ITP 154 - Where To Find Saves

The first week of the 2026 fantasy baseball season has exposed a wave of early-season chaos in bullpen roles, with several teams still undecided on their closers—creating rare opportunities for savvy managers to scoop up undervalued relievers. Jake Crumpler and Rick Graham dive deep into the most actionable bullpens, spotlighting under-the-radar names like Paul Seawald (Diamondbacks), Brian Baker (Rays), and Gregory Soto (Pirates) who are poised to deliver saves despite being overlooked. They warn against overreacting to early struggles, especially from relievers returning from the World Baseball Classic, whose command and velocity are still regressing after an irregular spring. The episode reveals a stark reality: the most valuable fantasy assets right now aren’t the established closers, but the role players in flux—particularly those on teams like Tampa Bay, Kansas City, and St. Louis where the bullpen structure is still being tested. The hosts emphasize that the key to success isn’t chasing hot starts, but identifying teams where the closer role is still up for grabs and acting before the rest of the league catches on.