Fantasy Baseball 2008 Relief Pitcher Sleepers

There are several relief pitcher gems that fantasy owners can find to help their fantasy teams in 2008. Who exactly can help your fantasy team out in those key pitching categories?

Al Reyes and Dan Wheeler, Tampa Bay Rays

Al Reyes was the closer for the Tampa Bay Rays last season before eventually becoming ineffective in the second half of last season. However, there is very little chance that Troy Percival actually is effective, considering his age and his rapidly-decreasing pitching skills. Though Percival was decent with St. Louis, it is against the odds that he duplicates any of the numbers he posted last season. Reyes is clearly a skilled reliever, but may be better fit as a setup man. Wheeler is a pitcher that fantasy owners will want to roster, as his strikeout ability and his ability to control the strike zone has remained intact coming over from Houston. Consider last season an anomaly for Wheeler, and if he gets the chance to close for the Rays, he could end up posting 20+ saves with a nice ERA and solid strikeout totals.

Rafael Betancourt, Cleveland Indians

Betancourt established himself as one of the best relief pitchers in the game. Incumbent closer Joe Borowski doesn't seem to have the skills to be a dominating closer, and with the Indians in a position to win so many games this season, it is only a matter of time before Rafael Betancourt takes over closing games for the Tribe. You have to love his super-low ERA and WHIP numbers, and he can even help you out in the wins and strikeouts category. Add in the possibility of acquiring 25+ saves, and you have a middle reliever with some pretty staggering value. Draft him late, and enjoy the production and support he will provide your staff.

George Sherrill, Baltimore Orioles