Read on for The Game Day’s Week 9 Fantasy Closers: Depth Chart News, Saves Tips & Baseball Bullpen Report. See which MLB relief pitchers are locked into save chances and which are in jeopardy with their job security. Keeping up with bullpen depth charts is vital for fantasy baseball teams, so identifying 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 9 Fantasy Baseball Closers: Depth Chart News, Saves Tips & Bullpen Report
Kansas City Royals
- Committee (?): Kyle Zimmer, Josh Staumont
Kyle Zimmer‘s recent activation from the injured list has thrown a monkey wrench in Kansas City’s bullpen. Josh Staumont seemed solidified in the closer role after starting the season well, but that may no longer be the case given his 6.48 ERA in May. His high walk rate (5.0 BB/9) has started to catch up with him, and his 10.4 K/9 rate is disappointing considering how hard he throws.
Given Staumont’s recent struggles, Zimmer is absolutely worth adding given his superior peripheral numbers. Zimmer got the most recent save opportunity on Tuesday when Staumont was fully rested and ready to go, so this is definitely a situation to monitor going forward. If Zimmer starts collecting saves on a regular basis, feel free to drop Staumont.
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Detroit Tigers
- Closer: Michael Fulmer
- Backups: Gregory Soto, Jose Cisnero
After injuries derailed Michael Fulmer‘s career as a starter, he has remade himself as a closer. The former All-Star has excelled since moving to the ‘pen full-time in early May, notching 4 saves and 10 strikeouts across 10 innings with just 1 walk and 1 home run allowed.
The Tigers are not a good team, but with 162 games in a season you do win every now and then. Also with bad teams, their victories typically have narrow margins because they rarely blow out opponents. Accordingly, Fulmer should continue to see his share of save opportunities moving forward, with Gregory Soto sniping the occasional save chance when dangerous lefties are due up.
More Fantasy Baseball Closer News
- The Toronto Blue Jays’ closer carousel remains unclear, but I’m still extremely bullish on Jordan Romano. He only has 1 save this year but has been their most dominant late-inning reliever. Tyler Chatwood has been excellent as well, but he has more value in the middle innings given his history as a starter. Rafael Dolis is the biggest hurdle, but he’s looked terrible in May with 5 earned runs, 5 hits, and 5 walks in just 4 2/3 innings and may move to lower-leverage situations as a result.
Jordan Romano over the past month (aka since returning from IL)
13 IP, 5 hits, 4 BB, 2 ER, 0 HR, 19 K with 6 of those Ks over the past 2 IP 💥
— kev mahserejian (@RotoSurgeon) May 26, 2021
- Baltimore Orioles closer César Valdez has not converted a save since May 10th and has been lit up for 12 hits and 6 earned runs over his last five appearances. Keep an eye on Paul Fry, who has a 2.48 ERA and a 12.4 K/9 rate since the start of 2020.
