Sleeper of the Week

Heads up, 6×6 owners: Chad Bradford is back after missing the first three and a half months of the season following back surgery. But not only will he finally return to the mound - he’ll also be taking his act across the country from Oakland to Boston, where he should have plenty of opportunities to rack up holds.

Last year, Bradford’s performance slipped a bit. His K/BB ratio dropped from 2.07 to 1.42, and his ERA swelled from 3.04 to 4.42. After notching 24 holds in 2002 and 23 the following season, he only recorded 14 in 2004. His WHIP remained nearly unchanged from the previous season, however, rising just one point from 1.26 to 1.27.

Watch closely to see how well Bradford pitches when he returns. If his control looks solid, don’t hesitate to add him to your bullpen. The submariner should provide you with solid overall numbers while serving as an excellent source for holds after the break. The Red Sox will hand the ball to their new reliever often, and on a team playing .563 ball, those frequent appearances should translate into quite a few holds - and hopefully, points in your roto standings.