The final weekend for Fantasy Baseball is here. What playoff relief can fantasy managers expect to find on the waiver wire to ensure a championship run? And where on the waiver wire do we find that relief? The September call-ups or the bench players. Overall, categories like saves, holds, and K’s are the ones that may put you over the top on the final day of the Championship or Consolation playoffs.
The Playoffs – Oh, What a Relief It Is
Devin Williams, New York Yankees (RP)
Devin Williams was a relief afterthought after the New York Yankees loaded up at the reliever position with David Bednar and Camilo Doval at the 2025 trade deadline. He’s given up multiple runs in 10 outings this season. Despite an impressive 88:24 K: BB over 53 frames, his ERA sits at an ugly 5.03 on the season.
But suddenly, the former closer has contributed to the Yankees’ resurgence. Since a blown save and loss in early September, Williams has posted five holds and struck out 10 batters in six appearances. He may not be on the waiver wire, but his playoff relief needs to be in the lineup.
Mason Miller, San Diego Padres (RP)
The San Diego Padres reliever Mason Miller is another trade deadline pitcher added to an already loaded bullpen. The addition of Miller from the Oakland Athletics gave the Padres another back-end weapon — a “fifth horseman,” if you will. (Padres manager Mike Shildt had taken to calling his quartet of Robert Suarez, Jason Adam, Jeremiah Estrada, and Adrian Morejon the “Four Horsemen.” MLB)
Miller initially looked like a fifth wheel pitching for the Padres. But he has settled in and now has a streak of 18 scoreless appearances. The reliever is a definite playoff relief play as he has posted a sizzling 36:8 K: BB while recording nine holds with one save.
Under the Playoff Waiver Wire Radar
Ryan Thompson, Arizona Diamondbacks (RP)
The Diamondbacks activated Ryan Thompson (RP) from the 15-day injured list on September 1st. The veteran reliever has easily flown under the playoff waiver wire radar this month. He’s rostered at 1 percent in fantasy leagues. Upon his return to the bullpen, the 33-year-old has been in the mix for holds. Thompsons’ September performance includes one win and six holds in 10 appearances, walking only one in seven innings.
Hogan Harris, Oakland Athletics (RP)
Hogan Harris should remain one of the Athletics’ preferred late-inning closer options alongside Sean Newcomb to finish up the season. The left-hander posted his fourth save of the season following the trade of Mason Miller to the San Diego Padres. Through 60 innings, Harris has a 3.30 ERA, 1.42 WHIP, and 61:33 K: BB. This sleeper relief option should be added off the waiver wire for the playoff finals.
Note: Newcomb’s season is officially over after an outstanding run with the Athletics, where he compiled a sparkling 1.76 ERA across 51 1/3 innings over 36 appearances after being claimed off waivers from the Boston Red Sox.
Michael Kelly, Oakland Athletics (RP)
So instead, grab the Oakland Athletics reliever Michael Kelly. The right-hander has two of the A’s four saves this week, with Hogan Harris collecting the other two, and the two arms appear to be manager Mark Kotsay’s top ninth-inning options as the season draws to a close, depending on matchups. Over 7.1 innings in September, Kelly sports a 2.45 ERA, 1.09 WHIP, and 7:3 K : BB.
Let us know who you are grabbing off the Waiver Wire over at The Fantasy Sports Advice Network.
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