The high-leverage landscape shifts dramatically when a closer like Houston’s Josh Hader is placed on the 15-day injured list. Fantasy managers were alerted when the veteran closer didn’t warm up at the bottom of the eighth inning while his team was leading by one run against Boston. Post-game reports revealed he was experiencing shoulder discomfort, marking only the second time in his career he has been injured, the first being a COVID-19 designation in 2021.
Manager Joe Espada refrained from specifying defined roles, but with Bryan Abreu as the team’s healthiest top reliever, he is poised to handle most save opportunities moving forward. Abreu recorded his first save of the season on Wednesday and has yet to allow a run in six outings this August, with a 0.90 WHIP and five strikeouts over 6.2 innings. Bennett Sousa is also in contention for additional saves, having already secured four this year. However, to mitigate the loss of Hader, other relievers like Bryan King, Enyel De Los Santos, and Kaleb Ort need to step up.
Since joining the Tigers before the trade deadline, Kyle Finnegan saved in each of his first three appearances. In his last two outings, he shifted to the eighth inning, earning a hold and a win, while Will Vest is also back in the save picture. Manager A.J. Hinch is strategically matching pitchers based on matchups in late innings, keeping both vest and Finnegan relevant from a fantasy standpoint, though this fluidity may frustrate fantasy managers.
Consider these dynamics, and my leverage pathways have been revised. Here are the high-leverage pathway categorizations, with each team tagged accordingly:
- Mostly linear: This method follows a predictable path with designated relievers for each inning—one for the seventh, another for the eighth, and a closer for the ninth when rested.
- Primary save share: A team favors one reliever as the main save option, though they might also be used in matchup-based scenarios, supplying multiple pitchers with save opportunities throughout the season.
- Shared saves: Two relievers typically split save chances based on matchups, rest, and usage patterns, with potential for others to be involved for certain situations.
- In flux: The manager has not specified a closer, leaving usage patterns uncertain.
American League Leverage Pathways
| Team | Leverage Pathway | Closer (Primary) | Stopper/HLR | Stealth/Ancillary Option |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Various Entries | Shared Saves | Keegan Akin | Yennier Cano | Dietrich Enns |
Team Notes
Baltimore Orioles: Interim manager Tony Mansolino faces challenges with his bullpen. The team traded three veterans, and Félix Bautista is out for the season. Keegan Akin is now the primary ninth-inning option, but Dietrich Enns’ role should be monitored when Albert Suárez returns from his rehab.
Chicago White Sox: Usage patterns have been inconsistent under first-year manager Will Venable. Grant Taylor and Jordan Leasure both have four saves; however, Leasure has notably not allowed a run in six of his last seven outings since July 28.
New York Yankees: David Bednar has made a significant turn from a demotion to becoming the Yankees’ preferred closer, securing his first save on August 18.
National League Leverage Pathways
| Team | Leverage Pathway | Closer (Primary) | Stopper/HLR | Stealth/Ancillary Option |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Various Entries | Mostly Linear | Raisel Iglesias | Dylan Lee | Pierce Johnson |
Team Notes
Arizona Diamondbacks: Andrew Saalfrank not only recorded his first save but helped tie an MLB record with the most pitchers achieving at least one save for a team in a season.
Los Angeles Dodgers: Given the number of relievers on the injured list, could Bobby Miller be promoted? He has delivered five scoreless appearances in Triple A.
