Quote:
Originally Posted by GirlySports
It's a tough decision. it's a risk using Rauch to get 4 outs in the first game of an important 4 game series. Closers are delicate and don't like going more than an inning. If Rauch comes in and blows it, not only do the Jays lose the game but he's less effective because it's in his head and he's tired. The bullpen becomes ruined for the whole weekend.
As you said, the margin for error is razor thin. It's going to be a roller coaster all year.
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It's actually not a tough decision at all. It's just a question of using rational thought instead of traditional baseball logic.
How are closers delicate? I don't see how being the guy assigned to pitch the 9th inning of ball games makes them any different than any other reliever.
Either way, I don't care if Rauch can only get 3 outs. Have him get the 3rd out of the 8th and the 1st and 2nd of the 9th if the guy is so fragile that pitching more than an inning will ruin his career. It would give your team the best chance of winning which is what should be most important to the players, not accumulating saves. Then let whatever mediocre reliever you want get the final out in the 9th with 2 outs.
Relievers are just as capable as getting 4-6 outs as there were 10-20+ years ago. The difference is the ridiculous save stat (which should be abolished) and how it gets guys paid. It's baffling that managers still manage around it though because an obvious case of putting personal numbers ahead of the team.