Quote:
Originally Posted by JayP
I thought a younger guy like Farrell would be a refreshing change with his bullpen management, but clearly it's just going to be more of the slave to the save stuff we've see for years here.
Why you decide to go with Janssen, who was called up from AAA just days before, to get you out of a 2-out jam in the 8th instead of Rauch is beyond me. That situation right there is the game - not the ridiculously easy 3-run lead save situation. The Jays won in spite of it, but bullpen management like this will cost the Jays games this year and their margin for error is razor thin is they want a sniff at the playoffs.
|
It's all mental, repetition and being consistent. Its much easier and better to have a Closer know that the 9th inning is his. 1,2 or 3 run lead, 1,2,3 or 7,8,9 hitters due up. That way they know, 9th inning is their domain and the other factors are not controllable (so why worry more).
Its also why so many teams now try to have an 8th inning "Setup" guy so they too, can have a more consistent schedule of work. I'm sure if you asked Veteran Closers about this, they'd prefer coming in at the start of the 8th and getting 6 outs vs. being asked 2x a week to come into a "8th inning 1,2 out Jam". These are Vets that have done this for 5+ years, imagine bringing in someone unproven or new to the role (like a Rauch), those Blown Saves would pile on early and often, bound to affect them the entire season. Even if you blow an 8th inning lead, you can still take back lead or win in the 9th, that is why shuting the 9th down is of MOST importance.