Atomic RoadRunners | Andrew Flynn’s High-Energy Fantasy Baseball

Giants RP Brian Wilson entered Monday’s game against the Tigers in a non-save situation in the ninth inning, but almost turned it into a save situation for another pitcher. Wilson was pitching with a 8-4 lead and loaded the bases with one out. He struck out Edgar Renteria before Curtis Granderson slapped a two-run single into left. Wilson worked out of trouble by getting Placido Polanco to ground out to end the game. Wilson allowed three hits, two runs and one walk while striking out two. Wilson had managed nine straight scoreless appearances before Monday’s outing. He has a 4.40 ERA, but still leads the NL with 19 saves. Even with the Giants’ suspect offense, Wilson might have a chance for a good number of saves the rest of the way. Use him as a No. 2 Fantasy RP. (CBS Sports)

After failing to record a save since May 29, Brian Wilson notched his third save in five days on Thursday. Although he’s bound to go through dry periods as San Francisco’s closer, Wilson still leads all NL relievers with 19 saves (in 21 attempts). (Rotowire)

Giants closer Brian Wilson worked 1 1/3 perfect innings for his 18th save Monday at Washington. He has saved back-to-back games and pitched 6 1/3 straight hitless innings. Wilson looks like he’s turned the corner in his development as a closer and, with the Giants’ suspect offense, might have a chance for a good number of saves the rest of the way. Use him as a No. 2 Fantasy RP. (CBS Sports)

Brian Wilson recorded his 17h save of the season Sunday, working a scoreless ninth inning to help protect the Giants’ 6-3 win over the Nationals. Wilson allowed just a walk and struck out one, lowering his ERA to 4.26 in the process. He’s firmly entrenched as San Francisco’s closer. (Rotowire)

Brian Wilson picked up his NL-leading 12th save during the Giants’ win Tuesday. Working a perfect ninth inning, Wilson lowered his season ERA to 3.18 in the outing. He’s recorded a save in a remarkable 71 percent of the Giants’ victories this season. Wilson has only three saves in May after recording nine in April. With the Giants a struggling ballclub, he’ll go through inconsistent stretches, but since the team succeeds with pitching rather than hitting, he might end up recording a decent number of saves by season’s end. Think of him as a No. 2 Fantasy closer. (Rotowire, CBS Sports)

Giants closer Brian Wilson bailed himself out for his 11th save in 13 chances Sunday against the Phillies. He forgot to cover first base on a ground ball, allowing Gregg Dobbs to reach on an infield single. But the next batter, Jimmy Rollins, hit a chopper right back to Wilson, who started a game-ending double play. He also struck out a batter in the scoreless inning. Wilson hadn’t recorded a save since May 3. He has been mostly effective as the Giants closer and might continue to surprise with his save total since the Giants don’t figure to score many runs, keeping games close. Use him as a No. 2 Fantasy closer. Wilson now sports a 3.38 ERA with a 17:8 K:BB ratio over 16 innings this season. (Rotowire, CBS Sports)

Giants closer Brian Wilson didn’t have to wait long for a chance to protect a one-run lead. Bengie Molina singled in the go-ahead run in the 10th inning, and Wilson closed out a 3-2 win at Philadelphia on Saturday, recording one walk and one strikeout. On Friday, the Phillies beat the Giants 6-5 on Pat Burrell’s two-run homer off Wilson with two outs in the bottom of the 10th. “I was thinking about the situation since last night,” Wilson said. “I wanted it bad. I didn’t want to have to wait until (Sunday) or Tuesday. I kind of wanted a doubleheader last night.” Wilson, who has 10 saves in 12 opportunities, got an immediate opportunity to right himself. “That was big. We wanted to be a situation where we can get him right back out there,” manager Bruce Bochy said. “He settled down after the one walk.” While the Giants might not win many games this season, they also won’t score many runs. With a good starting rotation to keep games close, Wilson might get an opportunity to save more games than the typical closer on a losing team. Consider him a No. 2 Fantasy RP. (CBS Sports)

Giants RP Brian Wilson issues a leadoff walk to Todd Helton in the ninth inning Wednesday against the Rockies, but retired the next three hitters — including Matt Holliday and Garret Atkins — to record his ninth save in a 3-2 win. Wilson had a strikeout for his fourth save since April 23. Wilson’s nine saves are the most for any Giants pitcher before May 1 since Robb Nen also had nine in 1999. Rod Beck had 11 in 1997. Wilson has lowered his ERA to 2.92 and is starting to look like a decent closer. Treat Wilson as a No. 2 Fantasy RP while he is racking up saves. (CBS Sports)

Giants closer Brian Wilson worked the ninth inning of a win Monday against the Rockies despite not having an opportunity to earn a save. He allowed two hits and recorded three strikeouts. He has allowed only one run in his last nine appearances. Wilson has a pretty high WHIP, but a couple of particularly bad performances account for it. He’s getting the job done for the Giants right now, but they’ll have to keep winning for you to trust him in Fantasy. For now, he’s a No. 2 Fantasy closer. (CBS Sports)

Closer Brian Wilson continues to post impressive save totals for the suddenly contending Giants. He recorded his eighth save in nine chances Friday against the Reds, striking out one in a perfect inning of work. He has allowed only one run in his last eight appearances. Wilson entered with one runner on and a two-run lead with the middle of Cincinnati’s order due up, so it was a high stress situation. He’s still battling control problems this year, but so far he’s proven to be a bargain in fantasy leagues. Wilson has a pretty high WHIP, but a couple of particularly bad performances account for it. He’s getting the job done for the Giants right now, but they’ll have to keep winning for you to trust him in Fantasy. For now, he’s a No. 2 Fantasy closer. (CBS Sports)

Giants RP Brian Wilson recorded his second straight save in as many days when he closed the book on a 1-0 win Thursday against the Padres. Wilson didn’t have as much trouble Thursday as he did Wednesday, when he loaded the bases twice in a 3-2 win. Wilson did allow a two-out walk Thursday, but also struck out two. He has seven saves in eight chances. Wilson now has scoreless outings in six of his last seven appearances. By no stretch of the imagination is Wilson a dominant closer. He makes things interesting more often than not and it could get him in trouble down the road. Heck, he might even lose his job. However, he is still the team’s closer at this time and a No. 3 Fantasy RP. (CBS Sports)

The Padres loaded the bases with no outs in the bottom of the 10th inning Wednesday against Giants RP Brian Wilson before rookie Colt Morton hit a sacrifice fly for his first RBI. Trailing 3-2, Khalil Greene flied out to center and Josh Bard walked to load the bases again. Tadahito Iguchi grounded out to end the game. Wilson got his sixth save in seven chances. He allowed two hits, one run and two walks. Wilson had been doing well up until Wednesday with five straight scoreless outings. By no stretch of the imagination is Wilson a dominant closer. He makes things interesting more often than not and it could get him in trouble down the road. Heck, he might even lose his job. However, he is still the team’s closer at this time and a No. 3 Fantasy RP. Wilson gave up two hits and walked two more without striking anybody out. He now has a 5:5 K:BB ratio which is making not only his own manager nervous but fantasy ones as well. (Rotowire, CBS Sports)

Giants closer Brian Wilson allowed just a hit while pitching the ninth inning Saturday at St. Louis for his fifth save of the season. Wilson has saves in back-to-back games, which means he could be rested on Sunday even if the team does have a save situation. He had some struggles in a few of his early outings this season is why he has an inflated 3.68 ERA. However, he has looked more like a reliable closer in his last few outings and Fantasy owners can breath a little easier. He remains a No. 3 Fantasy closer in mixed leagues at this time. (CBS Sports)

Brian Wilson picked up his third save of the season Sunday, tossing a scoreless ninth inning during the Giants’ 7-4 win over the Cardinals. Giants RP Brian Wilson pitched the ninth inning Sunday against the Cardinals to earn his third save in four chances for despite giving up back-to-back singles to start the inning. The Giants closer got out of the jam by striking out Ludwick and Chris Duncan before Rico Washington flew out to center to end the game. Since Tyler Walker struggled Saturday, Wilson ’s leash is a little longer. (Rotowire)

Giants RP Brian Wilson wasn’t expecting to get in any work Thursday against the Cardinals as San Francisco led 5-0 heading into the ninth inning. However, Brad Hennessey ran into trouble. He allowed one run on two hits and one walk in a 1/3 of an inning before giving way to Wilson, who inherited runners on first and second. However, Wilson got Adam Kennedy to ground into a fielder’s choice and got pinch-hitter Rico Washington looking on a 3-2 pitch to end the game. Wilson got his second save and lowered his ERA to 7.36. Wilson really needed a confidence boost after getting beat up in his previous two starts. For now, Wilson remains a No. 3 Fantasy closer since he pitches for a bad team. (CBS Sports)

Brian Wilson attributed his early season struggles to a minor flaw in his pitching mechanics that he believes is simple to correct, the Giants’ official site reports. Wilson, who blew a save Tuesday and sports a 9.00 ERA on the season, pointed out that he’s not landing consistently with his front (left) foot as he follows through with his motion. Wilson acknowledged that he thrives on work, like most relievers, and his activity has been sporadic thus far. The Giants will likely stick with him, but if he doesn’t turn it around, Tyler Walker and Merkin Valdez are the alternatives. (Rotowire)