Closers

The typical fantasy league has room for 2 starting pitcher (SP) slots, 2 relief pitcher (RP) slots, and 3 pitcher (P) slots for starters or relievers.

If you are trying to win saves then you should "max" out the number of closers on your team. Meaning, you should have 5 closers filling your 2 RP slots and 3 P slots on a nightly basis. Since starters don't start every day. Your 2 SP slots are likely enough to accomodate several starters as starters only start every 5th game and you can leave the ones not starting that day on your bench.

Since the standard league has 12 teams, there aren't enough closers to go around for everyone to have 5. A great source for keeping up to date with who has the closer job on each team is this website: http://www.scoutingbook.com/closers/?MLW133

In very competitive fantasy leagues, sometimes it is a good idea to keep backup closers (8th inning setup men) on your roster as their value can sky-rocket if the first string closer is injured or is demoted. For example, to start the season for the Chicago cubs as the closer is Kevein Gregg, but all experts agree that Carlos Marmol, the opening day setup man, will eventually win the job.

One one-of-a-kind closer is Seattle's Brandon Morrow. Morrow was named his team's closer just this past week after Seattle's manager decided to use Morrow as the closer instead of as a starter. Morrow is unique because he is the only closer in all of baseball with starting pitcher eligibility. Last year's early season example of a starter turned closer was John Smoltz until he was injured.

If Brandon Morrow is on your team, then you can use him in a SP slot on a nightly basis and fill your starting slots with a total of 6 closers. Closers typically have lower ERAs and WHIPs than starters, so maxing out your closers is a very good strategy for helping your ERA, WHIP, and, of course, your Saves.

Other pitchers, such as the Yankee's Joba Chamberlain have SP and RP eligibility. But since Joba is a starter this year and was a reliever last year, this dual elibigily can't be put to good use like Morrow's can.