## How to Track Saves Saves are awarded to relief pitchers who finish a game under specific lead-protecting conditions, usually in the ninth inning. To track saves effectively using Closer Monkey: * **Identify Secure Closers:** Pitchers listed with a "Secure" status are highly likely to receive the bulk of their team's save opportunities. These players are reliable anchors for your fantasy roster. * **Monitor "Shaky" Situations:** When a closer's status is updated to "Shaky," it indicates poor performance, recent struggles, or potential injury concerns. This is a signal that a change in the closer role may be imminent. * **Watch Bullpen Committees:** If a team is listed as using a "Committee," it means the manager does not rely on a single closer. Instead, multiple pitchers may share save opportunities based on matchups. In these cases, look at the daily updates to see which pitcher has received the most recent opportunities. ## How to Track Holds Holds are awarded to relief pitchers who enter a game in a save situation, record at least one out, and maintain the lead, but do not finish the game. Tracking holds requires looking deeper into the bullpen hierarchy. * **Target the "Next in Line" Pitchers:** The pitcher listed directly behind the closer is typically the primary setup option. These relievers pitch the eighth inning and are the most consistent sources of holds. * **Evaluate Depth Chart Movement:** If a setup pitcher is performing well, they will maintain their position as the primary setup option. If they struggle, they may drop to "Second in Line," reducing their chances of entering games in high-leverage hold situations. * **Identify Future Closers:** Pitchers who excel in hold situations are often the first to be promoted if the primary closer gets injured or loses their job. Tracking holds is therefore an excellent way to anticipate future save sources.
## Utilizing Daily Updates and Alerts Bullpen roles can change overnight due to injuries, fatigue, or sudden changes in manager preferences. Closer Monkey provides daily updates that detail bullpen usage from the previous day's games. * **Daily Bullpen Summaries:** Reviewing the daily write-ups helps you understand who pitched, who was rested, and who might be unavailable for the upcoming games. If a closer has pitched three days in a row, the setup pitcher listed next in line is likely to get the next save opportunity. * **Closer Alerts:** The platform offers notification options, such as email alerts, to inform users immediately when a closer is injured, demoted, or replaced. This allows fantasy managers to add the new closer from the waiver wire before competitors notice the change. ## Verifying Bullpen Information While Closer Monkey is a widely used third-party resource for fantasy baseball analysis, bullpen dynamics are fluid. To ensure the highest level of accuracy for your fantasy roster: * **Check Official Box Scores:** Verify recent pitching appearances and pitch counts through official MLB box scores. * **Monitor Team Transactions:** Keep track of official roster moves, such as injured list placements or minor league call-ups, which directly impact bullpen depth. * **Follow Manager Press Conferences:** Team managers often announce changes in bullpen roles or usage patterns to the media before depth charts are updated online.
