Fantasy Baseball: Middle Relivers Can Win!

If you're sweating out the fantasy baseball season like I am, then chances are you've been taking a look at how to improve. The problem? Most anyone worth taking a chance on has already been swept of the wire.

Except middle relievers.

Readers of this blog can probably recall a time (or eight) when I've decried the absence of middle relievers on so many teams. Often, dominant middle relievers give a good source of ERA, WHIP, a good K/BB ratio and K/IP rate, and sometimes they pick up the occasional save or win. (Disclaimer: If your league counts holds, then you already know everything I'm going to say about why these guys are good)

Many fantasy experts subscribe to the use-a-middle-reliever-combo theory. Basically, instead of getting a fringe starter to use, get two great middle relievers, and over the course of a season, you'll greatly benefit. For example:

Player A: 0-2 record, 5 SV, 1.48 ERA in 48.2 IP, 1.13 WHIP, 41 Ks

Player B: 3-3 record, 1 SV, 1.68 ERA in 48.1 IP, 0.85 WHIP, 41 Ks

Player C: 9-8 record, 0 SV, 5.74 ERA in 125.1 IP, 1.53 WHIP, 107 Ks

As you've probably guessed, the first two are middle relievers, the third is a starter. And yes, I've used this example before, just with different players.

So, total, with two middle relievers, you'd have a 3-5 record, 6 SV, roughly a 1.58 ERA, 1.01 WHIP, and 82 Ks in 96 IP. That's a pretty good stat line, no?

Who are these stud nobodies? Let's take a look:

Scott Downs is Player A. Pitching as a critical set-up man for the Toronto Blue Jays, he filled in as the closer for a couple of weeks while B.J. Ryan rehabbed, and he notched those saves.

Taylor Buchholz is Player B. What? Yes, another Colorado pitcher is useful, though this year they've had a few of those. For a while, it looked like this guy would take over the closer spot for the Rockies, but the Corpas/Fuentes battle kept him out of it. Still, he's been great for them late.

Brad Ziegler is probably a name you've never heard of, unless you're an Oakland fan. In 27 innings pitched, Ziegler has yet to give up a run. In fact, the Associated Press reports this is a record number of IP to begin a MLB career without giving up a run. Get a part of history while you can!

Averaging just under a strikeout per inning, Jose Arredondo has been a pleasant surprise for one of the best bullpens in baseball, which resides in Anaheim. Getting great pitchers on great teams is always good.

Following that thought, on the Phillies is Chad Durbin, who in 58 IP has a 1.71 ERA, a 1.16 WHIP, and 49 strikeouts. He'll be used a lot down the stretch.

Some other quality names:
Ron Mahay- Has 5 wins, sub-2 ERA/WHIP
Jim Johnson- Not a lot of Ks, but otherwise good
Jesse Carlson- 3-1 record, over 1 K/IP
Hong-Chih Kuo- Converted starter, now a long reliever, 71 Ks in 59 IP, WHIP is under 1.

Oh, and Player C? That'd be Bronson Arroyo. Now you can do better than him and those similar, probably even in deeper leagues.