Welcome back to another edition of the “Buzz Around the Bullpen”. If you weren’t paying attention, Francisco Rodriguez made history Saturday night by recording his 58th save this season. With 14 games still remaining, K-Rod broke Bobby Thigpen’s record of 57 saves in a season which he set 18 years ago. If you consider that there is only 162 games in a season, it’s amazing that K-Rod was able to break the record with over ten games remaining. Although it is most impressive that he has been able to convert on 58 opportunities, there is something to be said about the amount of opportunities K-Rod has had this season. For a team that ran away with the division so early, its amazing the Angels had so many games that came down to a save situation.
Big Hits
Chad Qualls (RP, Arizona Diamondbacks): The D-Backs are trying to hold on any way they can. That’s why it was not much of a surprise when Bob Melvin named Chad Qualls his new closer with only two weeks left in the season. Now 4.5 games back from the divisional leading Los Angeles Dodgers, Bob Melvin is hoping that Qualls will add some consistency and stability to a bullpen that has been a mess of late. Qualls has been close to perfect since All-Star break. Since the break he has a 1.02 ERA and has held the opposition to zero runs in 17 or his last 18 appearances. I look for the D-Backs to be involved in some close games over the next two weeks and Qualls will definitely have an opportunity to convert on some save opportunities. Because Melvin just recently made the move, Qualls is still available in almost all leagues. There’s only two weeks left in the season so there is no use in waiting around to pick up a closer on a contending team.
Max Scherzer (SP, Arizona Diamondbacks): One of the guys that will hopefully be giving Chad Qualls some save opportunities is Max Scherzer. We talked about Scherzer early in the season and he responded by producing mediocre fantasy numbers. It seemed as though Scherzer struggled getting into a rhythm because he bounced between the bullpen and the starting rotation. However, Scherzer has now been moved permanently to the starting rotation. In Scherzer’s last start, he dominated the Dodgers for 5 innings by striking out 11 batters. Scherzer has a power arm and is a future superstar in this league. If you are in a keeper league and Scherzer is available, you should definitely grab him immediately. Even if you’re just looking for a pitcher down the stretch, Scherzer could potentially get three more starts before the end of the regular season.
David Price (RP/SP, Tampa Bay Rays): Price’s tour of the minor leagues was nothing short of dominating. Although the Rays were hesitant to move Price so quickly through their system, his performance has left them without any other option. The Rays will definitely monitor how many innings Price pitches and they are insisting that he will remain in the bullpen. However, with a double-header coming up this week, Price might sneak right in as a spot starter. My prediction is that Price will only get one start. If you’re not in a keeper league, it might not be worth picking him up unless you are in desperate need of a starter. However, if you are in a keeper league and Price is still somehow available, make a move right now.
Big Miss
Armando Galarraga (SP, Detroit Tigers): Galarraga was a nice fantasy surprise for his owners this season. However, it seems as though Galarraga has finished his season a couple weeks too early. Over the course of his last four starts, Gallaraga has been getting hit around much more and it is reflecting in the win-loss column. Gallaraga is winless in his last four starts and it might be that Gallaraga has a case of “dead arm”. Anytime a pitcher surpasses his career high in innings pitched, there is no telling how a pitcher’s performance will suffer. It is my guess that Gallaraga will continue to struggle over the next two weeks. Although he was a consistent performer for your squad this summer, it’s time to shut Gallaraga down as a viable option in your starting rotation.
As with any SportsJudge articles, please feel free to post any questions or comments. Until next time, keep your ears open for the Buzz Around the Bullpen.
Big Hits
Chad Qualls (RP, Arizona Diamondbacks): The D-Backs are trying to hold on any way they can. That’s why it was not much of a surprise when Bob Melvin named Chad Qualls his new closer with only two weeks left in the season. Now 4.5 games back from the divisional leading Los Angeles Dodgers, Bob Melvin is hoping that Qualls will add some consistency and stability to a bullpen that has been a mess of late. Qualls has been close to perfect since All-Star break. Since the break he has a 1.02 ERA and has held the opposition to zero runs in 17 or his last 18 appearances. I look for the D-Backs to be involved in some close games over the next two weeks and Qualls will definitely have an opportunity to convert on some save opportunities. Because Melvin just recently made the move, Qualls is still available in almost all leagues. There’s only two weeks left in the season so there is no use in waiting around to pick up a closer on a contending team.
Max Scherzer (SP, Arizona Diamondbacks): One of the guys that will hopefully be giving Chad Qualls some save opportunities is Max Scherzer. We talked about Scherzer early in the season and he responded by producing mediocre fantasy numbers. It seemed as though Scherzer struggled getting into a rhythm because he bounced between the bullpen and the starting rotation. However, Scherzer has now been moved permanently to the starting rotation. In Scherzer’s last start, he dominated the Dodgers for 5 innings by striking out 11 batters. Scherzer has a power arm and is a future superstar in this league. If you are in a keeper league and Scherzer is available, you should definitely grab him immediately. Even if you’re just looking for a pitcher down the stretch, Scherzer could potentially get three more starts before the end of the regular season.
David Price (RP/SP, Tampa Bay Rays): Price’s tour of the minor leagues was nothing short of dominating. Although the Rays were hesitant to move Price so quickly through their system, his performance has left them without any other option. The Rays will definitely monitor how many innings Price pitches and they are insisting that he will remain in the bullpen. However, with a double-header coming up this week, Price might sneak right in as a spot starter. My prediction is that Price will only get one start. If you’re not in a keeper league, it might not be worth picking him up unless you are in desperate need of a starter. However, if you are in a keeper league and Price is still somehow available, make a move right now.
Big Miss
Armando Galarraga (SP, Detroit Tigers): Galarraga was a nice fantasy surprise for his owners this season. However, it seems as though Galarraga has finished his season a couple weeks too early. Over the course of his last four starts, Gallaraga has been getting hit around much more and it is reflecting in the win-loss column. Gallaraga is winless in his last four starts and it might be that Gallaraga has a case of “dead arm”. Anytime a pitcher surpasses his career high in innings pitched, there is no telling how a pitcher’s performance will suffer. It is my guess that Gallaraga will continue to struggle over the next two weeks. Although he was a consistent performer for your squad this summer, it’s time to shut Gallaraga down as a viable option in your starting rotation.
As with any SportsJudge articles, please feel free to post any questions or comments. Until next time, keep your ears open for the Buzz Around the Bullpen.
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