure is due to regression in his command. Chaz Roe hasn’t allowed a run over his last five innings with six Ks. Jonny Venters extended his scoreless run to six innings with one walk and five Ks.

Texas Rangers

Keone Kela remains perfect in his 14 save opportunities. He has 1.59 ERA over his last 11.1 innings with 14 Ks and eight saves. Jake Diekman has a 2.08 ERA over his last 13 innings with 16 Ks. Jose Leclerc improved his shutout run to seven innings with one hit, five walks, and eight Ks.

Toronto Blue Jays

Ryan Tepera has a 3.00 ERA over his last nine innings with two saves and nine Ks. Seung Hwan Oh struggled in his last two games (six runs and seven baserunners over his last 1.2 innings) to remove himself from the save conversation. Tyler Clippard has been a disaster over his last six innings (eight runs and 13 baserunners with six Ks).

Washington Nationals

Sean Doolittle is 15-for-16 in save conversions with a 1.65 ERA and 39 Ks over 27.1 innings. Doolittle didn’t allow a run over his last 7.2 innings with no walks and nine Ks. Ryan Madsen tossed 1.1 shutout innings with one K over the last week after returning from the DL. Brandon Kintzler extended his scoreless streak to 6.1 innings with three walks and one K.




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About Shawn Childs 970 Articles
Shawn Childs has been a high stakes Fantasy baseball and football player since 2004 where he had success in his first season (three titles and $25,000 in winnings). In early years of the high stakes market in Fantasy baseball, he was ahead of the curve in player evaluation, draft value, and free agent bidding setting up four top-five finishes in the National Fantasy Baseball Championship. He has four AL-only Auction titles, one NL-only title, and five Main Event titles plus an overall title in 2012 at RTFBC (netted $10,000). This success led to an induction into the NFBC Baseball Hall of Fame. His success in the high stakes market led to a career in providing Fantasy Baseball and Fantasy Football content. On the football side, he’s competed and won in all different formats – auctions, draft championship, main events, and high-dollar leagues. He won 2nd place overall in the 2014 Most Accurate Salary Cap Expert contest at FantasyPros. As a dual-sport player, it was natural to transition to the daily games where he is a “swing for the fences type of guy.” Childs has appeared in one FanDuel NFL Live Final and one DraftKings NFL Live Final, a season-ending tournament which led to a couple of chances to win over $1,000,000.