MLB Showdown Cards

MLB Showdown: Relievers 170-190 Points

            Maybe you are still in the market for a closer. Maybe you just need a problem solver. With guys in this range you like to think you can run through the heart of most orders and come out of the other side more often then not without a scratch. We are going to focus on guys in the 190-170 range. If this is your closer you are going to lose more games in the ninth then someone who spends more. These guys are completely optional for teams that pitch 6 or less innings of relief a series. Completely needed for people pitch 12 or more innings of relief a series.

            There are 3 choices for 6s in this range. Juan Cruz and Antonio Bastardo have 16-18 BB, 19 1B, 20 2B. These guys are going to let people on base. Small ballers will think they can steal their way into scoring position. Those big walks will be nice by making thirdbase the place to be not second. These guys are going to have a tough time finding singles with only a 19. They both have small GB outs but I can live with that at the price. Get the lead off hitter out and all down hill. I actually prefer John Axford for the same price. 1 more out being a 1-16 out. His 20 2B, 18-19 1B, 17 BB is a bit worse but he keeps people off base. I like the extra out over the over sized walk but that is just preference.

            For 5s Mike MacDougal is a fantastic pick. If you ever considered Heath Bell, don't and get MacDougal. His 1-16 out is pretty standard. His no 2B and 17-18 BB makes Heath Bell and Jeff Samardzija both undraftable while he is on the board. 7-13 GB for those who like the double play. All for 180 points. Great set-up man who could be stretched in a pinch. Balfour and Storen are a pure matter of preference in the 170 range. Rafael Betancourt has an interesting card. 170 points and 17-20 1B, 1-16 out with a 1-9 none advancing out. 10 is his on GB so that stinks. I think he is worth a look for some people if you arn't afraid of people trying to manufacture runs late in the game.

            There are so many 4s in this range you are going to have to do a bit of the work in the minutia for some of them. Kenley Jansen is the steal at 180 points. 1-17 out with a 18-19 BB, 20 BB and 1-12 none advancing out. He may creep up into the top 5 rounds in some drafts he is such a deal. For the 170 point player I like Sean Marshal. 18-20 1B, 1-17 out, 1-9 none advancing out and 11-14 GB. He will make it tough to manufacture anything against him. The rest I leave in the capable hands of my readers to decide.

            The lights out 3s are pretty scarce. Which stinks because I think they could do some real damage in a year like this where people may use low on-base/high speed players at the bottom of orders to create runs. For 180 points Scott Downs has a 1-18 out and 19-20 1B. His 1-6 none advancing out is a bit scary. His 7-14 GB is scary for the other side. Javy Guerra is a little less desirable to me. Same 1-18 out but 20 2B, 19 BB. Bigger none advancing out in 1-7. His 8-12 GB just doesn't excite me for a guy who could have pingers on base often. He has his uses but Downs is much more useable.

            If you get 2 of these players I suggest getting two different types of guys. I power 3 and a tank 6 compliment each other well. At this range the 5s and 6s counter power and have issues with pingers and money ballers who attack them with on base. Then 4s and 3s will give up the advantage more often but have much better charts when they get the advantage. This makes them more exposed to offensive players who have more impressive charts. Ether way these players need to be pitching on average a little more then 2 innings per series to be worth the points.