There are closer situations that remain unsettled and reliever outcomes worth tracking this weekend before waiver runs transpire. Here are the pertinent details fantasy players should be closely monitoring.
American League
Baltimore Orioles: Will Félix Bautista convert a save? It’s a limited sample, but he’s posted a 33.3 first-strike percentage and a 53.3 percent strike rate through three appearances. If he cannot work on consecutive days, how does the team structure the bullpen in a save chance without him?
Boston Red Sox: Can Liam Hendriks increase his velocity during his rehab outings?
Chicago White Sox: Who gets the team’s first save? Do we care?
Cleveland Guardians: Can Emmanuel Clase close the gap between his 2.90 SIERA and his 6.00 ERA? He’s had some bad luck while producing a 70.3 percent contact rate allowed (five percent below last year) with a .429 batting average on balls in play against (BAbip), .176 points over his career rate (.253).
Detroit Tigers: Does Tommy Kahnle receive the next save chance?
Houston Astros: Which reliever(s) will step up as reliable set-up options for Josh Hader?
Kansas City Royals: Carlos Estévez has converted four of five save opportunities, but where did the whiffs go?
UPDATE: Hunter Harvey was placed on the 15-day injured list:
Those in SOLDS leagues can add Daniel Lynch IV if he’s available.
Los Angeles Angels: After working with reduced velocity, Ben Joyce has been placed on the 15-day injured list:
Will Ryan Zeferjahn replace him as the right-handed high-leverage set-up option?
Minnesota Twins: Will Rocco Baldelli not overmanage leverage situations this weekend? He’s pressed all the wrong buttons so far.
New York Yankees: Can Devin Williams improve his outcomes with better command? His 56.4 percent strike rate must improve, or his 7.9 swinging strike percentage will not. It’s early, but still worth tracking.
Seattle Mariners: When will Matt Brash begin his rehab assignment? He may be the key ingredient for Andrés Muñoz being a dominant closer again.
Tampa Bay Rays: Will Mason Montgomery and Manuel Rodríguez overtake the high-leverage roles of Edwin Uceta and Garrett Cleavinger?
Texas Rangers: Does Luke Jackson remain hot? He’s converted his last five save chances with a 0.877 WHIP over 5.2 innings.
The Athletics: Rookie Justin Sterner has recorded 11 strikeouts against four walks (26.9 K-BB percentage) with a 19.4 swinging strike percentage and a 56.9 percent contact rate allowed through his first seven appearances. Does his leverage role grow if Tyler Ferguson and José Leclerc struggle?
Toronto Blue Jays: Jeff Hoffman has been terrific, but will he break down if heavy usage patterns persist?
National League
Arizona Diamondbacks: Will Torey Lovullo match A.J. Puk up with Brice Turang and Christian Yelich this weekend against Milwaukee or Justin Martinez against Jackson Chourio and William Contreras? It may be game and lineup pocket-dependent.
Atlanta Braves: After using Raisel Iglesias in three straight games, can the leverage ladder handle the next two games? Daysbel Hernández has pitched well, but will his command gains stick?
Chicago Cubs: How does Ryan Pressly fare in his rematch with the Dodgers? It’s challenging closing games with a negative 11.8 K-BB percentage and a 6.1 swinging strike percentage while allowing a contact rate over 85 percent.
Cincinnati Reds: Emilio Pagán allowed a walk-off home run in San Francisco, but will more regression occur? His 1.69 ERA accompanies a 5.96 SIERA and a 10.5 K-BB percentage with a contact rate just below 80 percent.
Colorado Rockies: Can Seth Halvorsen gain momentum this weekend away from Coors?
Los Angeles Dodgers: Does Tanner Scott face Kyle Tucker’s lineup pocket all weekend? Can Kirby Yates earn a save chance based on his improved recent outings?
Miami Marlins: Can fantasy managers trust Clayton McCullough for saves? Same question for Anthony Bender.
Milwaukee Brewers: Trevor Megill has not pitched since April 4, so it’s not a concern unless he displays signs of rust in his command. Does Nick Mears carve out a more prominent leverage role? He had two strong appearances at Coors.
New York Mets: What velocity will Edwin Díaz pitch with this weekend? Things have been trending the wrong way:
Philadelphia Phillies: José Alvarado has been awesome early on, but can he be more efficient? He’s thrown 30 or more pitches in two of his last three games:
Fantasy managers should also note his pitchers per plate appearance increase:
Pittsburgh Pirates: Who gets the next Pirates save chance? Can we trust Dennis Santana as the preferred save option? When will David Bednar be recalled? What will his role be?
San Diego Padres: Robert Suarez leads the majors with six saves. Will he keep using a diversified arsenal?
San Francisco Giants: Will the real Camilo Doval please stand up? He recorded three clean outings and secured two saves in his first three games. But he’s allowed at least a run in his last three with a 3.478 WHIP over 2.1 innings.
St. Louis Cardinals: Ryan Helsley has issued five walks (21.7 BB%) through his first five games, resulting in a 1.80 WHIP and a 62 percent strike rate.
Washington Nationals: Which relievers can we trust to get save chances to Kyle Finnegan in the ninth inning?
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