Are closers overrated?

[wwharton]

Re: Are closers overrated?

Closers are not overrated. The comparison to the 1st inning makes no sense either unless you plan on using 6 to 9 pitchers every game. Closers need to have a different skill set and mindset to be successful. Of course there are pitchers that could start or close but that doesn't mean every pitcher can... not by a long shot. The example of the Cards only being a game and a half out of first is a bad example too. Basically you're saying that if they had a shutdown closer they'd be in first. There are only a handful of teams that make it to the post season so the difference between 1st and 2nd place is much more important in the MLB.

Great closers pretty much turn a 9 inning game into an 8 inning game. If you've got a dominant setup guy then it's a 7 inning game. Along the lines of what someone else mentioned, bad closers' save stats are overrated but good closers turn contenders into playoff teams.

[djep]

Re: Are closers overrated?

Like others I agree the save stat is way overrated. 3 run lead in the 9th? If you can't close that out you don't deserve to be in the big leagues. But I don't agree with bringing in closers in the 7th unless you're willing to pitch them in the 8th and 9th as well.

1) Games are not really on the line in the 7th. You've still got 2 more innings (or 3 if you're at home) at bat and there's nothing worse than blowing a game in the 9th. It's just heartbreaking to lose that way. I've never felt like a game was lost after the 7th unless my team gets totally battered in the inning.

2) Players get very accustomed to their roles. Some players don't like to bat out of their usual spot in the order, some closers don't like coming in to tie games or they get bombed when they're brought in to a blowout game when they're just trying to get their work in. Some guys need the adrenaline of knowing the game is on the line, do-or-die, Rick Vaughn style, insert cliche here.

[bukktown]

Re: Are closers overrated?

A good pitcher and an average pitcher can both be successful in the role.

I would say the average pitcher was over-rated and the good pitcher was not.

[rsox]

Re: Are closers overrated?

A good pitcher and an average pitcher can both be successful in the role.

I would say the average pitcher was over-rated and the good pitcher was not.

Tim McCarver is that you?.

[bukktown]

Re: Are closers overrated?

Tim McCarver is that you?.

lol thems fightin words!

I was just thinking about Matt Capps and Joe Nathan. Capps might have numbers this year similar to Nathan past years.

Capps = avg
Nathan = good (pre-injury)