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Fantasy baseball: 5 closers to add now to boost your team

ByAlvie Unglesbee|
Apr 29, 2023; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Tigers relief pitcher Alex Lange (55) celebrate after defeating the Baltimore Orioles at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 29, 2023; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Tigers relief pitcher Alex Lange (55) celebrate after defeating the Baltimore Orioles at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

There are always MLB closers who are available early in the season due to injuries or poor performance. Here are 5 guys that look like they have a chance to run away with the job for their teams and help your fantasy baseball team.

Fantasy baseball: 5 closers to add now

  • Brad Boxberger looks like the guy for the Chicago Cubs as he got the last save for them. Michael Fulmer started with the job but has been struggling. The Cubs are playing well and I expect Boxberger to hold the job as he’s had previous closing experience in addition to the great start.
  • Carlos Estevez, who was amazed by Shohei Ohtani early in camp, is now the guy for the Angels with the injury to Jose Quijada. He already has five saves and should continue to rack those up with the way he’s pitching. He has a stellar 1.42 ERA and 1.18 WHIP. Add him if he’s still available.
  • Will Smith looks to have taken the lead for saves in the Texas Rangers bullpen. It looked like he may split them with Jose Leclerc at the start of the season, but Smith has three saves and Leclerc has struggled with his command. Smith has plenty of closing experience and should continue to get the bulk of the save chances for Texas.
  • Alex Lange has taken control of the job for the Tigers. Detroit will go through tough stretches as a team where it’s difficult to get saves, but they win close games. Lange has shown dominant stuff so far with him, averaging a strikeout every inning. I expect him to keep the job as long as he’s on the team and healthy.
  • Brusdar Graterol just got his second save in the last week. Evan Phillips pitched the eighth inning, so it looks as if the job has shifted in favor of Graterol. The closer for the Dodgers is one of the best jobs to have, so grab him while you can. They had one closer there for a long time when it was Kenley Jansen, so it shouldn’t be a surprise to see one guy run away with the job.

Saves are an important category in fantasy baseball and jumping on a closer that looks like the lead guy to close out games can pay huge dividends to help gain those much-needed standings points. Grab these guys now before it’s too late!

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