Twins Brandon Kintzler: Deep Waiver Wire Add
By Bill Pivetz
The Twins have had a revolving door at the closer position. It looks like Brandon Kintzler is the ninth-inning guy for now. Add him if you need saves.
The Minnesota Twins are last in the league with saves. They have dealt with injuries to their closer Glen Perkins and No. 3 reliever Trevor May. Replacement closer Kevin Jepsen has allowed six runs in 7.1 innings this month. As a result, Brandon Kintzler looks to be the new closer for the Twins, at least for now.
Kintzler spent six years with the Milwaukee Brewers before joining the Twins for this season. He never recorded a save before this season. Yet, has pitched well enough for Twins manager Paul Molitor to give him a chance.
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On the season, he has a 2.49 ERA, 0.92 WHIP and 6.2 K/9 this season. Since June 8, the date of his first save, he has a 2.57 ERA, 0.86 WHIP and three saves. Two of his outings required four outs to record the save.
It may seem like a Godsend for fantasy owners to have someone with save opportunities available on the waiver wire, but there is a reason Minnesota only has 11 saves.
The Twins offense and starting rotation are not playing well. The offense is 23rd in batting average for the season and 20th this month. Not a single member of the rotation has an ERA under 4.50. When the starter allows five runs per start and the offense can’t score six, there won’t be many save chances.
Brandon Kintzler should be added in the deepest of leagues. It doesn’t look like Jepsen will be getting ninth-inning duties anytime soon. There are plenty of other closers available that have a higher chance of getting a save if you play in standard leagues.
Next: Daniel Mengden: Deep Waiver Add
Kintzler is owned in just 10.1 percent of ESPN leagues, and for obvious reasons. Though, he is a relief pitcher worth adding for the 2.50 ERA and low WHIP. He doesn’t strike out a lot of batters, only seven in the last 11.1 innings, but keeps opposing runners off base.