Los Angeles Dodgers reliever Michael Kopech collected his 11th save of the season and second in three days on Sunday, locking down a 2-1 win over the St. Louis Cardinals. Kopech has been fantastic since he was acquired by the Dodgers at the trade deadline, tossing 9 shutout frames, striking out 13, and allowing just one hit and one walk. LA hasn't been able to lock down a closer since removing Evan Phillips from the role, but it appears manager Dave Roberts has found his guy in Kopech. As the Dodgers' potential closer, he should be rostered in any league where saves count.
Los Angeles Dodgers reliever Michael Kopech was handed the ball in the ninth inning Friday, pitching a clean frame with no hits or walks and recording two strikeouts while notching the save in the 7-6 victory over the Cardinals. It was the righty's first save in a Dodger uniform after coming over from the White Sox. While the 28-year-old's tenure with the Sox was tumultuous, it has been smooth sailing so far in L.A., posting a 0.00 ERA in eight appearances, allowing just one hit and one walk while striking out 13 batters. Daniel Hudson blew a save on Thursday and it has been nearly a month since Evan Phillips earned a save, so while all three are in the mix, Kopech's effectiveness should provide him more opportunities for saves going forward.
The Los Angeles Dodgers acquired reliever Michael Kopech from the Chicago White Sox as part of a three-team trade on Monday. Kopech was a starter for the White Sox during the 2022 and 2023 seasons. However, the team moved him to the bullpen this offseason. It has been mixed results for the right-hander in that role this year, as he currently owns a 4.74 ERA and 59 strikeouts across 43 appearances. The 28-year-old was Chicago's closer in 2024, but it's unclear what type of role he will have with the Dodgers for the rest of the season. As a result, he likely should only be considered in extremely deep fantasy formats.
Chicago White Sox closer Michael Kopech nailed down the win in Wednesday's 3-1 victory over the Twins, recording his ninth save of the season. The righty came in pumping strikes, throwing just nine pitches in the inning, getting four whiffs and striking out all three batters he faced. This is partly why Kopech has remained closer because it shows what he is capable of, but it hasn't gone so smoothly this season, even allowing four earned runs in a blown save just two outings ago. For the season, the 28-year-old owns a 5.18 ERA, 1.43 WHIP, and an 18.0% K-BB% which would be much higher if not for a bloated 12.9% BB%. In addition to his nine saves, he's also got five blown saves on the season, but he'll likely remain the Sox's closer as he's still probably their best option.
Chicago White Sox relief pitcher Michael Kopech was called upon to hold a one-run lead against the Miami Marlins on Sunday. He was unable to do that as the Marlins were all over Kopech. He walked the first batter of the inning but seemed to settle down after that. Kopech eventually unraveled and allowed a game-winning three-run home run to Jake Burger. This is now three straight rough outings for Kopech. It's hard to justify keeping him on fantasy rosters at this point.
Michael Kopech Stakes Claim To Closer's Role For White Sox
Chicago White Sox relief pitcher Michael Kopech picked up his fourth save of the season on Thursday, shutting down the Cleveland Guardians in a 3-2 win. Kopech got the final four outs of this one, allowing just a hit while striking out one. Although the White Sox aren't likely to get many save chances, it appears Kopech is the go-to guy when the opportunity arises. He now has four of the team's seven saves and has saves in back-to-back games as well. It might be time to consider picking him up in leagues where saves are sparse.
Chicago White Sox closer Michael Kopech locked down Wednesday's 4-1 win over the Tampa Bay Rays, firing a scoreless ninth inning to secure the victory. Kopech got Randy Arozarena to fly out before giving up a single to Harold Ramirez, but the hurler managed to induce a game-ending double play out of Isaac Paredes. It's been a mixed bag from the hard-throwing 28-year-old right-hander as a reliever for the last-place ChiSox this season, but he does have three saves as well as a serviceable 3.93 ERA and 1.25 WHIP while fanning 25 and walking 10 over 18 1/3 frames as Chicago's preferred ninth-inning weapon. Rookie righty Jordan Leasure and veteran John Brebbia are also in the mix for save opportunities on the South Side, making Kopech a fringe hold in fantasy leagues for saves desperados.
Chicago White Sox relief pitcher Michael Kopech picked up his second save of the season in Tuesday's 7-5 win over the Guardians. Kopech came in to pitch the bottom of the eighth inning up by two and struck out the side. He stayed in to pitch the bottom of the ninth and delivered another 1-2-3 inning with a strikeout to end the game. The 27-year-old has pitched well overall since moving to the bullpen, converting both of his save opportunities with a 2.45 ERA, 12 strikeouts, and five walks in 7 1/3 innings pitched. Walks are still an issue and the White Sox may not offer many save opportunities, but Kopech seems like the bullpen arm to roster in fantasy leagues at this time given his performance.
Chicago White Sox relief pitcher Michael Kopech earned his first save of the season in Tuesday's 3-2 win over the Braves. Kopech came in to pitch the top of the eighth inning up by one with one out and runners on first and second. He got a groundball double play to end the half-inning and stayed on to pitch the ninth, now up by two. He got the first out on a fly-out, allowed a solo home run, got the second out on a strikeout, allowed a walk and a single, and got the final out on a pop-out. It wasn't pretty, but it was the team's first save of the season. Kopech has looked about as expected in his new bullpen role, compiling a 2.08 ERA with five strikeouts and three walks in 4 1/3 IP. Walks could cripple him as they have in the past, but he looks to be a potential closer for the White Sox in the early going.
Chicago White Sox right-hander Michael Kopech is being moved to the bullpen, according to general manager Chris Getz. It doesn't come as a huge surprise after Kopech finished last year pitching in relief for the Pale Hose. However, it's a bit more surprising after Chicago just traded ace Dylan Cease to the San Diego Padres on Wednesday evening. The 27-year-old Kopech, a former first-round pick by the Boston Red Sox in 2014, had a career-worst 5.43 ERA (6.46 FIP) and 1.59 WHIP with a league-high 91 walks and a career-high 134 strikeouts in 129 1/3 innings over 30 outings (27 starts) in 2023. Given the lack of closing options in Chicago's current bullpen, Kopech might be the favorite for saves now, which would make him much more valuable in fantasy than if he remained in a starting role.
Michael Kopech
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Dodgers
