2024 Major League Baseball season (Page 25 of 91)

Just to add to this explanation, the starting pitcher is also responsible for anyone he puts on base.
Example: A starting pitcher throws a shut out through 8 2/3 innings, is winning 1-0, walks two guys and is pulled from the game. The relief pitcher comes in and gives up a double and both runs score to end the game...those runs are the responsibility of the starter and he gets the loss.

This can get a little convoluted sometimes. A starting pitcher for a home team could be up 3-0, be pulled at the top of the ninth inning, have the relief pitcher come in and give up 3 runs to tie the score. If the home team scores in the bottom of the ninth to win the game, guess who gets the win? Well, the starter was no longer the pitcher of record once he left the game and the opposition came back to tie the score. Even though he gave up 3 runs, the reliever gets the win.
There was a former relief pitcher in the 1960's named Phil Reagan, who gained the nickname "The Vulture" because of how often he would get wins this way.

Ok, I've got another question: what's with this having one pitcher 'close' the 7th inning, another 'close' the 8th, and yet another come on for the 9th? This seems crazy to me when, for example like last night, the Nat's 8th inning pitcher (Clippard) did a brilliant job and got three outs with maybe 15 pitches, and then has to make way for a guy (Rodriguez) who had a major meltdown the night before. Why?

To further enlighten and confuse you George, the amount of work each relief man has had recently has a lot to do with it too. Pitch count is king now and a starter is usually pulled with around 100-110 pitches if he has been effective. There is a theory that the total pitches per season is a limiting factor on arm longevity and injury reduction, especially with young starters. Relievers are rotated in the bullpen to allow the arm to recover since they may be called up on successive games. They usually are good for 20 or 25 pitches per game. There are also long relievers that can come in if a starter is not good on any given night. They are used for 3-5 innings. A very big part of a manager's job is keeping the pitching staff effective and healthy over the grueling length of a season.
Rick

Besides the injury stats, there is the thought that most starters arms get tired after 110 or so pitches and there is a loss of velocity as well as control. Hitters in the late innings improve timing as well after seeing the pitcher several times and are more likely to have dialed in the starter unless he has great stuff. Bringing in a fresh arm with a different approach can offset the late inning hitter's advantage to protect a lead. The batters are also shifted around as relievers are brought in and defensive changes/pinch hitter subs can be made with better planning. Great managers are consistent winners for a good reason.

Yeah, the Padres are death on ace pitchers, 2 vs Halladay and now Strasburg. Too bad about the rest of them. I guess it is better to have his pants on fire than his arm. Rumors floating that Tony Gwynn might head up a group of investors to buy the team.
Rick

Exactly this was my point.

Interleague play is upon us, or at least for some teams. Atlanta goes to the Rays this weekend, next month we have the Yankees, Jays, and O's coming to our house. We drew some tough matchups from the AL east, can I get a reschedule with maybe KC and White Sox?

I was at the Cubs-White Sox game today. When we arrived at the park, we found out that Kerry Wood had announced that he was retiring. The info we got was that they were going to let Wood pitch another game or two, which seemed odd.
So Wood comes in with one out in the 8th inning, Cubs down 3-2 with a runner on first, strikes out the only batter he faces with a 78 mph change-up right after throwing a 96 mph fastball. The entire infield comes to the mound as they pull Wood, handshakes, hugs and high fives. The runner on first base doffs his cap toward Wood and it appeared that he was getting recognition from the Sox dugout. As he approaches the dugout, his son (who looks like hes 6 or 7) runs into daddy's arms. They walked off to a thunderous standing ovation.
Kerry Wood retired today and it was as an emotional moment as I've ever witnessed in a baseball game. What a great guy...he wanted to finish his career in Chicago and took considerably less money to come here than he could have got elsewhere.
His rookie season was a thing of beauty and (unfortunately), probably his best year.
Thanks for the memories Kerry!