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2 hours ago
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Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire: If you need help at catcher, Victor Caratini is a must-add amid hot streak
As we roll out of the MLB All‑Star break into Week 16, here are five under‑50% rostered hitters in Yahoo fantasy baseball leagues who are peaking at the right time — and deserve a spot in your lineup. Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Pickups Romy González (1B/2B/3B/SS, BOS) – 28% rostered Gonzalez, a 28-year-old utility man, is primed for a breakout week. Though he went hitless last week, he's scorching hot in July, slashing .375/.389/.781 with a 1.170 OPS. His favorable matchups make him a priority add this week. With the Red Sox facing the Phillies and Dodgers, he's scheduled to face three left-handed pitchers in Week 16. That's been his forte, as Gonzalez is mashing .389/.444/.708 with four HRs and 16 RBI in 72 ABs versus left-handed pitching this season. Between González's multi-positional eligibility and his dominance against LHP, getting him into your lineups is a must this week. Chandler Simpson, OF, Tampa Bay Rays – 37% rostered Simpson's elite speed and recent production make him a top waiver add. He's fifth in MLB in steals (27) and hitting .308, with eight SBs and a .347 average since his call-up on June 24. Per Statcast, Simpson is 96th percentile or higher in base-running run value, xBA, whiff%, K% and sprint speed — all strong indicators that he's a weapon for any fantasy manager needing steals with a high batting average. He snapped an 18-game hitting streak on Sunday, but with games against the White Sox and Reds this week, he should continue to cook at the top of the order for the Rays. Simpson should be rostered in all formats. [Smarter waivers, better trades, optimized lineups — Yahoo Fantasy Plus unlocks it all] Austin Hays, OF, Cincinnati Reds – 22% rostered Hays, now "healthy" and batting cleanup for the Reds, is delivering steady run production. He's a reliable short-term addition in the outfield with a .289 average and 40 RBI in 50 games. Advanced metrics put Hays above the league average in several key batting categories. If health wasn't a concern, he'd be more widely rostered. Consider streaming him through Wednesday; he's facing the Nationals and has slashed .349/.406/.556 against them over 18 career games. Mickey Moniak, OF, Colorado Rockies – 12% rostered I considered Ryan McMahon here, but I'm rolling with Moniak because he's been more consistent recently. The schedule is favorable, with the Cardinals traveling to Colorado for a three-game road trip and the Rockies flying out to Baltimore to face an underwhelming Orioles pitching staff over the weekend. Moniak is displaying a ton of power, ranking near the 80th percentile in xSLG, barrel percentage, hard-hit percentage, bat speed, and LA sweet-spot percentage. In an abridged Week 15, Moniak finished 39th, delivering one HR, four runs with two RBI with a .462 batting average. Over the past month, he's batting .339. There's also untapped potential on the base paths, as he's 84th percentile in sprint speed, per Statcast. Having registered a hit in 13 of his last 14 games, he's a guy to target if needing help in the outfield or utility spots. Victor Caratini, C/1B, Houston Astros – 15% rostered Caratini's coming off consecutive three-hit efforts and enters Week 16 as one of the hottest hitters in MLB. He ranks in the top 50 over the past two weeks, hitting .389 with two HRs, four runs and eight RBI over that span. Caratini is a must-roster asset in two-catcher leagues and is gaining momentum in one-catcher formats, too. He's been a top-5 option behind the dish over the past 30 days, so if you're looking for an adjustment at backstop, Caratini's stock is rising. With matchups against suspect pitching staffs in the Diamondbacks and Athletics, Caratini should deliver some pop in the middle of the Astros' lineup for fantasy managers.
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2 hours ago
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Fantasy Baseball 2-Start Pitcher Rankings: With options limited, focusing on one-start streamers seems ideal
Finding a two-start pitcher in the first full week after the All-Star break is always a tough task. Most teams rolled out their best starters for the initial second-half games, which means that the players who start Monday and Tuesday are primarily those who have struggled thus far. In many fantasy baseball leagues, I would skip the entire two-start list and focus on the top hurlers in one-start streamers section. On the hitting side, managers in shallow leagues can start off their week by looking for Cardinals, while those in deeper formats can search for Astros. Fantasy Baseball Two-Start Pitchers (listed in order of preference) Mitch Keller, Pirates, 51% (vs. DET, vs. ARI) Keller is having his best MLB season (3.48 ERA, 1.14 WHIP), but thanks to the Pirates low-scoring offense, he has a 3-10 record to show for it. The right-hander would normally be advisable to use despite the low win potential, but he faces two offenses that rank among the top 6 in runs scored. Still, we can consider him the best of a bad bunch. Jacob Lopez, Athletics, 24% (@ TEX, @ HOU) After enjoying a dazzling stretch for most of June, Lopez has come crashing back to reality by logging a 6.39 ERA and 1.42 WHIP across his past three starts. In defense of Lopez, all three of those games came against teams with winning records, and he produced a solid 14:4 K:BB ratio during the rough stretch. The lefty has a polarizing schedule this week, as the Astros rank second in OPS vs. southpaws, while the Rangers sit way down at 29th. Tomoyuki Sugano, Orioles, 13% (@ CLE, vs. COL) Sugano out-pitched his expected stats for a little over two months before regressing badly with a 7.94 ERA and 1.94 WHIP across his past six starts. Simply put, the 35-year-old rookie doesn't dominate the strike zone well enough (5.4 K/9 rate) to have sustained success. Still, Sugano could be a decent one-week dice roll in 12-team leagues, as he has an incredible schedule, which includes the Guardians (26th in runs scored) and Rockies (28th). Max Scherzer, Blue Jays, 44% (vs. NYY, @ DET) Although Scherzer has posted mediocre ratios in four starts since coming off the injured list (4.50 ERA, 1.30 WHIP), he has been hampered by a .327 BABIP while logging a solid 23:7 K:BB ratio in 20 innings. He would normally receive strong consideration, but has tough matchups this week. The Yankees (3rd) and Tigers (6th) are among the top teams in runs scored. Joey Cantillo, Guardians, 8% (vs. BAL, @ KC) In three starts since joining the rotation, Cantillo has had some successes (18 strikeouts in 12.2 IP) and failures (4.97 ERA, 1.58 WHIP). Until he makes improvements to his walk rate, the 25-year-old will likely be a roller coaster that fantasy managers do not want to ride. The southpaw has a favorable schedule this week. The Royals struggle to score and Orioles have been awful against lefties, but it still may not be enough to get him into 12-team lineups. Jake Irvin, Nationals, 17% (vs. CIN, @ MIN) We know who Irvin is by now — a below-average starter who eats innings but gives up too many homers to be useful in fantasy. He has average matchups this week, but his ceiling is as a dart throw in 15-team leagues. Hayden Birdsong, Giants, 16% (@ ATL, vs. NYM) After showing improved control skills in his initial work as a starter, Birdsong has walked 21 batters across 27.2 innings in his past six starts. The righty has plenty of strikeout potential but cannot be trusted in any categories league until he lowers his walk rate. At best, Birdsong is a points-league option this week, thanks to his RP eligibility. Randy Vásquez, Padres, 5% (@ MIN, vs. @ STL) Those who look beyond Vásquez's 3.80 ERA will choose to leave him on waivers. The right-hander does plenty of WHIP damage (1.39) and all of his ERA estimators are north of 5.00. Any pitcher with a 50:46 K:BB ratio is headed for hard times. [Smarter waivers, better trades, optimized lineups — Yahoo Fantasy Plus unlocks it all] One-Start Streamers In order, here are the best streamers for the week, with their start date and Yahoo roster rate in brackets. Trevor Rogers vs. COL (Saturday, 50%) Ryne Nelson @ PIT (Friday, 41%) Michael Wacha vs. CLE (Friday, 39%) Sean Manaea vs. LAA (Wednesday, 51%) Emmet Sheehan @ BOS (Friday, 23%) Taj Bradley vs. CWS (Wednesday, 48%) Slade Cecconi vs. BAL (Wednesday, 19%) Zebby Matthews vs. WSH (Saturday, 20%) Dean Kremer @ CLE (Friday, 28%) Patrick Corbin vs. ATH (Wednesday, 12%) Brandon Walter @ ARI (Wednesday, 18%) Janson Junk @ MIL (Saturday, 28%) Colin Rea vs. KC (Wednesday, 23%) Favorable Monday-Thursday hitting matchups Cardinals @ Rockies, vs. Padres St. Louis should score early and often when it heads to Coors Field to face a Colorado pitching staff with a 6.12 home ERA. The Rockies are slated to start lefties on Monday and Wednesday, which makes right-handed hitters Iván Herrera (55%) and Masyn Winn (49%) the best players to add in shallow leagues. In deeper formats, Victor Scott II (14%) is a good option for steals. Alec Burleson (51%) is a good streamer for the entire week, as he will benefit from facing righties in five of the team's seven games. Astros @ D-backs, vs. Athletics Houston will face four below average starters over the next four days, and a pair of bullpens that both rank among the bottom-5 in ERA. There aren't too many options from this offense in deep leagues, but Victor Caratini (14%) qualifies as someone who has played well of late and is widely available. Mauricio Dubon (4%) has been an everyday player in July, and Cam Smith (49%) is still sitting on waivers in some shallow leagues.
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3 days ago
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Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire: Luke Keaschall, Dylan Lee and Jordan Lawlar
FANTASY BASEBALL WAIVER WIRE PICKUPS Luke Keaschall (2B Twins): Rostered in 11% of Yahoo leagues After nearly three months off due to a fractured forearm suffered on a HBP, Keaschall is back playing baseball again and will resume partaking in official games as he kicks off a rehab assignment with Triple-A St. Paul on Friday. Most likely, he'll stay there at least a week. If it doesn't look like he's missed a beat, he could rejoin the Twins afterwards. If he's slow out of the gate, then maybe he'll be optioned to the minors for a spell. Still, we're going to hope here for the former scenario. It wasn't perfectly clear that Keachall was ready for the majors when he got the call just three weeks into the season, but he certainly looked the part, opening up on a six-game hitting streak before getting hurt in his seventh game. Most impressive was that he walked five times and struck out just twice in 26 plate appearances. He was 5-for-5 stealing bases. He went without a homer, but he had two barrels and five other hard-hit balls among his 17 balls in play. Just those seven games still place him seventh in WAR among the Twins' 18 position players with at least 20 plate appearances this season. And that's why he really ought to get another chance quickly. Give him the spot of Brooks Lee or Ty France or Trevor Larnach and let him go. He's not going to be a big power hitter just yet, but he can certainly help a team currently ranked 21st in the majors in OBP and 26th in steals. It'll be some time before it pays off, but he should be stashed now. Dylan Lee (RP Braves): Rostered in 8% of Yahoo leagues Which reliever not currently closing has the best chance of sliding into the closer's role because of a trade deadline move? Let's throw out some names: Angels: Reid DetmersAthletics: Elvis Alvarado?Guardians: Cade SmithOrioles: Yennier Cano (assuming Seranthony Domínguez is gone)Rays: Edwin Uceta, Kevin Kelly, eventually Drew Ramsussen?Red Sox: Jordan HicksRoyals: Lucas ErcegTwins: Griffin Jax Braves: Dylan LeeCardinals: JoJo Romero, Riley O'Brien (Phil Maton goes, too, if Ryan Helsley goes)D-backs: Shelby Miller or Ryan Thompson if they eventually come back healthyMarlins: Calvin Faucher (if Ronny Henríquez and Anthony Bender are both traded)Nationals: Brad LordPirates: Carmen Mlodzinksi, Braxton Ashcraft (Dennis Santana is a goner)Reds: Tony Santillan, Scott Barlow (also both trade candidates) Of everyone here, I'd say Lee is the best bet. Raisel Iglesias seems much more likely to be traded than Aroldis Chapman, Emmanuel Clase or Ryan Helsley, and unlike some other guys here, Lee is a clear No. 2 on the depth chart. Lord is also rather interesting, since Kyle Finnegan is very likely to be dealt, but I think he's a breakdown candidate after a heavy first-half workload in his first stint as a reliever. Jax, along with Smith, probably has the most upside of the group, but I don't think the Twins will wind up selling. Erceg is also intriguing, but the Royals will probably keep Carlos Estévez and try to hang in the race unless these next 10 days go badly. Jordan Lawlar (SS Diamondbacks): Rostered in 7% of Yahoo leagues That Lawlar hasn't already been picked up in more leagues is an obvious reaction to his latest injury, a Grade 1 hamstring strain that has had him on the shelf for Triple-A Reno since June 26. There haven't really been any updates on his status since, but players typically return from Grade 1 strains within a month, meaning Lawlar should be about ready to join the Diamondbacks infield right around the trade deadline, when the team is nearly certain to ship out free agent-to-be Eugenio Suárez. Lawlar's first major league stint this season saw him go hitless in 19 at-bats, but that was in a bit role. He'll play regularly next time around, and he'll show off the power-speed combination that has allowed him to amass 17 homers and 22 steals to go along with a .334/.420/.590 line in 81 career Triple-A games. The durability concerns are real and might need to be factored into his long-term dynasty value, but if he's up on Aug. 1 as hoped, he could be good for around eight homers and a dozen steals over the final third of the season. Waiver Wire Quick Hits - The Rockies' Ezequiel Tovar is only 46% rostered in Yahoo leagues as he returns from his second IL stint of the year. That's above my threshold for being featured in this column, but he needs to be picked up in leagues in which he's available. He's been somewhat disappointing in his 32 games while healthy, but he was plenty useful last year and he really should be better now; his strikeout rate is just 22%, compared to 29% last year, and his hard-hit rate has jumped from 40% to 44%. Statcast gives him an xBA of .303 and an xSLG of .500. - I featured Shane Bieber seven weeks ago before his setback in his return from Tommy John, so I won't do it again now. However, he's back on a rehab assignment, having thrown two scoreless innings Tuesday, and he's currently available in 64% of Yahoo leagues. He could turn out to be pretty helpful during the final two months.
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4 days ago
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Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire: Offenses to target, long-term players to add as MLB starts second half
Major League action returns Friday, which is not a moment too soon in this fantasy baseball writer's opinion. And the league is returning with a vengeance, as all 30 teams will play on each of the initial six days back. There are plenty of things we don't know, as many teams have yet to announce their post-break rotation order. But for some of baseball's weakest franchises, the rotation order doesn't matter, as they lack high-end starters. Here are teams and players who can benefit from favorable schedules this weekend. Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Advice Twins @ Rockies Minnesota is in the best position of any team this weekend, playing three games at hitter-friendly Coors Field while facing the worst pitching staff in baseball. And the best news for fantasy managers is that there are plenty of Twins who can be added. Willi Castro (47%), Royce Lewis (45%) and Carlos Correa (25%) are the top options, while Trevor Larnach (9%) and Matt Wallner (7%) can be streamed against righties on Saturday and Sunday. Harrison Bader (3%) is another player to target, as he was swinging a hot bat prior to the break. The Rockies are less likely to enjoy an offensive outburst, but they could benefit from their home park nonetheless. Mickey Moniak (11%) has been a top-100 player over the past 30 days, which makes him a fine option. A similar case can be made for Tyler Freeman (17%), who has been a top-150 player in the past 30 days and should enjoy hitting leadoff during the upcoming homestand. Cardinals @ D-backs Those who want to add hitters for longer than the weekend should target St. Louis players, as they will spend the weekend against a D-backs' staff that ranks 26th in ERA before enjoying a series at Coors Field at the outset of next week. Masyn Winn (49%), Iván Herrera (55%) and Alec Burleson (48%) are the top players to add. Guardians vs. Athletics Cleveland has struggled offensively in recent weeks, but they have a great chance to start the second half on a high note when they meet a pitching staff that ranks 28th in baseball in ERA. I wouldn't add any Guardians in shallow leagues, but Ángel Martínez (5%) is worth a shot in deeper formats. [Smarter waivers, better trades, optimized lineups — Yahoo Fantasy Plus unlocks it all] Rays vs. Orioles Tampa has predictably hit well at their hitter-friendly venue this season, which bodes well for their upcoming series against an Orioles staff that ranks 27th in ERA. Josh Lowe (49%) and Ha-Seong Kim (6%) are the top Rays hitters to add for all-around production, while Chandler Simpson (36%) fits the bill for those who need steals. Some managers will prefer to add possible long-term solutions rather than streamers. For those who fit that description, here are some players to consider. Long-Term Waiver Wire Options Jansen Junk, SP/RP, Marlins, 21% Junk is coming off a spectacular two-start week where he won both of his starts while allowing nary an earned run across 13 innings. He doesn't have strong swing-and-miss skills, but his 38:4 K:BB ratio is an elite mark, and he has surrendered just one homer. Junk needs to be rostered in 12-team leagues while we determine the sustainability of his surprising success. Brandon Walter, SP, Astros, 15% Take almost everything I said about Junk and apply it to Walter. If K-BB ratio is an important statistic (and, it is), then both players need to be rostered in 12-team leagues. Walter has an eye-popping 40:2 mark, although his success has come with being more homer prone (8 HR in 7 starts) than Junk. Walter has superior strikeout skills to Junk, making it an even race in terms of which hurler is more appealing to add. Danny Palencia, RP, Cubs, 49% This is the last time I will write about Palencia, who will either see his roster rate surge or dramatically decline by July 31. The right-hander is a top-15 saves source, as someone who has pitched well this year (1.57 ERA, 0.87 WHIP) and is the closer on one of baseball's best teams. If the Cubs stick with Palencia as their ninth-inning man past the trade deadline, his roster rate should skyrocket to at least 75%. And if they trade for a closer, it should drop below 20%. Palencia is a risk worth taking for the next two weeks. Victor Caratini, C/1B, Astros, 11% Caratini has surprisingly become an everyday player for the Astros, hitting his way into a split role between catcher, first base and designated hitter. In July, he has hit .325 with four homers, 13 RBI and a 1.001 OPS. Caratini is an obvious addition in two-catcher leagues and a great short-term option for those who are dealing with a slumping or injured catcher in shallow formats. Chandler Simpson, OF, Rays, 36% I've written about Simpson far too often, so I'll keep this short. If you need steals or batting average help, he should be your top target. He will score his share of runs too. Ramon Laureano, OF, Orioles, 12% Laureano is playing so well that the Orioles will likely be able to trade him at the deadline. Being dealt may sap the 31-year-old's fantasy value, but that's a problem for another day. He will play regularly for the next two weeks, which includes a series at the Rays hitter-friendly park this weekend and a series against the Rockies the following weekend. Also, Baltimore plays each day between now and July 30, including a double-header on July 29.
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4 days ago
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Fantasy Baseball Closer Report: State of saves at the All-Star break
In this week's Closer Report, we review the first half in saves across the closer landscape and take a look at which late-inning situations are worth monitoring with two weeks left until the trade deadline. Fantasy Baseball Closer Rankings Tier 1: At the Top Josh Hader - Houston Astros Hader gave up another home run in his last outing before the break, blowing a save against the Rangers. Six of the eight home runs he's allowed have come over the last month. With four runs allowed over his previous two outings, it pushed his ERA from 1.80 to 2.53. Still, those numbers show he had some room for regression, and he remains the top closer for fantasy purposes. Tier 2: The Elite Andrés Muñoz - Seattle MarinersEdwin Díaz - New York MetsAroldis Chapman - Boston Red SoxJhoan Duran - Minnesota TwinsEmmanuel Clase - Cleveland GuardiansRobert Suarez - San Diego Padres Muñoz gave up two runs to blow a save against the Yankees last Thursday, then bounced back with a clean inning in a non-save situation against the Tigers on Sunday before the break. Muñoz recorded just one save in June before locking down four saves in six days to start July. The 26-year-old right-hander enters the second half with 21 saves and a 1.50 ERA, 0.89 WHIP, and a 46/14 K/BB ratio across 36 innings. Díaz, in his last outing before the break, converted a two-inning save against the Royals on Saturday, striking out one batter for his 19th save of the season to go with a 1.66 ERA, 0.87 WHIP, and a 55/13 K/BB ratio across 38 innings. The 31-year-old right-hander is back dominating on the mound after missing the 2023 season and a disappointing 2024 in his first year back from injury. Chapman has actually been the best closer in baseball over the last month, leading all relievers by a wide margin with a 49% K-BB ratio since the start of June. He added two saves against the Rays before the All-Star break, striking out five batters over two scoreless innings, extending his scoreless outing streak to 18 games. Duran worked two outings against the Pirates before the break. He picked up a save on Friday, striking out two in a scoreless inning. He then took the loss on Sunday, giving up a run on three hits. The 27-year-old right-hander will take a 1.66 ERA, 1.13 WHIP, and a 49/16 K/BB ratio with 15 saves over 43 1/3 innings into the second half. Both Duran and setup man Griffin Jax are expected to draw major interest at the trade deadline. Jax would make a capable closer should he land in a favorable situation or if the Twins decide to move Duran. Both relievers still carry three seasons of team control, so the team would likely need to come away with a significant trade package to make a move. Clase worked a scoreless inning to convert a save against the White Sox on Friday, then pitched two innings to come away with a win against Chicago on Sunday. The 27-year-old right-hander has converted 20 saves with a 2.91 ERA, 1.22 WHIP, and a 42/10 K/BB ratio across 43 1/3 innings. And in San Diego, Suarez worked a clean inning with one strikeout for a save against the Phillies last Thursday, then worked another perfect frame with a strikeout for his 28th save before the All-Star break. Tier 3: The Solid Options Mason Miller - AthleticsDevin Williams - New York YankeesTrevor Megill - Milwaukee BrewersFélix Bautista - Baltimore OriolesTanner Scott - Los Angeles DodgersWill Vest - Detroit TigersEmilio Pagán - Cincinnati RedsDavid Bednar - Pittsburgh PiratesDaniel Palencia - Chicago CubsCamilo Doval - San Francisco GiantsRyan Helsley - St. Louis CardinalsCarlos Estévez - Kansas City RoyalsJeff Hoffman - Toronto Blue JaysPete Fairbanks - Tampa Bay RaysKyle Finnegan - Washington NationalsKenley Jansen - Los Angeles Angels Miller made three scoreless appearances in the days leading up to the break, including back-to-back saves against the Blue Jays. He appears to be getting back on track with eight consecutive scoreless outings. The 26-year-old right-hander now has 19 saves with a 4.04 ERA, 1.07 WHIP, and a 57/17 K/BB ratio across 35 2/3 innings. After giving up two runs against the Blue Jays on July 2, Williams went into the All-Star break with four straight perfect outings. He fell in line for a win last Thursday against the Mariners, then struck out two in a clean frame against the Cubs. Meanwhile, Megill did not make an appearance since the last column and remains at 21 saves with a 2.41 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, and a 43/15 K/BB ratio across 33 2/3 innings. Bautista pitched a clean inning against the Mets last Thursday for his 18th save. The 30-year-old right-hander has made an impressive return from Tommy John surgery, posting a 2.41 ERA, 1.04 WHIP, and a 48/20 K/BB ratio across 33 2/3 innings. In Los Angeles, Scott struck out two in a clean inning on Saturday for his 19th save, then blew an opportunity Sunday, giving up two runs against the Giants. The 30-year-old left-hander allowed five runs over his last four outings. Blake Treinen appears ready to be activated from the injured list out of the All-Star break and could figure into some save chances based on matchups. Vest blew a save in his only appearance this last week, uncharacteristically walking three batters against the Mariners on Sunday. Still, he's had a stellar first half, emerging as Detroit's primary closer with 15 saves, a 2.30 ERA, 1.02 WHIP, and a 48/15 K/BB ratio across 43 innings. Pagán made back-to-back scoreless outings against the Rockies last week, picking up a win on Saturday before locking down his 20th win on Sunday. The 34-year-old right-hander has had an excellent season in Cincinnati, posting a 2.93 ERA, 0.88 WHIP, and a 50/13 K/BB ratio across 40 innings. Bednar also pitched both days over the weekend, converting his 13th save Sunday against the Twins. Meanwhile, Palencia grabbed two more saves Saturday and Sunday with two scoreless outings against the Yankees. The 25-year-old right-hander has been a breakout in the first half, recording a 1.57 ERA, 0.87 WHIP, and a 39/11 K/BB ratio over 34 1/3 innings. In San Francisco, Doval worked around a hit and a walk to convert a save against the Dodgers on Friday, then tossed a scoreless inning in a non-save situation on Sunday. Doval's walk issues and lower strikeout rate this season continue to make him a volatile closer. Still, he's generally gotten the job done since taking back the ninth-inning role. Helsley took a loss on Saturday, giving up a run on two hits against the Braves. He bounced back on Sunday with a scoreless inning for his 19th save of the season to go with a 3.27 ERA, 1.42 WHIP, and a 36/14 K/BB ratio over 33 innings. Estévez struck out two in a scoreless inning in a non-save situation against the Mets on Friday, then fell in line for a win despite giving up two runs on Sunday. Meanwhile, Hoffman broke a nine-game scoreless streak with three runs allowed against the Athletics on Friday to give him a 5.03 ERA over 39 1/3 innings at the break. In his only appearance this week, Fairbanks blew a save and took the loss with two runs allowed against the Red Sox on Friday. The 31-year-old right-hander has a 2.75 ERA, 1.14 WHIP, and a 31/15 K/BB ratio across 36 innings. Finnegan also blew a save and took a loss, giving up three runs against the Brewers on Saturday. And in Anaheim, Jansen picked up a win with a scoreless inning of work against the Diamondbacks on Friday. Tier 4: Here for the Saves Matt Strahm/Orion Kerkering - Philadelphia PhilliesKevin Ginkel - Arizona DiamondbacksRobert Garcia - Texas Rangers Strahm picked up a save for the Phillies on Sunday against the Padres, his sixth of the season. No saves out of Arizona over the weekend. Ginkel, Kendall Graveman, and Kyle Backhus could all figure into the saves mix. And the Rangers went without a save to close out the first half. Garcia did take a loss with a run allowed against the Astros on Saturday. Tier 5: Bottom of the Barrel Calvin Faucher/Ronny Henriquez - Miami MarlinsGrant Taylor - Chicago White SoxSeth Halvorsen/Victor Vodnik - Colorado Rockies Relievers On The Rise/Stash Candidates Last week's column touched on the trade speculation surrounding Minnesota relievers Griffin Jax and Jhoan Duran. While it would be a surprise to see both relievers traded by the deadline, it may not hurt to take a look at who could step up in their place. Louis Varland has been the next reliever down in the high-leverage order. The 27-year-old right-hander has made the transition from starter to reliever this year and has been incredibly effective, posting a 1.81 ERA, 1.01 WHIP, and a 43/11 K/BB ratio across 44 2/3 innings. And when healthy, Brock Stewart has flashed some strikeout upside over the last three seasons. The 33-year-old veteran right-hander's 29 1/3 innings so far are the most he's pitched since 2017. He's posted a solid 2.45 ERA, 1.13 WHIP, and a 38/10 K/BB ratio. The Angels remain in the Wild Card mix at four games behind at the All-Star break. But if they fall further behind over the next couple of weeks, we could see veteran closer Kenley Jansen on the move. His departure could open the door for Reid Detmers to step into the closer role. Despite the speculation that he could move back into a starting role, he'll reportedly continue to work out of the bullpen, where he's been most effective. The 26-year-old left-hander had a rough stretch in early May but has posted a 1.24 ERA with 38 strikeouts over 29 innings since May 9.
