Philadelphia Phillies Jeanmar Gomez: Cheap Saves Available
By Bill Pivetz
Saves is one category that can be found on the waiver wire throughout the season. One closer that should be added is Phillies closer Jeanmar Gomez.
The Philadelphia Phillies entered the 2016 season with a lot of question marks. One of the biggest questions was at the closer position. After trading Jonathan Papelbon in the middle of the 2015 season and Ken Giles during the offseason, fantasy owners wondered who would be the closer. David Hernandez was expected to be the closer, but over the last seven days Jeanmar Gomez has been very useful. If you need saves, pick him up.
Hernandez’s season did not start the right away. He gave up three runs on one hit and two walks while not recording an out in his first appearance. He has settled down over the last week, recording three straight holds while allowing just one hit and two walks and struck out six batters.
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Dalier Hinojosa looked to be the de facto closer for the Phillies. That didn’t last long as he blew his first save opportunity and recorded a loss. He allowed two runs on four hits and recorded just one out. He hasn’t allowed a run since, but hasn’t been used in a meaningful fashion.
Neither one of them worked out, so Jeanmar Gomez stepped up and has been pitching well. He recorded his first save on April 9. He’s recorded four straight and, in that span, he’s allowed one run on three hits and one walk wtih two strikeouts.
After his recent string of success, Gomez looks to be the guy to own in Philly. “I have no problem calling him the closer. He’s the guy I’m going to use,” he said on Wednesday. He is atop the ESPN closer chart with Hernandez listed as the next man up.
Jeanmar Gomez isn’t going to strikeout many batters. He has just three strikeouts in five innings this season. Luckily, he doesn’t allow many hitters to get on base, a 1.80 ERA and 0.80 WHIP. The National League East is not known to have the best hitting teams, two teams rank in the botton third in on-base percentage. So, Gomez should have an easier time closing out games.
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Jeanmar Gomez is owned in just 41.5 percent of leagues. His ownership percentage has gone up 39.2 percent over the last week. It could be closer to 70 percent by the end of next week if he keeps that up. If you want a quick boost in saves for the time being, then pick up Gomez.