By Rob Steingall
CSNChicago.com Contributor
Carlos Marmol, Cubs: He's the hottest scrap heap reclamation project on your league waiver wire, as he's collected five saves during the past two weeks, along with passable ratios (1.80 ERA, 1.20 WHIP). Marmol has always been able to strike batters out in bunches, but walks lead to ninth inning adventures. If you're willing to gamble, Marmol could be a key to your second half run.
Huston Street, Padres: Always the subject of trade rumors, Street just continues to produce, collecting four saves during the past two weeks, and a spotless ERA. His 1.29 ERA and 12 saves on the season look great considering he missed a good chunk of time due to injury, making him a top ninth inning fantasy option when healthy, especially pitching half his games in spacious Petco Park.
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Ryan Cook, Athletics: Looks like someone has finally taken the Athletics closing job and run with it, and Cook is that man. He's converted seven out of nine save opportunities since taking over as closer. And with two struggling veterans behind him, it looks like an open road in front of him for saves.
Addison Reed, White Sox: He struggled a bit in June (1-1, 3.86 ERA), but still looks like a rock solid ninth inning option. Reed's strikeout rate (9.96 K9) is a bit down from what we saw out of him last year, but that screams upside for the second half of the season. The best could be yet to come from the young righty.
J.J. Putz, Diamondbacks: Putz hasn't been very good this season, posting a 5.04 ERA, but has closed out 14-of-17 save chances despite his struggles. He's a boring veteran option with a long enough leash to make you feel comfortable when acquiring him. His expected ERA (3.85 FIP, 3.40 xFIP) suggests a positive second half correction is coming.