Call to the Bullpen: Fantasy Playoff Stretch Run Edition

Call to the Bullpen is a regular feature that goes through every bullpen in baseball, and tells you, the fantasy players, which relievers are worth speculative or immediate adds to your team.  Saves are invaluable in fantasy baseball, and this column will be on top of every closer situation.

AL East:

Yankees: Can you envision any scenario where Mariano Rivera is moved from the big chair?

Red Sox: In 50.2 IP, Jonathan Papelbon has only walked eight batters. He hasn't allowed a run since July 16 and only has one blown save on the year (way back in May against the Twins). He'll get a hefty contract in the offseason but until then he's the guy in Boston.

Rays: Bryan wrote before that Kyle Farnsworth has been dominant and the only thing that could derail his fantasy value would be a trade. Well that didn't happen and Farnsworth is still chugging along.

Blue Jays: Since we last visited the Blue Jays it looked like Jon Rauch had taken the reigns of the closing gig. Then he had an appendectomy on the 16th and now it looks like we'll soon see a return to the Frank Francisco experience. I wouldn't pin my championship hopes on either guy at this point but saves are saves.

Orioles: This situation is a mess. Kevin Gregg took an 8-1 lead on August 14 and turned in a 0.0 IP, 4 ER, 2 BB performance to make the game a save situation for Jim Johnson. Since then the Orioles haven't had a save situation but watch it carefully if you're desperate for saves.

AL Central

White Sox: Just when you think Sergio Santos is cruising along, Ozzie Guillen has Chris Sale close out game. Sale has two saves this month to Santos' three and this led to Santos, Guillen, and pitching coach Don Cooper having a sit-down meeting to clarify just what his status is. Sale will be moved to the rotation next year so it won't be a long term problem but this could be a scenario where it's a 60/40 split in favor of Santos the rest of the year with Sale facing team's best lefties.

Twins: While he isn't the Joe Nathan of old, he is the unquestioned closer in Minnesota.

Indians: When Bryan checked on Chris Perez he was 22 SV to 2 BS. Now he's at 26 SV and 3 BS. The K/BB ratio is worrisome (28/22) but he gets the job done.

Tigers: Jose Valverde and his crazy dances have this one locked up. Fun fact: he hasn't blown a save all year.

Royals: Joakim Soria wasn't traded so he's still the guy in KC.

AL West

Rangers: Neftali Feliz has been very good as of late but he does have Mike Adams and Koji Uehara looking over his shoulder. Next year will be interesting as I'm sure the Feliz-to-the-rotation rumblings will be rekindled now that the Rangers have viable options behind him. For the rest of the year it's Feliz's job to lose but if he should stumble, Adams is the handcuff (one earned run in 8.1 IP since coming over from San Diego).

Mariners: Brandon League. Enough said.

Athletics: Andrew Bailey was dangled in trade rumors but that never materialized. No one wants to go back to the Brian Fuentes experience, trust me.

Angels: Jordan Walden blew his eighth save on Sunday but he will be the closer for the Angels for the rest of the year. 

NL East

Mets: Jason Isringhausen got his 300th save and now the Mets want to see what Bobby Parnell can do. Though Parnell doesn't really have anything that leaps out at you, there is one number in his favor: 97. That's what his fastball clocks in at.

Braves: I am envious of Braves fans who have Jonny Venters in the eighth and Craig Kimbrel in the ninth. Kimbrel is the unquestioned closer and that's for one major reason: 94 Ks in 59.2 IP. When you have a guy who is a legitimate threat to strikeout the side every time out and doesn't have control issues (more on that in a few) you have something special. Scott Pianowski of Yahoo! Sports ranked Kimbrel as his top closer for fantasy purposes and I have to agree.

Nationals: Drew Storen has been great. Tyler Clippard may be the better pitcher, but Storen is the closer.

Marlins: Leo Nunez wasn't traded at the deadline and this is still his job. The Marlins would be well-served to trade him in the offseason, though.

Phillies: Ryan Madson has a firm grip on the closing gig in Philadelphia. The years of "Brad Lidge is my closer, and closers close games" are an afterthought. Madson is set to be a free agent in the offseason and if he bolts, look for Antonio Bastardo to step in next year.

NL Central

Cubs: I talked about control issues and this right here is what I was talking about. Carlos Marmol has 73 Ks in 57.1 IP but when he blows saves, he blows them in spectacular fashion (take a gander at this from Tuesday). If Marmol is shut down (his velocity is down and some are saying he may need some extra rest) then Kerry Wood would step in to close.

Cardinals: Even with the blown save on Tuesday, this is Fernando Salas' job. Mitchell Boggs and Kyle McClellan are the names to monitor but don't count on either taking the job from Salas. 

Astros: Has Mark Melancon imploded yet? No? Oh, well then he's Houston's closer.

Pirates: Joel Hanrahan. Next.

Reds: Francisco Cordero has a long leash in Cincinatti. I can't see anyone taking the job from him for the rest of the year.

Brewers: John Axford leads the league in saves. Francisco Rodriguez may be the second best setup man in baseball behind Jonny Venters in Atlanta. K-Rod may poach some saves as the season winds down, but Axford is the Brew Crew's unquestioned closer.

NL West

Dodgers: Javy Guerra is in no danger of losing his job.

Giants: Brian Wilson is definitely San Francisco's closer but he is dealing with elbow inflammation. The Beard visited Dr. James Andrews and was told to rest. Wilson owners who are looking for a handcuff may consider Sergio Romo (who is currently on the DL with elbow inflammation himself, but may come off on the 25th) or Ramon Ramirez (who actually got the Giants' last save).

Diamondbacks: J.J. Putz may not be the dominant strikeout machine he was in Seattle but he is one of baseball's best closers on the year. If he can stay healthy he'll finish as one of the best in baseball, but if he gets nicked up immediately rush out and grab David Hernandez.

Rockies: This may shock you, but Huston Street is injured (again). Set-up man Matt Lindstrom is also injured (another surprise, I'm sure). That leaves Rafael Betancourt and his thousand years between pitches to close. Betancourt has been pretty good this year but Street can come back as early as August 24th. Grab Betancourt anyway, though, because there's no guarantee that Street or Lindstrom are healthy the rest of the year.

Padres: Remember when this was the most interesting situation at the trade deadline? Now it's arguably the biggest lock in baseball. Heath Bell is the Padres' closer for the rest of the year and we'll have to see if he is brought back next year by the team.