So with a continuation from previous post about fantasy baseball middle relievers today will be the senior circuit and the National League. I personally tend to notice that it is easier to stream or pick up relievers from the NL because of the way they substitute pitchers in games more frequently. Maybe it’s just me, you can agree to disagree if you choose, but I will always be right regardless of what you say. Here’s some pitchers that get holds for 2012 fantasy baseball:
NL East
New York – Everyone handcuffed Frank Frank with Rauch as well they should, but in the holds department Tim Byrdak and Bobby Parnell are the main set-up to the set-up guys if that makes any type of sense.
Philadelphia – Antonio Bastardo was the early on favorite to garner most of the holds attention. Retread Chad Qualls seems to be the go-to guy in the early going. Not a great situation, in general, as Philly’s starters average almost 8 innings a start.
Miami – This to me is the place to come and get a nice mixed daiquiri and maybe an unheralded RP. Steve Chisek, Edward Mujica and Randy Choate form a nice triumvirate of relievers in front of Bell. Out of the 3, I would take Chisek.
Washington – Tyler Clippard is the guy most owned, he has had it rough in the beginning, but is a good bet for 30 plus here. Sean Burnett has been turned into an everyday guy to a more situational guy and it suits him. Craig Stammen is the sleeper guy, showing great K rate and a good source for vulture wins.
Atlanta – Everyday Jonny is owned or should be in most formats. Kris Medlen and Eric O’Flaherty form a nice righty/lefty setup in front of him.
NL Central
St Louis – The more I watch St Louis, the more I am starting to like Mitchell Boggs as the guy in front of Motte. Marc Rzepczynski is a fill-in for the tough lefties and both guys should finish above 25 Holds here.
Milwaukee – K-Rod is, well, K-Rod… Shows signs of being unhittable and then looks like a tether ball. Jose Veras is a nice option to have and has pitched semi-effectively to date. Kameron Loe is the sleeper to watch here.
Cincinnati – Aroldis Chapman is all the rage, like jean jackets and IOU sweatshirts, and, to be honest, he should be starting. Logan Ondrusek has done a stand-up job in the absence of Nick Masset.
Chicago – Yuck, can I just skip them? Wood is hurt. Rafael Dolis is young and spotty at best. Definitely a bullpen to avoid. Newly acquired Michael Bowden could become useful, so monitor it closely
Houston – Outside of Wilton Lopez, Fernando Rodriguez and David Carpenter are more names for NL-only, then mixed variety.
Pittsburgh – They can’t score so how are they supposed to have a lead. Do they even need a bullpen? Juan Cruz did a great job filling in at closer for Joel Hanrahan and is rosterable based on handcuff. Sleeper here is Jason Grilli, nice 10/1 K/bb rate in the early going.
NL West
Los Angeles – Kenley Jansen is most likely the closer of the future (or of right now). Josh Lindblom is the guy no one knows, but is climbing up Hold ranks for me.
San Diego – What happened? San Diego used to be the maven for relief pitching and they have three, count it, three holds as of me writing this. Cashner is the guy to own because of the inevitable trade of Street. You can pick any other reliever in the bullpen for the Friars and their numbers are excellent just no counting stats yet. Monitor close as 3-4 guys have great ratios and will eventually put up holds in bunches.
San Francisco – Well, Romo is still the man here, Casilla is the one turning out the lights and Clay Hensley and Javier Lopez are the guys that you want for holds after Romo. Just like Bochy drew it up in his ginormous head. Don’t forget about Affeldt here, that’s all I am saying.
Colorado – It’s the Rex Brothers and Matt Belisle show here as it seems they pitch everyday for the Rockies. Guys to keep an eye on are Matt Reynolds and Josh Roenicke.
Arizona – Bryan Shaw keeps stealing David Hernandez’s thunder by getting saves. Both are decent options for holds also. Though if Putz comes to shove, I think Hernandez is the closer in waiting. Deeper leagues can look at Craig Breslow.
