We are already in the middle of September, at the end of a long season, and some veteran relievers (who have not been available all year as well) are showing some cracks as we near postseason play. Luke Weaver has really struggled in September with a 19.29 ERA and 3.43 WHIP and just a 20% strikeout rate. The velocity has actually been better than it’s been all year, but the command has not followed suit. The same goes for Blake Treinen, who has allowed eight runs (6 earned) over his past four innings of work, and has only managed one strikeout over that span while walking five.
David Robertson holds a 7.36 ERA and 1.64 WHIP in September, with just a 12.1% K-BB rate. This Phillies team needs someone to step up and be that eighth inning guy, and right now I’d almost be leaning towards Orion Kerkering in that role. Since the All-Star break (or since the infamous Coldplay “Kiss Cam” incident), Chris Martin has dealt with injuries and just hasn’t found the consistency we are used to with him. He’s been OK (3.68 ERA, 1.36 WHIP, 20.7% K rate) but not someone worth chasing in fantasy formats.
Notes
- Devin Williams and Griffin Jax have had rough seasons, especially based on their standards, but both have dealt with some horrible luck this year and can hopefully finish the year strong. Jax hasn’t allowed a run over his past six innings, striking out nine in the process, while Williams hasn’t allowed runs over his past five innings, striking out seven over that span. I’d expect more stretches like this next season, and the two should still be at the top of your draft list in SV+HLDs leagues.
- Brad Keller and Andrew Kittredge feel basically interchangeable at this point, and it seems the Cubs agree. Both have been dominant over the past month plus now. Add in lefty Caleb Thielbar, who has an ERA of 1.43 (2.76 SIERA), WHIP of 0.73, and a 27% strikeout rate since the beginning of May (44 IP). Even without Daniel Palencia, this Cubs bullpen will be tough to beat in the postseason.
- After hitting some rough sledding in early/mid-August, Phil Maton and Robert Garcia have really turned things around over the past month, and it’s a big reason why the Rangers have crawled their way back into playoff contention. Over his past 11.1 IP, Maton has been elite with a 1.59 ERA (1.23 xFIP), 0.79 WHIP, and 47.6% strikeout rate. Garcia doesn’t have the same kind of swing and miss stuff right now, but he hasn’t allowed an earned run over his past 13.1 IP.
- The Guardians have done more than crawl back into playoff contention; they’ve basically sprinted to this point. After losing nine times in a ten-game span back in mid-August, the Guardians have now gone on to win 11 of their last 12 games. Hunter Gaddis and Eric Sabrowski, as well as Matt Festa, have done a great job getting the ball to Cade Smith in the ninth, and if this team can find a way to slide into the postseason, this foursome at the back end would be a problem for opposing lineups.
