Fantasy Baseball Closers Trending Up and Down

It's time to discuss some fantasy baseball relievers, specifically, closing pitchers.

Let's look at three closers trending up, and then three closers trending down. We will be looking at stats from the past two weeks to come up with our lists.

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Trending Up

Josh Hader - Houston Astros

Hader has five saves over the past two weeks. He also has two wins over his seven total appearances.

He has worked 6 1/3 innings in this stretch, and has not allowed a run. Hader has allowed only one hit, although he has walked seven batters. Hader has struck out 11 batters to work out of any trouble.

Hader got a late start to the season, but regained the closer role immediately after getting off the injured list. He's excelled as the closer again, and has re-established himself as one of the top fantasy closers in the game.

Those rostering Hader have to be happy with what he's done since returning, and especially of late. Hopefully those walks don't come back to bite him down the line, but with a strong career, I expect Hader to remain a top-end fantasy pitcher, so keep rostering him and enjoying whatever success he has.

Bryan Baker - Tampa Bay Rays

Baker has five saves over the past couple weeks as well. He's pitched in five games and worked five innings.

Baker has allowed a single run in that stretch, while giving up two hits and no walks. He has struck out five along the way.

He has emerged as the closer for Tampa Bay, which is a great thing considering that the Rays are a good team and win lots of close games. That makes Baker a pretty good fantasy asset.

He's not the big name other closers are, but Baker is delivering like a high-end fantasy closer right now. Add him in your league if you still can and ride with him as long as he's closing games and excelling for the Rays.

Baker could fall off in time, but that doesn't mean he doesn't deserve 100% ownership/utilization until that time comes.

Trevor Megill - Milwaukee Brewers

Megill has four saves over the past couple weeks. He's pitched a whopping seven times, covering seven innings.

He has not allowed a run in this stretch, and has given up four hits and two walks. Megill has struck out eight to work out of any trouble.

Megill was the team's closer at the start of the year, but lost the role for a little while. He's back as the No. 1 closer now, and is excelling. Milwaukee wins a ton of close games, so Megill is a very good fantasy asset.

Add him in more leagues and ride with Megill as long as he's excelling on the bump. You could look to sell him high in some leagues, but with some success in his past, I'd be happier to keep rostering/utilizing him.

Trending Down

Devin Williams - New York Mets

Williams has had a rough go of things over the past couple weeks. He has two saves in that span, but also has blown a save.

Williams has allowed six runs (three earned) on 10 hits and two walks. He has five strikeouts and has covered just 5 1/3 innings across six appearances.

Williams has been up and down as a fantasy asset since leaving Milwaukee a couple years ago. He's in another rough stretch right now, but he still looks to be the top option for saves for New York.

That could change at the trade deadline, but for now, Williams is a tough one to trust. He's droppable in standard fantasy leagues. I'd still hold him in deeper leagues, just maybe stay away from him if you can.

I expect better results from Williams going forward, so it's a point to also buy low on him, especially if you are desperate for fantasy relief/closer help.

Kenley Jansen - Detroit Tigers

Jansen has surrendered five runs (four earned) over his past four appearances.

He has a loss and just one save over the past couple weeks. Jansen has allowed four hits and two walks, while striking out just one batter over 3 2/3 innings.

Jansen is past his prime for sure, but is still capable of being a fantasy asset. He wasn't a great one early this season as the Tigers stumbled, but with Detroit winning more of late, that bumped Jansen's outlook a bit.

With the closer now struggling, he's not worth holding in all standard leagues, especially if you have other fantasy relievers to turn to. I'd be holding Jansen in deeper leagues yet, and maybe even trying to buy low on him, as better days are ahead.

For now, tread carefully with Jansen and only utilize him if you absolutely have to.

Pete Fairbanks - Miami Marlins

Fairbanks has given up five runs (four earned) over his past four outings. He has a save in that stretch, but luckily no blown saves or losses.

He's allowed seven hits and a walk, while striking out just four batters. Fairbanks has worked four innings over the past couple weeks.

Fairbanks had been trending up before that, so his up-and-down fantasy season continues. He's still worth owning/utilizing in deeper leagues, but if you can look elsewhere for fantasy relief/close help in standard leagues, I'd do it.

Keep tabs on Fairbanks, but he's only worth standard league utilization when he's pitching well, and when the Marlins are winning enough close games. That time is not now.