Fantasy Baseball Closer Report: 3 Relievers Trending Up, 3 Trending Down

Let's now discuss some fantasy baseball closers, looking at pitchers trending up and down of late.

We'll look at stats since July 23, which was our last closer update. We have three closers for each section, so let's dive right into things.

Explore the best in-season tool to manage lineup/start decisions including waiver pickups, projections, trade suggestions, trade value charts, rest of season rankings, power rankings, and tons more with Fantasy Assistant.

Trending Up

David Bednar - New York Yankees

Over the timeframe we are using, Bednar leads the MLB with seven saves. Over seven innings and seven appearances, he's allowed just two runs on three hits and two walks.

He has no wins or losses over that span obviously, and has nine strikeouts, so he's been a pretty good fantasy option.

New York is winning enough to support him, and he's not given fantasy managers many reasons not to trust him this season. Expect big things from Bednar down the stretch.

Bryan Baker - Tampa Bay Rays

Baker has six saves over his past six appearances. He's not allowed a run over six innings, while surrendering two hits and three walks.

He only has six strikeouts over the timeframe we are discussing, but he makes up for less Ks with no runs allowed, and barely any baserunners. Baker has been a pretty good fantasy asset most of the season, and I'd expect that to continue.

Tampa Bay is winning enough, and usually are in tight games, so that benefits Baker and his fantasy value. Take advantage of that and utilize Baker down the stretch of the fantasy season.

Louis Varland - Toronto Blue Jays

Varland is part of a big group of closers with four saves over the timeframe we are using. Varland has worked the most innings (7 2/3) over that stretch, so he gets the nod for this article.

Varland is 1-1 over his seven appearances. He does have a blown save in there, but also has struck out six batters. He's allowed six runs, but three of those were unearned. Varland surrendered eight hits and three walks in those outings.

Some might argue he's trending down, but with a good amount of saves and a 3.52 earned run average, plus a lot of innings pitched, I say he's trending up. He's pitched well most of the year, so expect a better ERA down the stretch, and if he keeps pitching this much, that just adds more fantasy value to his name.

Trending Down

Paul Sewald - Arizona Diamondbacks

Sewald had been the D-Backs' closer for most of the season, but that's changed of late. He has allowed eight runs over his past five appearances, and has just one save in that timeframe.

Sewald has surrendered eight hits, and while he hasn't walked anyone, him allowing three home runs and only striking out a pair has decimated his fantasy value, and his role.

He's lost the closer role it appears, so he's droppable in more redraft leagues. We'll see if he can ever earn that role back, but for now, look elsewhere for fantasy closer help. 

Jacob Latz - Texas Rangers

Latz has two saves over the past couple weeks, but also a 6.75 ERA. He's 1-0 and has a blown save over his four appearances.

He's allowed three runs (four total) on five hits and a walk. Latz has four strikeouts over that stretch. So it's not been terrible for Latz of late, but a lack of appearances has some of his numbers inflated.

Latz has been a pretty good fantasy closer since taking over that role in Texas, but he's regressing a bit of late. He appears to still have the closer role locked up, but Texas needs to start winning more close games to boost Latz's fantasy value back up again.

Jhoan Duran - Philadelphia Phillies

Duran is usually a top-end fantasy closer, and with Philly playing pretty well of late, you'd expect Duran to be excelling. Instead, he's 0-1 with just one save over the timeframe we are using.

He has a blown save over his six appearances in that stretch. Duran has pitched 5 1/3 innings, allowing three runs on seven hits. He has seven strikeouts and hasn't walked a batter in that stretch.

It's likely just a blip in the road for Duran, and I expect him to be a high-end fantasy reliever the rest of the season. If he becomes available in your league, jump all over that and add Duran and hope he regains his top-end fantasy value soon.