Paul’s Call to the ‘Pen: September 24 – Holds Edition

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  • By Paul Williamson

    Last Updated on September 24, 2025 4:54 pm by Paul Williamson | Published: September 24, 2025

    First, let me repeat what I said last week –

    First, in head-to-head playoffs, start your week like normal.

    But if you get to Friday and you are way behind/ahead in Ks and Ws, consider going reliever heavy for the weekend to help lockup your ratios and win the saves/holds category (of course keeping an eye on those innings pitch minimums or start minimums.).

    If you are in a roto league – check those category rankings! If you’re not in a competitive race for wins or Ks, why don’t you drop most, if not all your starters, for all relievers (by now you should have already met or are  real close to hitting a season-long innings minimum) and move up the saves and/or holds category for more roto points? This also could help keep your ratios stable as other managers throw starts up on the wall and may let you pass them as they try to get Ks/Ws.

    Just keep an eye on the categories, y’all. Don’t chase stats that you don’t need!!!

    For the final Call to the ‘Pen of 2025, I am going to do something different as I will look to revamp the article for 2026.

    First change – I will break it up between saves and holds with two different articles. This piece will focus on the setup men (holds).

    The saves portion of the article came out Tuesday.

    Next – Instead of going team-by-team, I will rank names in the following tiers –

    Must-roster – They should be rostered in all leagues.

    Solid play – They are 12-team viable

    Fringe-play – I would only roster them in 12-team leagues if I was starved for saves or holds

    Deep league play – I’m only using them in deeper than 12-team leagues

    Dart throw – Are you desperate?

    NOTE – All stats in article are through Tuesday, September 23.

    MUST ROSTER

    Bryan King – HOU – Has 0.00 ERA over last 11 appearances

    Seranthony Dominguez – TOR – is pitching the best of all high-leverage arms with 1.86 ERA over last 11 games.

    Jared Koenig – MIL – 1.64 ERA over last 10, favorite to setup Uribe

    Brad Keller – CHC – sometimes gets the ninth, 0.93 ERA over last 11, a top high-leverage arm for a top team

    Andrew Kittredge – CHC – will he get pushed off the ninth for Daniel Palencia? Either way, is a holds league play.

    Ryan Thompson – ARI – Don’t look now but the D’backs are not out of it and Thompson is the preferred setup man to a committee.

    Andrew Saalfrank – ARI – most likely to get the ninth, but gets plenty of holds as well.

    Alex Vesia – LAD – best performing high-leverage arm for the Dodgers right now

    Jack Dreyer – LAD – Has been shown trust in late-inning spots lately

    Hunter Gaddis – CLE – top setup dude for the surging Guards, 3.27 ERA in last 13.

    Matt Brash – SEA – M’s have been hot and Brash is the main setup man for Munoz.

    Tyler Rogers – NYM – Is the top setup man for Edwin Diaz, Mets should win SOME games to close out 2025.

    Mason Miller – SDP – He has been on fire lately, 0.00 ERA in last 11 with 23 Ks.

    Jeremiah Estrada – SDP – Not as on fire as Miller but does have 21 Ks in last 11.2 innings.

    David Robertson – PHI – He may have had some struggles, he still has seven holds over his last 12 outings.

    Matt Strahm – PHI – is still a preferred high-leverage arm in Philly, 0.90 ERA over last 10.

    Garrett Whitlock – BOS -leads team in holds over last 30 days, 0.00 ERA.

    Tony Santillan – CIN – Has been the best high-leverage arm all year in Cincy

    Solid Play

    Robert Garcia – TEX – He has turned his season around since losing the closer’s job with a 0.75 ERA in his last 12.

    Brendon Little – TOR – Has been struggling with a 5.00 ERA over his last 13 games, does lead team in holds in this time

    Fernando Cruz – NYY – Should be a preferred high-leverage arm in the Bronx, despite struggles.

    Dylan Lee – ATL – leads team in holds over last 30 days, 3.48 ERA in this time.

    Aaron Ashby – MIL – he leads the team in holds over last 30 days, 2.41 ERA in that time

    JoJo Romero – STL – 1.26 ERA over last 14 games, is a top high-leverage option

    Caleb Thielbar – CHC – with Daniel Palencia about to be activated, this ‘pen is crowded. But he should still see high-leverage spots.

    Jalen Beeks – ARI – The D’backs are performing well and so has he, 1.35 ERA over last 10.

    Joey Lucchesi – SFG – pitching well, Giants have a relatively easy schedule, should be some holds to be claimed.

    Matt Festa -CLE – Guards are surging and he’s been getting late-inning work.

    Eduard Bazardo – SEA – M’s have been on fire and he is tied for the team lead in holds over last 30 days.

    Gabe Speier – SEA – The dude Bazardo is tied with.

    Ronny Henriquez – MIA – Leads the Fish with seven holds in his last nine games with a 0.84 ERA and they’re winning right now.

    Brooks Raley – NYM – 2.53 ERA in last 13 and is the lead lefty.

    Rico Garcia – BAL – Has seven holds in last 12 games with a 2.31 ERA

    Adrian Morejon – SDP – His solid year chugs right along.

    Phil Maton – TEX – Is over his struggles, should be a late inning option in Texas to close out season.

    Edwin Uceta – TBR – The team context prevents this from being a ‘must-roster’ but he has really turned his season around and now leads the team in holds over last 30 days.

    Garrett Cleavinger – TBR – A preferred late-inning arm all year for Tampa.

    John Schreiber – KCR – Even with Lucas Eceg on the IL, Schreiber has been struggling lately and the Royals may take this week to try other arms out.

    Tommy Kahnle – DET – He has turned a corner with 2.13 ERA in last 13 and if the Tigers win again, he should be a top setup option.

    Kyle Finnegan – DET – he is back from the IL and should get high-leverage work.

    Luke Weaver – NYY – The Yanks could look to get him some high-leverage work to see if he can be an option in the postseason.

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    September 24, 2025, 4:54 pm