If history teaches us anything about fantasy baseball, it’s that the proof is in the pudding.  If history actually teaches us anything, it’s that Brad Pitt killed Hektor.  See what I did there, I pulled the ole okie doke.  It’s a favorable trick passed down through the years of dudes who vape and like to talk about how a dime won’t even buy a nickle anymore.  Those first few sentences are brought to you by filth and non-sense, because life isn’t fitting if there isn’t filthy or nonsensical.  So onto Holds, which about six actual readers, and one of the female variety still get all excited about.  The title says it all this week for the lede, Hector Neris has been carried in most formats all year because he brings some fantasy goodness to the table.  As a handcuff, there’s no way he can do it for the whole year, even with Jeanmar, or the fact that he has sexy enough reliever numbers, 11-plus K-rate, under 3 ERA.  I could go on and on and bore the crap out of you, but let’s just put it this way: he has 27 Holds behind a closer that has 34 saves for a surprise bullpen asset in the Phillies.  So in the last two weeks with the Phil’s getting there fair share of victories he has been an augmenter to your hold total notching a league high 5 holds.  He is a key cog down the stretch for not only the Phils , but for your fantasy team regardless of format.  So go take a look, just in case the late year shuffle has thrown him by the wayside.  After you do that follow the bottom for some Holds, set-up and other relief goodies…
- The man named after the famous mathematician is now piloting the hold-ship Lollypop in Seattle. Â Arquimedes has been money for them over the last fortnight with 5 holds. Ignore the periphs, it’s late enough in the year that you have to take the good with the bad with relievers, but the hold stat is what matters.
- The Cubs are infusing the Grimm and Edwards technique for relief lately. Â It’s more Grimm, but not in the way you think of the word as an adjective.
- The D-backs relief corp has imploded, Â I understand the chase, but sometimes it’s better to just call Uber and go home and be alone.
- The Royals haven’t missed Wade Davis in the least bit, he’s coming back possibly next week, but have an ERA under a buck for the last 30 days as a unit. Â Sleeper there Matt Strahm, your welcome.
- Do rookies and young flame-throwing prospects look better in relief or is the other way around, regardless he will have dual eligibility next year because of it. Â Alex Reyes is the youthful vigor in front of Oh and he is the goods. Â A save and a hold in his favor overcast 10-plus a K-rate over most other human beings.
| Player | Holds/BS | App with Lead | IR Runners/IR Scored |
|---|---|---|---|
| Â Addison Reed | Â 31/3 | 43 | 29/9 |
| Â Dellin Bettances | Â 27/3 | 42 | 19/6 |
| Â Neftali Feliz | 27/2 | 38 | 30/7 |
| Hector Neris |  27/2 | 38 | 19/4 |
| Kyle Barraclough | 25/3 | 35 | 16/3 |
| Nate Jones | Â 25/8 | 41 | 28/6 |
| Jake Diekman |  23/1 | 39 | 18/6 |
| Justin Wilson | Â 23/5 | 42 | Â 17/8 |
| Joe Blanton |  22/1 | 33 | 23/10 |
| Zach Duke |  22/3 | 34 | 35/11 |
| Boone Logan |  22/2 | 34 | 41/8 |
| Brad Brach |  20/4 | 37 | 20/1 |
| Andrew Miller | Â 20/2 | 37 | 4/1 |
| Felipe Rivero | Â 20/2 | 38 | 25/4 |
| Xavier Cedeno | Â 19/5 | Â 30 | 23/7 |
| Will Harris |  19/3 | 35 | 6/2 |
| Bryan Shaw | Â 19/3 | 35 | Â 15/3 |
| Josh Osich |  18/3 | 28 | 40/2 |
| Tyler Clippard |  17/2 | 29 | 13/6 |
| Daniel Hudson | Â 17/0 | 27 | 19/4 |
What is going on in Miami? I have Rodney and Ramos. Which one do I start next week?
@Oranje: gotta be Nando until we see something official
I am thinking about adding Neris and Reyes to my team in a 10 team h2h for the playoffs. I thought they might help out my team’s era and whip while adding Ks. Seem reasonable?
@Robert Closson: Reyes could get some starts down the stretch it looks like, both great grabs
Not a relief pitcher question, but I will fire away nonetheless. James Taillon. Will he be shut down early or will he be allowed to keep going? Think of trading Sam Dyson for him.
@Five-On-One: He has to be one of the Pirates best starters, but I think the innings thing comes into play whether he gets skipped or pitches on every 6th day instead. Seems like a low risk proposition if you have other relievers that you are more confident in then Dyson
I actually read your hold columns even though my league doesn’t do holds. I’m always interested in non-closers, especially toward the end when the innings limit is nigh. Speaking of, do you have any relievers you’d recommend to help ratios that are most likely to get some sneaky wins?
@Hugman: Jesse Chavez, Mike Clevinge
@Smokey: Oh yeah, Chavez. Great call. Thanks!
can someone tell me why Melancon didn’t get credit for a save last night when he came in with bases clear but a 3 run lead 8-5 and 1 out to get to close out the 9th and he didi with a strikeout…. what am I missing here?
@WHY NO SAVE !! ??: no clue I was expecting the stat to be there also, I will have to look into it
@Smokey: I’m not crazy right? Its supposed to be a save right ?
@#flytheW: from what I saw yes
With a three run lead you have to enter the game and pitch the entire 9th inning to get a save. The one out made it a non save situation.
A bunch of my holds guys are now closing or starting, and I need to pick up another as I’m trying to keep pace
What are your thought on Harris?
What about Givens?
Thanks!
Keith
@billiejak: Love them both for Holds going forward
Tilman was dropped in my league. Do you think he be effective when he returns?
@Robert Closson: semi-effective, good shot at wins
In a saves league..not holds.. Looking to pick up a handful of saves, and was just offered Rodney.
Yeah? Or is Ramos back in the 9th ?
@Turn Two: it’s been Rodney even with ramos back so until it happens I am assuming its Rodney
Hey there. …I read Neris may finally get some save opps….true or false? Guessing Philly won’t do anything to lower Jeanmar’s potential trade value. ..and you like Matt Moore going forward? Thanks, G
@Greg: maybe, but Jeanmar hasn’t done anything to say different, possibly an off day save. Moore is so hit or miss and no home/road split to help, I would play him against teams they should beat if no better option exists on waivers to stream
Feliz or Neris next week need H/S and K’s thx!!
@luvdarooks: neris