Something sure seems to be amiss with Cincinnati Reds right-hander Raisel Iglesias, as he surrendered a game-winning home run to Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Joc Pederson on Monday night and has now registered a loss in half of his six appearances. Iglesias also has saves in two of those games, and while it was reasonable to question his precise role as the team's sole closer a month ago because manager David Bell said as much, now we wonder if Iglesias loses save opportunities due to ineffectiveness. He has permitted a pair of home runs in 6 2/3 innings and his WHIP is 1.95.
The only other relief pitcher
I think Iglesias is still the Cincinnati closer, partly because Bell should know better than to overreact, and numbers should improve. Velocity is barely down. His slider has retained movement. Ground ball rate should rise. It is not as if Pederson has struggled to find his April power. He hit a slider that stayed up in the zone, and it went 384 feet. Stuff happens. We just notice it more with so few appearances. If you roster Iglesias, continue to do so and try not to panic.
Sure, a month ago, it was reasonable to believe right-handers David Hernandez and Jared Hughes -- in some order -- would save games if Iglesias pitched in the seventh and eighth innings. Each was terrific last season; Iglesias posted a 2.0 bWAR and Hughes was among the relief leaders at 3.3. Hernandez is pitching earlier in games, so he seems out of save consideration. Watch right-hander Robert Stephenson, though; only four of 32 batters faced have reached base so far (0.42 WHIP), as relieving appears to agree with him more than starting. Still, I predict Iglesias ends up with a similar season to the previous two, and that should work for us.
-- As for Philly's Robertson and his minor forearm strain, the team does not appear to be worried. Robertson was an attractive signing because of his numbers, one of which was a decade of 60 or more appearances and 60 or more innings. That can still happen. Robertson can still save 20 games, too. I take the under on any Phillies pitcher saving that many, however. This should be shared. Hector Neris belongs on as many fantasy rosters as Robertson and Seranthony Dominguez.
-- Those panicking about Colorado Rockies right-hander Wade Davis saving nary a game: He finally got one on Monday. Stop complaining. There should be 35 more. The Royals lead the way with six blown saves, followed by the Pirates at five. Boston and the Angels have blown no saves.
-- The latest on Boston indicates it could still be either Matt Barnes or Ryan Brasier for late-inning work. On Sunday, Brasier set up Barnes, but the 1-0 lead became a 4-0 lead so there was no Barnes save. Try to keep each rostered. I think each can provide general reliever value -- sub-3.00 ERA, 80 Ks -- sans saves.
-- I remarked on a recent Fantasy Focus Baseball podcast -- yes, we actually do still record on Mondays and Thursdays, so find it in the ESPN App or Apple Podcasts -- that San Diego Padres closer Kirby Yates could be this season's Edwin Diaz. Diaz saved 57 games a year ago, a figure topped once in history. Yates is off to a great start. The Padres should win more than they lose, like last season's Mariners, but they are not an offensive juggernaut. Thus, many save chances. OK, how about 50 Yates saves? Sure!
-- Milwaukee Brewers right-hander Jeremy Jeffress just has to stay healthy to save 25 games this season, more than lefty Josh Hader. Yes, I believe that. It is no affront to Hader. Each can be a top-10 fantasy closer.
-- Eighteen pitchers have saved four or more games. Shane Greene and Jose Alvarado are the only ones who have yet to permit any runs, earned or not. How about that! I also cannot say that either is an obvious trade option.
-- I am giving up on rostering a Marlins relief pitcher. Perhaps Sergio Romo or Adam Conley will still save 20 games, but it seems unlikely.
-- Ignore Atlanta Braves lefty A.J. Minter on your waiver wire at your peril, but even if right-hander Arodys Vizcaino comes off the injured list next weekend, it seems unlikely his shoulder issues suddenly dissipate. This should last all season. I do not know where Craig Kimbrel ends up, but this seems like as good a spot as any.
Monday recap
Box scores
Highlights:
• Christian Yelich, OF, Milwaukee Brewers: 3-for-4, 3 HR, 7 RBI
• Jose Ramirez, 2B/3B, Cleveland Indians: 1-for-3, HR, 2 SB
• Dwight Smith Jr., OF, Baltimore Orioles: 2-for-5, HR, 4 RBI
• Clayton Kershaw, SP, Los Angeles Dodgers: 7 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, 0 BB, 6 K
• Trevor Bauer, SP, Cleveland Indians: 6 2/3 IP, 5 H, 1 ER, 3 BB, 8 K
Lowlights:
• Travis Shaw, 2B/3B, Milwaukee Brewers: 0-for-5, 3 K
• Rhys Hoskins, 1B/OF, Philadelphia Phillies: 0-for-5, 4 K
• Dakota Hudson, SP/RP, St. Louis Cardinals: 3 2/3 IP, 8 H, 6 ER, 3 BB, 3 K
• Aaron Nola, SP, Philadelphia Phillies: 4 IP, 7 H, 5 ER, 3 BB, 6 K
• Trevor Richards, SP, Miami Marlins: 4 2/3 IP, 4 H, 5 ER, 4 BB, 3 K
Monday takeaways
Jose Ramirez (4) off LHP Yusei Kikuchi (7) - 105.3 mph, 33 degrees (401 ft Home Run)
90.5 mph Four-Seamer#Indians @ #Mariners (T3) pic.twitter.com/Uh8yJD3Hc5- MLBBarrelAlert (@MLBBarrelAlert) April 16, 2019
• Well, it is about time! Ramirez was a consensus top-five fantasy pick who entered Monday hitting .140 with nary a home run in 15 games and a mere two walks in 63 PA. This comes after a terrible final 52 games of last season when he hit .210 with a large drop in exit velocity. One night does not fix everything, but Ramirez raised his OPS from .373 to .462; last year his final OBP was .387, his slugging .552. Things should keep improving as the Cleveland offense improves, though. Francisco Lindor will return. Carlos Gonzalez was an upgrade. Ramirez walked twice and stole two bases. At least he does not appear to be hurt.
• A pair of catchers led off in Monday's action, which is so rare I cannot find evidence it happened ever twice on the same day. The Minnesota Twins went with Mitch Garver, the Cincinnati Reds with Curt Casali. Neither did much, but it was interesting that Casali, a right-handed hitter, was the first to face the lefty Kershaw this season. Kershaw permitted a Yasiel Puig homer in the first inning because of course Puig would make his return to Los Angeles in that way. But that was it. The Reds did not score again off Kershaw. His velocity did not impress, but his command did, and he threw first-pitch strikes to 18 of 24 hitters. None of it means he will stay healthy for 25-plus starts, but his value in the fantasy trade market rose. Not to be negative or pessimistic, but it might fall again after he faces the Brewers this weekend. Monday's outing was a gift if you want to trade him. As for the catchers, whenever a catcher leads off I make it a point to (re)consider him in DFS formats. You want players leading off. In fantasy, however, it means little.
• I chose Rockies first baseman/outfielder Ian Desmond late in several drafts because a 20/20 option, even one who cannot hit .250, should fall only so far in value. Desmond was horrible the first few weeks. I resisted dumping him but did not leave him active where applicable. On Monday, he homered and doubled. The Rockies are at home later this week for four games against the Phillies, but that rotation is right-handed. I still think Desmond can get to 20/20, so yes, buy low.
• It is a bit tough to watch Brewers right-hander Freddy Peralta, as the bad outings look super bad. He throws nearly all fastballs, and they are not Hader fastballs, either. Peralta has not completed four innings in three of four starts. I think it is time to move on. With Corbin Burnes, allowing three home runs per outing, I wait a bit longer.
Health report
• Los Angeles Angels hitter/pitcher Shohei Ohtani underwent Tommy John surgery after last season, so he will not pitch in 2019, but he can hit and was cleared on Monday to do so. Hitting will not alter the progress on his throwing elbow. The Angels could use the offense, but will they really sit Albert Pujols or, perhaps worse yet, play him at first base and sit Justin Bour? Things will be interesting. Ohtani can rake, though, so if he is out there in your league, it is possible there is a 25-homer option lurking for May activation.
• Angels star outfielder Mike Trout (groin) returned to action Monday and drew a few walks, scored a few runs. Perhaps he remains physically compromised -- I am sure of it -- but he played and helped his team and fantasy teams. Just be prepared for a lack of stolen bases the rest of the month.
• Brewers outfielder Ryan Braun can still rake as well, at least somewhat, but he is dealing with a back injury and missed his second consecutive game. Ben Gamel replaced him. Nobody thought Braun would play in 140 games anyway, so take the good with the bad. An injured list stint seems like a 50-50 bet at some point soon, for this malady or something else.
W2W4
• Pittsburgh Pirates right-hander Joe Musgrove, the last qualified starting pitcher to permit nary an earned run this season, puts his excellence on the line at Detroit. He faces lefty Matthew Boyd, who is also intriguing. If choosing, fantasy managers should go with Musgrove, but that ERA might settle in the 3.50 range. That would work for us. Watch to see if Tigers outfielder Nicholas Castellanos, a key bat in the middle of a sad lineup, plays through a toe injury.
• I like Marlins right-hander Pablo Lopez, but so far the numbers do not justify any positivity. Lopez faces the Chicago Cubs at home and it would be nice to see more than 5 1/3 innings in an outing. The strikeouts are there. He has issued only two walks. I benched Lopez in a few leagues but retain the investment for things should improve. I also roster Royals right-hander Jorge Lopez, unrelated, in a few places (deep leagues) and like him a bit against the other Chicago team.
Most recent KaraBlogs
Monday, April 15: Weekend wrap, Clayton Kershaw value
Thursday, April 11: Free agents to get, including Dansby Swanson
Wednesday, April 10: Extra-base hit strugglers, Tommy Pham, Eloy Jimenez
Tuesday, April 9: Closer report, underrated Shane Greene
Monday, April 8: Weekend wrap, Gary Sanchez injury