Perhaps the most overwhelmingly under-used positions in the game of fantasy is the relief pitcher. Sure, every team has some closers on their rosters, but not every team decides to utilize the elite middle relievers on their squads. Guys like Rafael Soriano, Takashi Saito, Jon Rauch and Todd Coffey have proved to be bona fide quality options in even regular mixed Rotisserie leagues. In this edition of Inside the Numbers, we’ll go through the stat leaders among primarily relief pitchers and see which guys stand out.

Relief Wins:

1. Oscar Villarreal, RP ATL 6-0, 4.36 ERA
2T. Armando Benitez, RP SF 3-0, 2 S, 0.96 ERA
2T. Scott Cassidy, RP SD 3-2, 1.85 ERA
2T. Francisco Cordero, RP TEX 3-2, 3 S, 6.33 ERA
2T. David Cortes, RP COL 3-0, 2.12 ERA
2T. Fernando Rodney, RP DET 3-1, 6 S, 1.37 ERA
2T. Takashi Saito, RP LA 3-2, 1 S, 2.74 ERA
2T. Mike Timlin, RP BOS 3-0, 0.97 ERA
2T. Billy Wagner, RP NYM 3-0, 9 S, 3.34 ERA
2T. Mike Wood, RP KC 3-0, 3.21 ERA

Nobody could have predicted Villarreal could have had six victories in the first two months of the season out of the pen. However his ERA (4.35), WHIP (1.65) and strikeouts (13) are nothing spectacular. Saito will remain in his late inning setup role when Eric Gagne returns. In his first two months in the majors, he’s compiled a 2.63 ERA, 28-6 K-BB ratio and a microscopic 0.88 WHIP. The Padres have a slew of strong fantasy options out of their pen, including Trevor Hoffman (8-for-8 in save chances, 1.13 ERA), Scott Cassidy (1.85 ERA, 24-8 K-BB ratio in 23 IP), Brian Sweeney (2.49 ERA in 16 G) and Scott Linebrink (3.13 ERA, 19-6 K-BB ratio). Rodney has been a worthy starting option as well, closing six games out and winning another three. Todd Jones is 14-for-15 in save opportunities, but Rodney has been more impressive of the two. Opponents are hitting .321 vs. Jones and just .121 vs. Rodney.

Relief Strikeouts:

1. Francisco Liriano, RP/SP MIN 37 K in 27 1/3 IP, 12.2 K/9 IP
2. J.J. Putz, RP SEA 33 K in 23 IP, 12.9 K/9 IP
3. Jorge Julio, RP NYM 32 K in 20 1/3 IP, 14.2 K/9 IP
4. Billy Wagner, RP NYM 30 K in 21 1/3 IP, 12.7 K/9 IP
5. Rafael Soriano, RP SEA 28 K in 25 1/3 IP, 9.9 K/9 IP
6. Brad Lidge, RP HOU 28 K in 20 1/3 IP, 12.4 K/9 IP
7. Takashi Saito, RP LA 27 K in 23 IP, 10.6 K/9 IP
8. Tom Gordon, RP PHI 26 K in 18 2/3 IP, 12.5 K/9 IP
9. Ambiorix Burgos, RP KC 26 K in 20 1/3 IP, 11.5 K/9 IP
10. Jon Rauch, RP WAS 25 K in 27 IP, 8.3 K/9 IP

Liriano has finally been inserted into the starting rotation and might never leave it again. He’s got the stuff to be an ace and was spectacular out of the pen in the first couple months. Putz, who has done a nice job closing for Seattle, and Julio have also been on a strikeout tear in the late innings. Lidge ranks among the leaders in relief strikeouts (28), but also leads the position with 16 walks. 6’11” Jon Rauch is proving he’s a valuable piece out of the Nationals bullpen. He’s sporting a 1.67 ERA with a respectable 25-9 K-BB ratio.

Relief ERA (min. 20 IP) :

1. Jonathan Papelbon, RP BOS 0.40 ERA, 22 1/3 IP
2. B.J. Ryan, RP TOR 0.43 ERA, 21 IP
3. Todd Coffey, RP CIN 0.70 ERA, 25 2/3 IP
4. Scot Shields, RP LAA 1.07 ERA, 25 1/3 IP
5. Aaron Heilman, RP NYM 1.42 ERA, 25 1/3 IP
6. Jon Rauch, RP WAS 1.67 ERA, 27 IP
7. Scot Eyre, RP CHC 1.69 ERA, 21 1/3 IP
8. Kenny Ray, RP ATL 1.71 ERA, 21 IP
9. Scott Proctor, RP NYY 1.84 ERA, 29 1/3 IP
10. Scott Cassidy, RP SD 1.85 ERA, 24 1/3 IP

Proctor added a sinker to his repertoire this season and has become more effective. Until he surrendered four runs in Tuesday’s game against Boston, he had put registered a 1.84 ERA in his first 20 appearances as a reliever. His walk totals are still a bit high, but he’s proven to be one of the better middle relieves in the game this season. Heilman is capable of starting for the Mets, especially since they’ve been dismantled with injuries, but manager Willie Randolph just thinks he’s too valuable in the late inning setup role. Along with Duaner Sanchez (1.98 ERA in 27 1/3 IP), Julio and Wagner, the Mets have one of the better bullpens around. If Coffey is still out there in your leagues, he should have the closer’s job within time. Even in his setup role, he’s a viable fantasy option with his shutdown numbers.

Other Strong Relief Options:

• Bob Howry, RP CHC 2.18 ERA, 20 1/3 IP, 14-2 K-BB ratio
• Jose Capellan, RP MIL 0.97 WHIP, 24 2/3 IP
• Josh Hancock, RP STL 2.02 ERA, 0.99 WHIP, 22 1/3 IP
• Duaner Sanchez, RP NYM 1.98 ERA, 1.02 WHIP, 27 1/3 IP
• Scott Linebrink, RP SD 3.27 ERA, 1.05 WHIP, 22 IP
• Elmer Dessens, RP KC 2.74 ERA, 22-4 K-BB ratio