Baltimore Orioles relief pitcher Paul Fry made things interesting but ultimately earned the win in Monday's 9-7 game against the Astros. Fry pitched a 1-2-3 eighth inning and stayed on to pitch the ninth with a five-run lead. He struck the first batter out, hit the next batter, then allowed three consecutive singles, two of which resulted in runs scored. Fry exited the game with a two-run lead, runners on first and second, and one out. One of his runners eventually scored, but Fry was the winning pitcher of record. The 28-year-old has pitched well this season, but has had two blow-up appearances in his last four. Most O's pitchers, starters and relievers offer little fantasy value at this time. Fry may see some save opportunities, but fantasy managers will likely be better off chasing saves elsewhere.
Paul Fry Earns Save Friday, Seeing More Save Situations
Baltimore Orioles relief pitcher Paul Fry picked up his second save of the season in Friday's 3-1 win over the Indians. Fry entered the game to pitch the ninth inning up by two. He allowed a leadoff single, got a strikeout and a groundout, allowed another single, and induced a final groundout to seal the deal. The O's bullpen had been a bit of a mess at the end of games lately, but Fry has been solid all season long and is now seeing more high-leverage and end-of-game opportunities. He has converted two of four save opportunities this season and has a strong 1.99 ERA and 13.10 K/9 rate. The O's may not see all that many save situations, but it looks like Fry is the guy from their bullpen for fantasy managers to roster for now.
Paul Fry Appears To Be New Orioles Closer, Despite Sulser Save
Baltimore Orioles relief pitcher Paul Fry has been dominant out of the bullpen this year. He has a 2.25 ERA to go along with an even better 1.91 xERA and his 40.3% strikeout rate ranks in the 98th percentile. Fellow reliever Cole Sulser was called upon for the save in Tuesday's game against the Minnesota Twins and converted his first save of the year. However, after the game, Orioles manager Brandon Hyde said that Sulser was used in the ninth because Fry was unavailable. Fry had pitched four innings across the team's three games on Sunday and Monday, striking out seven batters and allowing no hits or walks. Fry should be a priority add in all fantasy leagues. Hyde's postgame explanation makes it sound rather clear that Fry is the guy he's going to look to in the ninth inning going forward. With Fry's elite strikeout rate, he could be a great asset going forward if the Orioles can wrangle together some wins.
Baltimore Orioles manager Brandon Hyde said that the only reason he did not have relief pitcher Paul Fry pitch multiple innings in Monday's 3-2 extra-innings loss to the Twins was because he was working on back-to-back days, per MASNsports.com's Roch Kubatko. Fry pitched a 1-2-3 ninth inning with three strikeouts to keep the game tied 1-1. Unfortunately, the O's failed to win once again. Fry has been the team's best reliever to this point, compiling a 2.25 ERA with a 13.95 K/9 rate on the season. With Cesar Valdez pitching poorly recently, it would not be surprising to see Fry take over some save opportunities if the O's are able to get them. This hypothetically raises Fry's fantasy value, but the O's may not see many save situations given how they have played lately. At this point, he may be worth a speculative roster add in deep leagues for managers chasing saves.
Baltimore Orioles relief pitcher Paul Fry earned his first save of the season in Wednesday's 4-3 extra-innings win over the Yankees. Fry came on to pitch the 11th inning up by a run and actually only needed to retire two hitters, as the O's doubled off the automatic runner starting at second base. This was just Fry's second appearance of the season. Given how the O's have utilized their bullpen so far this season, it seems that Fry's save opportunity was merely from the game going into extra innings. He does not seem to be fantasy relevant at this time, as the O's have leaned on Cesar Valdez the most in save situations.
Baltimore Orioles relief pitcher Paul Fry picked up his second save of the season in Friday's 4-1 win against the Blue Jays. Fry pitched a 1-2-3 ninth inning ending with a strikeout. The O's have used a number of relievers in save situations this season, but Mychal Givens has received the most with 11 while tonight was just Fry's third. Regardless, his 4.41 ERA with 28 strikeouts in 34 2/3 IP are not useful for fantasy purposes. Players chasing saves should go with Givens instead.
Paul Fry Bails Out Mychal Givens, Earns Save Sunday
Baltimore Orioles relief pitcher Paul Fry earned his first save of the season in Sunday's 7-5 game against the Yankees. Teammate Mychal Givens was on the way to earning the save; he pitched the eighth inning and got the first two outs in the ninth inning, but then gave up a walk and back-to-back singles, allowing a run to score. Fry entered the game up by two with runners on first and second and recorded the strikeout to end the game. Manager Brandon Hyde said it might be a while before the team has a set closer, so don't be surprised to see a host of pitchers in save situations for the O's in the near future. This isn't promising fantasy-wise, but Givens is still the best bet for those hunting for saves.
