Each and every week, we will break down the pitching forecast for the upcoming week. Here, you’ll find relief pitchers with no off days (more opportunities), good matchups, and bad matchups. In addition, you will find all relievers who will start a game this week. Keep those guys in mind when your closers have bad matchups, or if you do not have any closers rostered.
Without further ado, this week’s Relief Pitcher Positional Forecast:
Closers with No Off-Days
Joe Nathan, Detroit Tigers
Rafael Soriano, Washington Nationals
Francisco Rodriguez, Milwaukee Brewers
Craig Kimbrel, Atlanta Braves
Matt Lindstrom, Chicago White Sox
Cody Allen, Cleveland Indians
Good Matchups
[Player, Team, (Opponent)]
Fernando Rodney, Seattle Mariners (Rangers and Astros)
Francisco Rodriguez, Milwaukee Brewers (Braves and Marlins)
Huston Street, San Diego Padres (Twins and Cubs)
David Robertson, New York Yankees (Cubs and White Sox)
Bad Matchups
[Player, Team, (Opponent)]
Aroldis Chapman, Cincinnati Reds (Nationals and Cardinals)
Craig Kimbrel, Atlanta Braves (Brewers and Rockies)
Greg Holland, Kansas City Royals (White Sox and Angels)
Grant Balfour, Tampa Bay Rays (Athletics and Red Sox)
Matt Lindstrom, Chicago White Sox (Royals and Yankees)
Relief Pitcher Probable Starts
[Player, Team, (Opponent, Date)]
Drew Smyly, Detroit Tigers (Indians, May 19, Rangers, May 24)
Garrett Richards, Los Angeles Angels (Astros, May 19)
Tyson Ross, San Diego Padres (Twins, May 21)
Samuel Deduno, Minnesota Twins (Giants, May 24)
Roberto Hernandez, Philadelphia Phillies (Dodgers, May 24)
Dallas Keuchel, Houston Astros (Angels, May 19, Mariners, May 24)
David Phelps, New York Yankees (White Sox, May 22)
Jesse Chavez, Oakland Athletics (Blue Jays, May 24)
Brandon Maurer, Seattle Mariners (Astros, May 24)
Josh Collmenter, Arizona Diamondbacks (Cardinals, May 22)
Tanner Roark, Washington Nationals (Reds, May 21)
Drew Pomeranz, Colorado Rockies (Rays, May 20, Blue Jays, May 25)
Robbie Ross, Texas Rangers (Tigers, May 23)
Alfredo Simon, Cincinnati Reds (Nationals, May 21)
Franklin Morales, Colorado Rockies (Giants, May 20, Braves, May 25)
Rafael Montero, New York Mets (Dodgers, May 20, Diamondbacks, May 25)
Josh Tomlin, Cleveland Indians (Orioles, May 22)
