63 Kevin Gregg, RP

I've been doubtful of Kevin Gregg's ability to hold down the Cubs' closer job, but to be fair, he's done nothing in his 10 appearances to lose the faith of the Fantasy owners who claimed him. Gregg has yet to allow a run, and he has 12 strikeouts over 9 1/3 innings.

If you're a Kyuji Fujikawa owner, though, don't drop the closer-in-waiting just yet. Gregg has faced only 34 batters so far, and there's plenty of statistical wackiness that can occur in such a small sample. Gregg is throwing only 60 percent of his pitches for strikes, and he has a lengthy track record that speaks to his command issues. And while Gregg has yet to allow a baserunner to score, he has never been especially good at stranding the runners he puts on.

It might be unfair to punish Gregg for his past record, but it's equally inadvisable to put much stock in his current stats that go against the grain of his prior trends. When shopping for a closer, first see if you can land one who has had success over a longer period. I'd still trust Bobby Parnell or Steve Cishek more than Gregg, and both are still available in many leagues.

Cubs reliever Kevin Gregg has scrapped his cut fastball this year.

Gregg has been a huge surprise with the Cubs. Through 9 1/3 innings, Gregg has yet to allow a run and already has six saves. The cutter hasn't been a great pitch for him in the past, but he used it close to 25 percent of the time the last three seasons. Gregg is throwing his fastball more often as a result. Over his career, Gregg's fastball has a 6.9 pitch value according to FanGraphs.com, making it his best offering. 

Gregg has been able to pitch effectively this year, and has played his way into the Cubs' closer role. Given the state of the team's bullpen, he could have somewhat of a long leash if he begins to struggle. 

Cubs reliever Kevin Gregg earned his sixth save with a clean inning, including two strike outs, Sunday against Washington.

He has allowed three hits this season and his ERA is perfect in 10 appearances (9 1/3 innings).

Cubs closer Kevin Gregg received a vote of confidence from his manager Tuesday, and is not expected to give up his role even when the team's other options come back from injury.

It's probably about time for Fantasy owners to begin looking at him in larger numbers, as his hold on the role seems strong.

Gregg is enjoying some kind of resurgence for the Cubs after wresting the closer's role away from Carlos Marmol. While Marmol never had a very strong grip on the role, it's impressive to see nonetheless. Gregg has five saves in five opportunities, and has yet to allow a run in 8 1/3 innings. He has 10 strikeouts and four walks on the season, and has allowed just three hits. He is getting plenty of help from a .176 batting average on balls in play, but Gregg is also clearly just throwing the ball better than he has in years.

Beware the small sample size, obviously, but Gregg has had success as a closer in the past. I don't feel super confident about it, but I just added Gregg to one of my rosters. But my other relievers are Steve Cishek, Heath Bell and Edward Mujica, so sometimes you've got to bite the bullet and take the risk that he keeps pitching well. If you've been playing the waiver wire for saves, you almost have to take a chance on a guy who has the backing of his club, even if it is a club that won't win much.

Don't expect him to be elite, or anything close, but most Fantasy owners in Roto formats will take a few saves every week if Gregg can avoid killing them in ERA and WHIP. 

Cubs manager Dale Sveum finally committed to Kevin Gregg as the team's closer Wednesday, and he expects Gregg to keep the role when Kyuji Fujikawa (forearm) comes off the disabled list.

"Gregg is our closer," Sveum said, per the Chicago Daily Herald.

Gregg is a perfect 5 for 5 in save chances and hasn't allowed a run in 7 1/3 innings since joining the Cubs' bullpen.