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Many of the game's top firemen were once dominating middle relievers. Superstar closer B.J. Ryan, for example, struck out 122 batters with a 2.28 ERA as a setup man for the Orioles in 2004. And before Pittsburgh's Mike Gonzalez was converting 100 percent of his save opportunities (24-for-24 this season), the hard-throwing left-hander boasted a 0.88 WHIP as the Pirates setup man in 2005. Targeting such cheap "non-closers" is a great way to lower your ERA and WHIP and play it safe in September.

Which begs the question:

With few appealing free agents left on your waiver wire, which middle reliever can best trim your ERA and WHIP down the stretch?

Cory Schwartz
MLB.com Director of Stats and Fantasy 411 co-host


Jonathan Broxton, Los Angeles Dodgers
Before this weekend, a great choice would've been the rejuvenated Jose Valverde of the Diamondbacks, but since he was just reinstated to the closer role in place of the slumping Jorge Julio, he's probably already gone from your waiver wire. Instead, look for a power pitcher who can give you a great strikeout rate without too many walks, pitches in a favorable home ballpark for a good team, and generally pitches later in the game so he can vulture a few wins and saves. And -- though this is harder to judge but crucially important -- look for one who hasn't been overworked this season, one that won't fatigue down the stretch and kill your ratios with one or two bad blowups. Jonathan Broxton of the Dodgers, we're talking about you.

Mike Siano
MLB.com Fantasy 411 co-host


Adam Wainwright, St. Louis Cardinals
I took Adam Wainwright over a solid Jamie Walker and Scott Eyre for a few reasons. If you are looking to lower ERA and WHIP right now, you need guys who are throwing innings, and as good as Walker has been, he's amassed only 38 2/3 IP. Eyre has innings and more Ks then IP but has too high of a WHIP (1.36) to win this award. That leaves us with Wainwright, who in the last two weeks has a spectacular WHIP of 0.80, a so-so ERA of 3.60 and a K/9 IP rate of 12.6. Wainwright gives you some of everything because he throws the innings and gets the results that will help you in September.

Alex Cushing
MLB.com Fantasy Writer


Kevin Gregg, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
When seeking ERA and WHIP insurance, it's best to target power-pitching relievers who compile a large amount of innings. And since the Joel Zumayas, Jonathan Broxtons, Pat Nesheks and Jon Rauchs of the world are likely all gobbled up, fantasy managers shouldn't hesitate to dig deeper for middle-relief help. An example of such an underrated long reliever is Angels hurler Kevin Gregg.

From one angle, Gregg sports a pedestrian 4.40 ERA. A closer look into his split stats, however, reveals that Gregg has suffered the majority of that damage as a starter, having been roughed up to the tune of a 6.89 clip while in the Anaheim rotation. Gregg has fared much better in the bullpen, boasting a 3.70 ERA, more than a strikeout per inning and an ideal 57/16 K/BB ratio as a reliever. What's more, Gregg amassed 17 innings in August, topping each of the fantastic four mentioned above. The 28-year-old right-hander recently struck out 11 batters over back-to-back outings against the heavy-hitting Yankees and Rangers.

Whether you're in a mixed league, in an AL-only format or just plain want to own someone with two first names, Gregg's your guy.

Dean Chiungos
MLB.com Fantasy Writer


Adam Wainwright, St. Louis Cardinals
One of the few bright spots on an otherwise disappointing Cardinals pitching staff, right-hander Adam Wainwright is the best available middle-relief option for multi-category relief down the stretch.

Consider:

• With a 3.09 ERA, a 1.15 WHIP and a 63/20 K/BB ratio in 67 innings over 52 appearances, Wainwright will give you the per-inning and aggregate statistical boost your tiring staff could surely use.
• The 25-year-old rookie is just getting warmed up. He's allowed one hit, walked none and struck out seven in 3 2/3 scoreless over his last two outings and recorded a hold in four of his last five appearances to up his season total to 15.
• With a mid-90s heater and a curve as imposing as his 6-foot-7, 207-pound frame, Wainwright could be next in line for saves if closer Jason Isringhausen were to hit the disabled list (despite his success as the Cards' primary setup man, Braden Looper has converted only 103 of 138 career save chances).
• As a potential starter in 2007, Wainwright has added value in keeper formats -- especially with Albert Pujols and the mighty Redbirds offense backing him up.

Ben Heller
MLB.com Fantasy Writer


Brett Tomko, Los Angeles Dodgers
While the rest of the experts spit out the names and stats of middle relievers you've been reading about all season, I'll toss out one you've been hearing for years, only for all the wrong reasons: Brett Tomko.

The same Brett Tomko who's pitched for six teams in 10 seasons? The same Brett Tomko who hasn't had an ERA less than 4.00 since the Clinton administration? The same Brett Tomko who lost 15 games a season ago? Yup, that's the guy. Only now he's a different guy, if that makes any sense. See, since Tomko moved to the bullpen in July, he's tossed 19 innings, struck out 19 batters, and posted a 2.37 ERA, a 0.95 WHIP and a .179 batting average against. And best of all, unlike the Joel Zumayas and Aaron Heilmans of the world, Tomko is likely available in about 99.99 percent of fantasy leagues.

Gregg Schwartz
MLB.com Fantasy Writer


Guillermo Mota, New York Mets
Guillermo Mota has been lights out since debuting with the Mets on Aug. 22, going 1-0 with a 1.13 ERA, a 0.50 WHIP and 11 strikeouts in eight innings. It appears that the 33-year-old right-hander, who has struggled over the past two seasons with the Indians and Marlins, is finally returning to his dominant ways. Remember, Mota sported a 2.04 ERA and amassed 151 Ks in 168 innings as a setup man with the Dodgers from 2003-04. The new Met will likely continue to baffle National League hitters with a three-pitch arsenal that includes a mid-90s fastball, a changeup and a slider.

Tim Ott
MLB.com Fantasy Writer


Aaron Heilman, New York Mets
There are setup men who throw harder (Joel Zumaya) and are given more save opportunities (Dan Wheeler), but since such pitchers have likely already been claimed in your average mixed-league format, I'm going to go with a true waiver-wire pick in Aaron Heilman. The right-hander's numbers (3.89 ERA, 1.23 WHIP) aren't particularly noteworthy; in fact, they look almost lousy compared to what newcomers like Cla Meredith (0.84 ERA, 0.65 WHIP) and Pat Neshek (1.35 ERA, 0.67 WHIP) have posted. The difference is that Heilman is a proven commodity who gets stronger at this time of year. The changeup artist recorded a 0.68 ERA and a 1.05 WHIP after the All-Star break in 2005, and he's following a similar path this time around with a 1.38 ERA and a 0.77 WHIP over his last 13 appearances. There are probably a couple dozen setup men I'd take over Heilman at the beginning of the season, but with the pickings slim and October drawing near, I'm making the call to the most reliable bullpen arm out there.

Jamie O'Grady
MLB.com Fantasy Writer


Pat Neshek, Minnesota Twins
September is certainly late in the game for owners to significantly improve their ERA and WHIP, but for those within statistical striking distance of their league mates, 30 days of middle-relief production can be vital. Ready to make an immediate contribution is right-hander Pat Neshek of the Twins. Available in the vast majority of formats, Neshek was called up in early July and has been dominant ever since, as evidenced by his 1.35 ERA and 0.68 WHIP. As an added benefit, Neshek has collected 38 Ks in just 26 2/3 innings pitched, making him more valuable to those in strikeout formats with limits for games started. His performance has not been a fluke either, as the former Minor League closer posted combined ERAs of 2.19 and 1.95 in the 2005 and '06 seasons, respectively. In fact, with 405 professional strikeouts over 321 1/3 innings pitched, Neshek looks an awful lot like his teammate, all-world closer Joe Nathan. Giddy up!

This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.