Fantasy Baseball Save Report:

Look A Little Closer (Week 3)

 

By Muntradamus

 

BEAST DOME NATION.

We are now almost done with the third Week of the Fantasy Baseball season.  Situations are playing out with position battles, and most importantly teams are picking their closers for the rest of the season.  In this article I will examine every team that has a Closer Battle that has yet to be won.  This is important if you are looking for saves.

 

TUESDAY FANTASY BASEBALL

WEDNESDAY FANTASY BASEBALL

THURSDAY FANTASY BASEBALL

 

READ THE BASKETBALL SEASON FINALE TO SEE THE ADVANTAGES OF THE BEAST V.I.P. PROGRAM

 

 

 

SAVE REPORT (WEEK 3)

 

WILL CHANGE SOONER THAN LATER

JIM HENDERSON (MIL) vs. JOHN AXFORD (MIL)

Winner: John Axford

Yes Axford has a horrible ERA over 12.50.  But when it is all said and done, if the Brewers want a 9th Inning guy that can be electric, Axford is their man.  He gave up HR’s on back-to-back days against Dexter Fowler.  It happens..

The ERA looks much worst than what it will be in a month, if/when Axford throws 3-4 Shutout 2K appearances in a row, or if Henderson blows a couple games in a row.  Axford will get his job back.

JOAQUIN BENOIT (DET) vs. JOSE VALVERDE (MINORS)

Winner: Jose Valverde

I don’t know what the Tigers are doing not using Valverde now.  This bullpen is beyond horrible and no reliever is an automatic shutout Inning.  The Tigers will not win a world series with this bullpen, and Benoit will not bring home the save crown to his fantasy owners.  The Tigers will be shuffling until they bring Valverde up.  If you are looking for a cheap 30+ Saves.  Jose Valverde is your man.

JOEL HANRAHAN (BOS) vs. ANDREW BAILEY (BOS)

Winner: Andrew Bailey

Last season Andrew Bailey was brought to the Red Sox to be their 9th INN closer.  Bailey got injured in preseason, and then once again in late July just when he got called up.  He was not the pitcher he was in Oakland, which scared the Red Sox into signing Hanrahan and Koji Uehara.  Hanrahan had an awful spring and could not buy an out.  His regular season was so-so before landing on the Disabled list.  In the mean time Andrew Bailey has reverted back to his 30+ Oakland A’s Save days.  Bailey was a bigger name than Hanrahan prior to 2012, and he will reclaim that title in 2013.

ERNESTO FRIERI (LAA) vs. RYAN MADSON (LAA)

Winner: Ryan Madson

Ernesto has done a great job in his 2 save situations so far.  His ERA is at 1.86 and there is no reason to think that Madson will get his closer role automatically once he returns.  In fact, Mike Scioscia said Ernesto will continue to close once Madson returns.  However, the Angels brought Madson in to be the teams 9th INN closer.  Ernesto ran into a lot of problems to close out the season, and if those problems occur while Madson is dominating in the 8th INN, then Madson will get his job back.

While Madson will get his job back, I would rather own Jose Valverde who will certainly be called up soon.

BRANDON LEAGUE (LAD) vs. KENLEY JANSEN (LAD)

Winner: Kenley Jansen

Let’s be real here.  Kenley Jansen owns the most unhittbale fastball in baseball today.  Why he is not the 9th INN guy does not make sense at all as he would be a closer on just about every other team.  The Dodgers have been finding out the hard/easy way that Brandon League is good, but also inconsistent.  While League should get 15+ saves easily, do note that if he continues to give up ER’s.  Two times in his last 4 appearances  Kenley will take the job and run away with it.  League is good, but also inconsistent.  That key word shows Jansen could get the job.

CARLOS MARMOL (CHC) vs. JAMES RUSSELL (CHC) vs. KYUJI FUJIKAWA (CHC)

Winner: Carlos Marmol

What a mess the closer role has been for the Cubs.  Marmol started the season as the closer, before giving his manager a heart attack in both his first/second/and third performance.  So the Cubs went with Fujikawa who looked good, but just as inconsistent as Marmol.  Then Fujikawa found himself on the DL with an arm problem.  That leaves lefty James Russell as the teams top closer.

While it may last for a while, if Marmol can continue his string of 4 Shutout appearances for another 3-4 times.  He should get the closer job back as the Cubs need him to be the man he was in 2010.

CLOSER RANKINGS PROJECTED FOR THE REST OF 2013

 

 

Muntradamus is a Fantasy Sports Expert who specializes in Fantasy Football/Baseball/Basketball. He is currently in his second season as a Pro on FantasyPros coming off of an impressive Rookie Campaign where he landed the #10 Overall In-Season Fantasy Football Rankings Expert.  Which also included #1 WR of all Expert Sites.  He is also one of two people to qualify for all DRAFTSTREET CHAMPIONSHIPS in 2012. Most Historically, Muntradamus was the #1 Fantasy Football Expert of IDP & Overall Rankings in One Week, first and only time in Fantasy Sports History.