Here are the latest fantasy baseball closer updates from the past week of action.
A week removed from the wild 2021 MLB trade deadline, Kev Mahserejian looks at the fantasy baseball pictures as it pertains to closers around the league.
Which reliever should get your confidence for saves in the closing months of the fantasy baseball season?
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Week 21 Fantasy Baseball Closers: Depth Chart News, Saves Tips & Bullpen Report
Atlanta Braves
- Closer: Will Smith
- Backups: Richard Rodriguez, Chris Martin, Luke Jackson
Will Smith has absolutely not been getting jiggy with it. He’s blown saves in two of his last three attempts and allowed 5 runs between those outings. Unfortunately, Smith’s ERA is regressing to his peripherals, which aren’t terrible, but merely represent a decent closing option.
Atlanta made the active choice to acquire Pirates’ closer Richard Rodriguez at the trade deadline and have utilized him as a set-up man. Rodriguez has not given up a run in 7 innings since joining Atlanta, but his peripherals are even worse than Smith’s.
Chris Martin closed his first game of the season on Sunday, but that was likely due to Smith pitching three of the past four days. Rodriguez was called earlier in the game to pitch Atlanta out of a jam.
Nevertheless, given Smith’s skid, it would be shocking to see him usurped for the role by either Martin or Rodriguez. My money would be on Rodriguez given his success in that role and clean tenure thus far in Atlanta.
- Check out our Fantasy Baseball Closer Rankings and Depth Charts.
New York Yankees
- Closer: Zack Britton
- Backups: Aroldis Chapman (IL), Jonathan Loaisiga, Chad Green
Aroldis Chapman is still out with an elbow issue, leaving the Yankees to utilize a medley of relievers in the 9th inning. Chad Green has 3 saves on the season and Jonathan Loaisiga has 4. Both are threats to steal saves, but the team is very religious with keeping one guy in the role when they are effective enough.
Zack Britton closed in Chapman’s absence last season, but has been mostly disappointing since a preseason injury held him out for several months. Britton notched his first save of the season on Wednesday, which could be a positive sign on his end for things to come.
Chapman likely takes over the role upon return, but until then, Britton is the guy as long as he is on the mend. The past nine outings for Britton have been very positive, and while he is a far cry from the elite Britton of old, this version is still a very good reliever despite the year-long stats showing otherwise.
