Week 25 Bullpen Briefs: Chapman Annointed Again

Photo Credit: Keith Allison

Welcome to the SCFE Week 25 Bullpen Briefs. This will be a reoccurring article focusing on all the happenings in bullpens around the league. While we all know there are some studs that may not lose their respective roles, there are plenty more that will be ripe for the taking.

And this won’t just be for the coveted closer roles. This will focus on setup men shifting. As well as letting people know who the next guy is that could get a lot of holds for them. Keeping an eye here can also help you know who to make that speculative add to your roster before the change is made.

This week, another New York change. The Cardinals making a move in the ninth. And surprise, another possible closer in the mix in SoCal.

If you want to see which hitters you should start, check out the Week 24 Hitting Planner by Aaron Hinckley.

So as we look to the second week of September, who are some of the guys you need to be looking at? Let’s dive in!

Week 25 Bullpen Briefs

**Updated as of September 17

Closers

Who’s Out?

Dellin Betances, RP, New York Yankees

Dellin Betances hadn’t recorded a save since August 26. Then he took a blown save and a loss on September 5. Now the change has been made back to Aroldis Chapman. Everyone knew Betances was just a placeholder until Chapman worked the kinks out of his game. Since the blown save, Betances has a 7.36 ERA, and a 7/3 K/BB ratio. It was just a matter of time.

Tyler Lyons, RP, St. Louis Cardinals

Tyler Lyons stint as the Cards closer was a short-lived one. His last save was on September 6. Since then he has had a win, a loss and given the closer role up to Juan Nicasio. While he did have an impressive 20 game appearance streak without an earned run, up to September 1.

His numbers are still really good, 2.72 ERA, 58 strikeouts, and 17 walks. It looks like Lyons will work the Seventh and possibly eighth innigs moving forward.

Who’s In?

Aroldis Chapman, RP, New York Yankees

Aroldis Chapman has two saves in his last three appearances. Officially put back into the closer role, Chapman has looked good, with six strikeouts and two walks. The Yankees currently own the first Wild Card spot, 4 games up on Minnesota. But the Yankees would love nothing more than to usurp the Boston Red Sox who are 3 games ahead of New York.

With 13 games to go, 10 against teams below .500, and the other three against the Twins, the Yankees need to capitalize now. Especially since the Red Sox also have an easy road, with 12 games left, eight against below .500 teams and a final four-game set against the Astros, who could be resting key players for the playoff run.

Juan Nicasio, RP, St. Louis Cardinals

After being traded from the Phillies to the Cardinals, Juan Nicasio looks to be the choice for the closer role. He recorded back-to-back saves on September 8 and 9. And on September 14, the lead was extended making it a non-save situation, but it was clear he’s the go-to guy.

Since September 8, Nicasio in 4.1 innings pitched has a 2.08 ERA, four strikeouts, and zero walks. If you need saves and Nicasio was dropped, pick him up now.

Relievers

Holds Candidates

 

These guys will be getting Holds and the occasional save opportunity for your team. Some will even luck into a few Wins.

• Taylor Rogers, MIN: 29 Holds, 3.23 ERA, 1.30 WHIP, 44 K, 19 BB, 0 SV, 6 W
• Nick Vincent, SEA: 27 Holds, 2.63 ERA, 1.09 WHIP, 48 K, 13 BB, 0 SV, 3 W
• Jose Ramirez, ATL: 26 Holds, 2.66 ERA, 1.13 WHIP, 55 K, 27 BB, 0 SV, 2 W
• Tommy Hunter, TB: 25 Holds, 2.29 ERA, 0.91 WHIP, 58 K, 12 BB, 1 SV, 3 W
• Jacob Barnes, MIL: 24 Holds, 4.27 ERA, 1.30 WHIP, 74 K, 30 BB, 2 SV, 3 W
• Matt Bowman, STL: 23 Holds, 4.09 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, 41 K, 17 BB, 2 SV, 3 W
• Archie Bradley, ARI: 23 Holds, 1.20 ERA, 0.93 WHIP, 75 K, 18 BB, 1 SV, 3 W
• Bryan Shaw, CLE: 23 Holds, 3.34 ERA, 1.23 WHIP, 63 K, 21 BB, 2 SV, 4 W
• Kyle Barraclough, MIA: 22 Holds, 3.19 ERA, 1.42 WHIP, 73 K, 36 BB, 0 SV 5 W
• Pedro Baez, LAD: 22 Holds, 2.59 ERA, 1.31 WHIP, 57 K, 27 BB, 0 SV, 3 W
• Carl Edwards, Jr., CHC: 22 Holds, 3.28 ERA, 1.06 WHIP, 87 K, 35 BB, 0 SV, 4 W
• Ryan Madson, WSH: 22 Holds, 1.79 ERA, 0.76 WHIP, 60 K, 7 BB, 2 SV, 5 W
• Andrew Miller, CLE: 22 Holds, 1.61 ERA, 0.80 WHIP, 80 K, 17 BB, 2 SV, 4 W
• Anthony Swarzak, MIL: 22 Holds, 2.25 ERA, 1.00 WHIP, 83 K, 16 BB, 2 SV, 6 W
• Matt Barnes, BOS: 21 Holds, 3.94 ERA, 1.25 WHIP, 74 K, 28 BB, 0 SV, 6 W
• Chris Devenski, HOU: 21 Holds, 2.71 ERA, 0.93 WHIP, 94 K, 24 BB, 4 SV, 8 W
• Mychal Givens, BAL: 21 Holds, 2.86 ERA, 1.07 WHIP, 82 K, 24 BB, 0 SV, 7 W
• Peter Moylan, KC: 21 Holds, 3.72 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, 43 K, 23 BB, 0 SV
• Pat Neshek, COL: 21 Holds, 1.69 ERA, 0.89 WHIP, 63 K, 6 BB, 1 SV, 5 W
• Juan Nicasio, STL: 21 Holds, 2.74 ERA, 1.08 WHIP, 65 K, 18 BB, 4 SV, 3 W

Keep an eye on…

Yusmeiro Petit, RP, Los Angeles Angels

Yusmeiro Petit has the latest save for the halos. Does that mean he is the closer now? Not with Mike Scioscia at the helm. Keep an eye on Petit, but Blake Parker or Bud Norris could find their way into the closing role as well.

So there are your Week 25 Bullpen Briefs, and the pitchers to keep an eye on moving forward. Be sure and check back to get the lowdown on the next batch of relievers to snag.

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