Drew Steckenrider is part of the Mariners relief triumvirate (with Paul Sewald and Diego Castillo) in which all three relievers have somehow managed to have significant value over the past month. Since the trade of Kendall Graveman to Houston, Steckenrider and Sewald have eight and six saves respectively, which places them each inside the top 23 save leaders over that period. Despite missing some time in August, Castillo still has six holds and two saves over that timespan, with three holds since Monday. While Steckenrider remains the slight favorite for saves, the law firm of Steckenrider, Sewald, and Castillo remain top 30 SV+HLD leagues options for the remainder of the season.
Notes
- The Phillies seem determined to ride Ian Kennedy until his arm falls off, as the 36-year-old threw a combined 62 pitches on Tuesday and Wednesday (30 and 32 pitches respectively). The team is still fighting for a playoff spot, so expect this kind of high usage through the end of the season. The team gets the Pirates this weekend, before ending with the Braves and Marlins.
- Despite not debuting this year until June, Seth Lugo is already up to 43.2 innings pitched in what has been a trying season for him and the Mets collectively. Despite a career-high Whiff rate (31.1%), Lugo’s K rate sits at just 27.4% (his lowest mark since 2018) while also having a career-high walk rate (10.2%). Assuming he remains in the Mets bullpen next season, I’d count on a bounce back from Lugo and as someone to target in holds leagues.
- Dominic Leone, pitching for the third straight day, was charged with a loss last night in the Giants extra-innings loss to the Padres. Leone has been excellent for the season as a whole and should share the closer role with Tyler Rogers for the remainder of the season (assuming Jake McGee doesn’t come back). While the Giants have clinched a playoff spot, they still have to fend off the Dodgers for the Division title, as they now have only a one-game lead.
- Giovanny Gallegos led all relievers with four saves (plus holds) this past week, and his 13 over the past 30 days is by far the most in baseball. In fact, fellow Cardinals Luis García and T.J. McFarland rank 2nd and 3rd with ten and nine respectively, giving Gallegos five more SV+HLD’s than any reliever on any other team over that timeframe.
| PITCHER | TIER | INJURY (EST. RETURN) |
|---|---|---|
| Jake McGee | 2/3 | Oblique |
| Andrew Kittredge | 3/4 | Neck |
| David Bednar | 3/4 | Oblique |
| Jonathan Loáisiga | 4/5 | Rotator Cuff |
| Ryan Tepera | 4/5 | Finger |
| Matt Wisler | 4/5 | Finger |
| Garrett Whitlock | 4/5 | Pectoral |
| Tanner Scott | 5/6 | Knee |
Photo by Joe Robbins/Icon Sportswire | Adapted by Justin Paradis (@JustParaDesigns on Twitter)