Fantasy Baseball: Five Hottest Second-Half AL Central RP

Jul 5, 2015; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Royals pitcher Wade Davis (17) delivers a pitch against the Minnesota Twins during the eighth inning at Kauffman Stadium. The Royals won 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports

It’s hard to believe, but the second half of the season is well over a month old. That means most of the best relief pitchers in baseball have made at least 10 appearances in the second half.

Although that isn’t a huge sample size, it is enough to compose a list of hottest relief pitchers in the AL Central.

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One would think this list would be full of big names like Greg Holland, Glen Perkins, Wade Davis and maybe even Joakim Soria if one decided to include his work before the deadline. Just one of those names, however, is on our list.

Here are the top five hottest relief pitchers in the American League Central since the All-Star break:

Jul 19, 2015; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cleveland Indians pitcher Jeff Manship throws against the Cincinnati Reds in the tenth inning at Great American Ball Park. The Indians won 5-3 in 11 innings. Mandatory Credit: David Kohl-USA TODAY Sports

Jeff Manship, Cleveland Indians

Manship didn’t make his 2015 debut until June 19, so he only has 20 innings under his belt this season, but he has been stellar in those frames. The right-hander has a 1.35 ERA and 0.65 WHIP in his 16 appearances.

Since the All-Star break, Manship has thrown 12 innings and allowed just two runs. That gives him a 1.50 ERA, 0.75 WHIP and 7.50 K/9.

Any fantasy owner in need of middle relief help should immediately grab Manship.

Aug 6, 2015; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Tigers relief pitcher Alex Wilson (30) makes a throw to first in the ninth inning against the Kansas City Royals at Comerica Park. Detroit won 8-6. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

Alex Wilson, Detroit Tigers

Detroit fans can’t be too surprised that manager Brad Ausmus wants to give Bruce Rondon another chance at the closer role, but Wilson sure is making it a difficult decision.

Wilson has allowed just one run since the break, giving him a 0.73 ERA over the last month. He also has a 0.89 WHIP and 5.11 K/9.

The right-hander has notched two saves, a victory and hold over that span as well.

Wilson’s recent hot streak has dropped his ERA to 1.83 and his WHIP to 1.00 on the season.

Aug 1, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago White Sox relief pitcher Zach Putnam (57) delivers a pitch during the eighth inning against the New York Yankees at U.S Cellular Field. Chicago won 8-2. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports

Zach Putnam, Chicago White Sox

After posting a 1.98 ERA last season, Putnam has disappointed his fantasy owners with an ERA that was hovering around 4.00 at the All-Star break.

Since then, though, Putnam has been able to drop that ERA down to 3.00. In his last 10 2/3 frames, he has yielded just one run on seven hits. Over that stretch, he owns a 0.84 ERA and 1.03 WHIP. Putnam has also posted a 10.13 K/9.

Unfortunately, he doesn’t receive many save or hold opportunities. He has just one hold in his last eight appearances.

Jul 19, 2015; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cleveland Indians relief pitcher Zach McAllister throws against the Cincinnati Reds in the 11th inning at Great American Ball Park. The Indians won 5-3. Mandatory Credit: David Kohl-USA TODAY Sports

Zach McAllister, Cleveland Indians

Unlike his teammate Manship, McAllister has pitched the whole season and has posted the best numbers of his career.

He is 3-3 with a 2.83 ERA in 54 innings this season, but since the break, McAllister has a 1.64 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and an incredible 12.27 K/9.

McAllister has earned two holds, a victory and save since the Mid-Summer Classic as well.