Houston Astros left-hander Josh Hader got the final three outs to preserve a 3-0 win over the Seattle Mariners on Friday. Hader needed just 11 pitches to get through the ninth inning while striking out one and not allowing any baserunners. The star closer now has a 3-5 record, 3.77 ERA, 0.98 WHIP, 19 saves, and 68 strikeouts over 43 innings of work this season. Despite a higher-than-usual ERA, Hader remains an elite fantasy closer thanks to his high strikeout rate and frequent save chances.
Houston Astros closer Josh Hader didn't pitch a clean outing but did convert his 13th save of the season in Monday's 3-1 win over the Blue Jays. Hader came in to pitch the bottom of the ninth inning up by three. He got the first two outs on a strikeout and fly-out, allowed a solo home run, and got the final out on a pop-out. The 30-year-old has now converted all but one save opportunity with a 3.82 ERA, a 14.34 K/9 rate, and a 2.63 BB/9 rate in 37 2/3 innings pitched. His ERA has been higher than fantasy managers would expect, but he has done a good job limiting walks. Ultimately, Hader's skillset is still that of a top fantasy option, but he has surprisingly not had a ton of save opportunities due to the Astros' overall mediocre performance.
Houston Astros closer Josh Hader picked up his ninth save of the season in Monday's 7-4 win over the Cardinals. Hader came in to pitch the top of the ninth inning up by three and turned in a 1-2-3 performance with a strikeout. The 30-year-old has been solid this season, converting all but one of his save opportunities. His 14.46 K/9 rate is what fantasy managers have come to expect, although his 3.54 ERA and .302 BABIP are not at the elite level he has shown over his career. The good news is that he has allowed just two runs since the beginning of May and has maintained high strikeout skills, so fantasy managers have nothing to worry about.
Houston Astros reliever Josh Hader retired three of the four batters he faced on the way to his fifth save of the season in Friday's 5-2 win against the Detroit Tigers. Hader allowed one walk while striking out two as 10 of his 17 pitches went for strikes. Friday marked the fifth time in his last six outings that Hader did not allow a run, lowering his ERA to 5.29. He has struck out 11 batters in his last 7 1/3 innings, a sign that the free agent acquisition is returning to his All-Star form. Overall, Hader owns a 5.29 ERA, 1.35 WHIP, and a 27:8 K: BB across 17 innings in 2024.
Houston Astros closer Josh Hader secured Thursday's save, recording four outs with one strikeout for his fourth save of the season in the 4-3 win over the New York Yankees. Hader relieved Ryan Pressly in the eighth inning and got lefty-hitter Anthony Rizzo to pop out to end the frame. Gleyber Torres lined a single to get the tying run aboard in the ninth, but Hader managed to sit down the next three hitters in order. It was awful start to the year for Hader in his Astros debut season, but he's gotten back on track with a 2.16 ERA and 1.08 WHIP while striking out 14, walking three, and converting each of his three save opportunities over his last seven appearances (8 1/3 innings). It looks like the 30-year-old three-time National League Reliever of the Year's buy-low window in fantasy has closed for the time being.
Houston Astros closer Josh Hader was charged with the loss in a 5-4 defeat at the hands of the Seattle Mariners on Sunday. Hader gave up a homer in the ninth inning of a tie game to Cal Raleigh to take his third loss of the year. The lefty appeared to be figuring things out heading into this one, with no earned runs allowed in his last four innings pitched, but he can't seem to find his consistency this season. His ERA rises to 6.14 and his WHIP to 1.43, although he does have 24 strikeouts in 14 IP. He also still only has three saves, which has to be the biggest disappointment for fantasy managers.
Houston Astros closer Josh Hader put the work in to earn his first win of the season in Tuesday's 8-9 extra-innings win over the Guardians. Hader came in to pitch the top of the ninth inning with the game tied. He allowed a leadoff walk but got the next three hitters out. He allowed the automatic runner to score in the 10th inning off a double but escaped otherwise. The Astros walked it off in the bottom half of the inning, making Hader the pitcher of record. His final stat line was one unearned run in two innings of work on one hit and one walk with four strikeouts. Hader has been inconsistent to this point and is now 1-2 with two saves, a 6.39 ERA, a 14.92 K/9 rate, and a 4.26 BB/9 rate in 12 2.3 IP.
Houston Astros closer Josh Hader turned in a poor outing in a non-save situation in Monday's 6-1 loss to the Braves. Hader came in to pitch the top of the ninth inning down 2-1. He allowed a leadoff walk, allowed the runner to advance on a wild pitch, gave up four consecutive singles scoring two, got an out on a strikeout, and was replaced by Brandon Bielak. The 30-year-old lefty signed a hefty five-year, $95 million deal this off-season. However, he is 0-2 and has converted one of two save opportunities with a bloated 9.39 ERA in 7 2/3 innings pitched. The season is early and Hader has been historically excellent, so fantasy managers should not worry just yet.
Houston Astros closer Josh Hader finally grabbed his first save of the season on Sunday in a 3-1 win over the Texas Rangers. Although he allowed a run on a hit and a walk in his inning of work, he (and fantasy managers) will take the save. Hader hasn't been himself this year, as he has now allowed four runs in five innings of work. He has a pair of losses and a blown save as well. The 30-year-old will have a long leash after signing a five-year deal in Houston, so fantasy managers shouldn't be concerned yet.
Houston Astros closer Josh Hader blew his first save opportunity of the season and fell to 0-2 in Tuesday's 2-1 loss to the Blue Jays. Hader came in to pitch the top of the ninth inning up 1-0. He allowed a leadoff single, induced a groundball double play, allowed a walk, gave up a two-run home run, and got the final out on a ground out. The Astros were unable to tie or win in the bottom half, saddling Hader with the loss. The high-profile lefty has been disappointing so far this season despite signing a huge contract this off-season and owns a 6.75 ERA with seven strikeouts and two walks in four innings pitched. However, Hader should be given a long leash given his career success and the contract he signed. Further, his predecessor, Ryan Pressly, has also gotten off to a rough start.
