Read on for The Game Day’s Week 7 Fantasy Closers: Depth Chart News, Saves Tips & Baseball Bullpen Report. See which MLB relief pitchers are locked in to save chances and which are in jeopardy with their job security. Keeping up with bullpen depth charts is vital for fantasy baseball teams. Identify which sleepers for saves and closers on the rise should be on your radar.
See our full 2021 Fantasy Baseball Closer Rankings & Depth Charts for every MLB bullpen.
Week 7 Fantasy Baseball Closers: Depth Chart News, Saves Tips & Bullpen Report
Tampa Bay Rays
- Committee: Pete Fairbanks, Jeffrey Springs, Andrew Kittredge
With Diego Castillo (groin) on IL, the Rays are doing their favorite thing: messing with fantasy baseball players. Thus far, Jeffrey Springs and Andrew Kittredge have recorded saves, but neither was viewed as a closing candidate in the preseason. Pete Fairbanks is the more “prototypical" closer with his stuff, but he just returned off IL and has looked good.
Good enough to close? Who knows. It’s the Rays.
Castillo threw a bullpen session recently and is possible to return after a short stint away so this entire consideration may be moot. However, if you are looking for a short-term option to speculate on in this bullpen, Jeffrey Springs may just be your guy. He has 2 saves this month and at worst can help your ratios given his 2.30 ERA and 0.83 WHIP. Springs is just another Rays fixer-upper after he was kicked to the curb by the Rangers and Red Sox.
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Toronto Blue Jays
- Closer: Jordan Romano
- Backups: Tyler Chatwood, David Phelps
With Rafael Dolis (calf) on IL, the Blue Jays have turned to Jordan Romano as their closer. Romano had the role solidified last season after Ken Giles‘ injury, but a finger issue forced Romano to miss time and lose the job. Heading into 2021 after Kirby Yates underwent Tommy John surgery, Romano was presumed as the closer for Toronto, but his utilization suggested otherwise and Julian Merryweather (oblique) stole the role with his overpowering stuff until he got injured as well.
Romano converted his first save of the season on Tuesday but it came with two baserunners let on. He did manage to close out the 2-run lead without allowing anyone to score but things felt shaky. His xFIP and SIERA are extremely shaky on the year as both hover around us 5.00 while his other indicators such as FIP and xERA are much more favorable around 3.00.
To Romano’s credit, he has been much better since his IL stint in mid-April. After a rough first outing back, he has allowed just one run and walk in 6IP. His five strikeouts in this stretch are not ideal but he seems to be much more comfortable than earlier this season.
Rafael Dolis remains a threat upon return from IL, but if Romano has the hot hand, Toronto may relegate Dolis to a setup-up role as he possessed previously. Julian Merryweather on the other hand is no threat due to his placement on the 60-day IL and the severity of his injury.
More Fantasy Baseball Closer News
- Washington Nationals closer Brad Hand has been mediocre this season despite a 1.59 ERA. His SIERA and xFIP are both above 5.00 and he is striking out as many as he is walking (4.1% K-BB%). I’d speculatively add Daniel Hudson before Tanner Rainey given how much better Hudson’s been this season along with his history in the role.
- Cleveland Indians closer Emmanuel Clase has looked much shakier than he did earlier in the season and is not striking out as many as some would hope given his triple-digit velocity. Clase still wins by preventing home runs and creating an ungodly amount of groundballs (75%), but the best reliever in baseball, James Karinchak, is breathing down his neck. Hold Clase given his plus peripherals, but don’t be shocked if this role is shared down the line.
