Fantasy Baseball Rankings: Relief Pitchers

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Francisco has been very good at shutting the door on opponents this year. He has only allowed one run in 20 innings and has yet to blow a save opportunity. He has had a few injuries though and is currently on the DL. He should return this weekend though and should be back in your lineup next week.

8. Andrew Bailey, Oakland Athletics – 4 W, 1 L, 5 SV, 3 BSV, 47 K, 16 BB, 2.52 ERA, 1.02 WHIP

Where did this guy come from? He wasn’t on any of my preseason boards and has come out and stolen the closer’s role from Brad Ziegler. He has blown a few saves but has cemented his role with five saves. He also has 47 strikeouts and four wins. He has been very good so keep him active while he’s hot.

9. David Aardsma, Seattle Mariners – 2 W, 2 L, 11 SV, 1 BSV, 34 K, 20 BB, 1.78 ERA, 1.22 WHIP

Aardsma’s role as the closer has been set in stone after Brandon Morrow returned to the rotation this past week. Aardsma has been good, converting 11 of 12 save chances. Now that he is officially the closer, you can feel free to keep him active, as he has been good enough to be a No. 2 fantasy closer.

10. Jonathan Papelbon, Boston Red Sox – 0 W, 1 L, 16 SV, 1 BSV, 30 K, 13 BB, 1.93 ERA, 1.32 WHIP

Papelbon has been very good to start the season. He has only blown one save and has 30 strikeouts in 28 innings. He is an obvious must-start as he's possibly the game’s best closer and an elite fantasy player.

11. Francisco Cordero, Cincinnati Reds – 0 W, 2 L, 15 SV, 1 BSV, 26 K, 10 BB, 2.00 ERA, 1.22 WHIP

Cordero has been pretty much what we expected him to be. He has 15 saves in 16 chances and 26 strikeouts in 27 innings. He is a must-start fantasy closer and should be kept active in all formats.

12. Rafael Soriano, Atlanta Braves – 1 W, 1 L, 5 SV, 1 BSV, 37 K, 11 BB, 1.52 ERA, 1.01 WHIP

Soriano is in an odd situation in Atlanta. Bobby Cox has said that he is going to use a two-closer system with Soriano and Mike Gonzalez. So, I can't predict when either is going to be called upon for a save opportunity. However, Soriano has been almost completely lights out, blowing only one save and striking out 37 in 30 innings. Go ahead and activate him because even if he doesn’t get saves, he will get strikeouts and the possible late-inning win or two.

13. Ryan Madson, Philadelphia Phillies – 2 W, 1 L, 4 SV, 1 BSV, 35 K, 9 BB, 1.95 ERA, 1.02 WHIP

Madson has been very good this year and hasn’t allowed a run since May 16^th. He is taking over the closer’s role while Brad Lidge is on the DL, but he will go back to a setup man when Lidge comes back. He will still get the occasional save or two but he will still be worth owning due to his strikeouts and win possibilities.

14. Mariano Rivera, New York Yankees – 1 W, 2 L, 14 SV, 1 BSV, 32 K, 3 BB, 3.38 ERA, 1.13 WHIP

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