If there was a NBA Jam version for relievers, it would go to the Royals bullpen. They are the hottest team since sliced pimento loaf, and as of this typing, are finding themselves tops in the AL Central. I have said it before and I will say it again– play the hot hand until it slaps you where it shouldn’t. They are led recently and not recently, as in all year, by Wade Davis. Davis, on the year, has been just stellar: 6-2 K rate over 13 and has allowed only 5 ER all year. That my friends is about as robust as the McRib sandwich being not not real rib meat. Over the last two weeks Davis has lead the world in Holds with 7. His subtle sidekick has been a nice mix of Jason Frasor and Kelvin Herrera, both garnering fantasy value in their own way. Frasor notching 2 wins in relief and Herrera grabbing 4 holds for himself… both guys also have the same ERA as Davis during the last 2 weeks. It’s zero, so stop with the guesses. Ride the lightning here as the Royale’s w/o cheese are scorching the universe like a bikini waxing store. Stay tuned for more middle relief haps and slaps.
- The Orioles bullpen keeps rolling along and the newest acquired member is keeping up with what he was doing in Boston. Andrew Miller has found a nice niche as the power LH in front Britton. Has 4 holds in his short time with the O’s, and 17 overall. His 14 + K rate on the year is going to be useful for teams both real and fake. Subtle hint there.
- The Mariners have a pair of useful lads over the last two weeks in Brandon Maurer and Yoervis Medina. Medina has been sneaky useful all year and Maurer, who just transplanted to the pen, garnered 3 saves a piece while posting none point none none ERA’s.
- Ryan Cook has made everyone wonder what would have happened if he wasn’t hurt to start the year and if Doolittle never had the chance to be who he is. Cook is unscored upon in his last 20 appearances. Only caveat is he doesn’t get to have and to hold in the stat category, picking up what I am putting down… good.
Player | Holds/BS | Appearances with Lead | In. Runners/IR Scored |
Brad Ziegler | 29/6 | 37 | 17/6 |
Will Smith | 28/5 | 43 | 28/6 |
Tony Watson | 27/5 | 39 | 9/2 |
Tyler Clippard | 25/3 | 31 | 3/0 |
Wade Davis | 25/2 | 31 | 7/3 |
J.P. Howell | 23/0 | 31 | 32/2 |
Joba Chamberlain | 22/3 | 34 | 10/1 |
Casey Fien | 21/3 | 31 | 14/2 |
Darren O’Day | 19/4 | 36 | 23/6 |
Jonathan Broxton | 18/5 | 32 | 11/1 |
Brett Cecil | 18/2 | 28 | 32/10 |
Luke Gregerson | 18/6 | 33 | 21/8 |
Yoervis Medina | 18/1 | 24 | 16/3 |
Pat Neshek | 18/2 | 30 | 24/6 |
Brian Wilson | 18/3 | 31 | 5/3 |
Dellin Betances | 17/3 | 28 | 37/10 |
Andrew Miller | 17/0 | 21 | 29/2 |
Mike Dunn | 17/1 | 23 | 28/6 |
Kevin Jepsen | 16/2 | 29 | 34/13smith |