What are the odds that you still own the relief pitchers you rostered in yourfantasy baseballdraft? KFFL.com'sFantasy Baseball Closer Hot Seatseries gives you no-nonsense ratings of performances, injuries and managerial decisions inMLBbullpens. Get your arm loose: Let's findfantasy baseballplayers in your rotisserie or head-to-head baseball league who'll get saves.
The Florida Marlins are no longer having an impact on playoff races, meaning Jack McKeon might try out rookie Steve Cishek if any save situations arise over the next few days. One report speculates converted catcher Chris Hatcher could also get a try, but if you're trying to ride someone other than veteran Edward Mujica, Cishek is the way to go.
Kyle Farnsworth returned to action Saturday in the ninth inning, but it was with a four-run lead. The Tampa Bay Rays went with Joel Peralta in the eighth inning of that contest but used him for a successful save chance Sunday. Joe Maddon could continue riding Peralta's recent success as the Rays fight for a playoff spot. Still, maybe Peralta's recent closure came about because Farnsie wasn't ready to pitch back-to-back days yet.
Saves-desperate owners should put Farnsie back in their lineups just for the possibility that Maddon turns to the guy who has done the job for most of the season.
The New York Mets employed Bobby Parnell in the eighth and seventh innings, respectively, in his two appearances following his save last Thursday. Manny Acosta, meanwhile, closed out both doubleheader victories Friday. Safe to say Acosta is the lead Metropolitan, with Parnell being the consolation prize.
Per The Denver Post, Huston Street is expected to be shopped by the Colorado Rockies during the offseason, given Rafael Betancourt's success and Street's $7.5 million price tag for 2012. It's good news for Betancourt's dynasty owners and another offseason monitoring task for Street keepers.
More thinking ahead: The Baltimore Orioles' Pedro Strop boasts a 0.84 ERA and 11 K's in 10 1/3 innings representing the land of crab cakes. Jim Johnson is the closer, with deposed Kevin Gregg as the top alternative. But Strop, who's essentially the primary setup option, added improved control to his solid K/9 and has more attractive qualities for a rebuilding team than Gregg does. Watch out for Strop heading into 2012, especially if B-more executes its long-standing plan to move Johnson to the rotation.
Carlos Marmol, who blew a save in typical fashion Saturday, and Sean Marshall were unavailable Sunday, so Jeff Samardzija was lined up for a closing chance if needed. He wasn't. Still, he has brought the most out of his skills since he moved to the 'pen and could be a helpful source of holds as a relief ace next season.
As for Marmol in 2012, he could come at a slight discount because of his various blowups on the year. Sure, he's a WHIP killer, but the K's will still make him a decent bet at the right price.
Since the Boston University alum joined KFFL in 2006, his work has been featured by USA Today/Sports Weekly and Yahoo! Sports, among numerous publications.
Tim competes in Tout Wars and LABR and appears every Wednesday on 1570 AM WNST in Baltimore, as well as frequently on Sirius XM Fantasy Sports Radio.
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