The hardest part of fantasy baseball is having absolutely no control over the decisions a real-life major league manager makes.

For several weeks, ever since Troy Percival struggled and then ended up on the disabled list, we’ve been hearing how no relief pitcher has stepped up in the Tampa Bay Rays bullpen to claim the job. Well, Rays manager Joe Maddon hasn’t given the closer job to any of his pitchers — that much is true, but the bullpen has actually been home to one of the game’s best relief pitchers for more than a year.

His name is J.P Howell, and he leaves tonight’s game with a 2.36 ERA, 33 strikeouts, and 9 walks in 25.2 innings. If that’s not impressive enough, consider last year: a 2.22 ERA, 94 strikeouts, and 33 walks in 80 innings.

So, why is this guy not getting more buzz? Well, he’s unlucky enough to have been born a lefty. 

So what? This year, right-handed batters are hitting .150 against him. Last year, they batted .197. In 281 innings of major league play, he shows no noticeable splits against left-handed hitters or right-handed hitters.

The Toronto Blue Jays were wise enough this year to hand the closers role to left-handed pitcher Scott Downs, who has rewarded the team with a 2.35 ERA and seven saves in 8 opportunities.

Maybe Joe Maddon will eventually figure this out, but we recommend that everyone pick up J.P. Howell, because whether or not he gets the closer role, he’s shown that he can be extremely valuable.