What are you doing with your closer when there are no save opportunities?

[geisterhome]

Lets say you are on a losing streak and/or a period where you win consecutive games by a big margin.What are you doing with your closer, Will you let him pitch in a late inning of a blowout loss or let him close a game that you win by a big margin?
How many days break would you give him max?

I figure that doesn't really matter too much in the game but I want to keep things realistic. Unfortunately I'm not entirely sure how this is handled in real life either, that's why I'm asking for advice here.

[JT30]

Re: What are you doing with your closer when there are no save opportunities?

In real life, giving a closer some work a couple times a week in non-save situations is typical. So maybe bringing him in at least once every 3 days, whether its a save situation or not, would be ok

[dickey1331]

I only bring my closer in when it's a save situation.

[Shibito]

Re: What are you doing with your closer when there are no save opportunities?

If I'm winning big, I like to give my relievers that have been pitching poorly some work, and I'll throw my closer in for his usual 9th inning from time to time.

[dingleberryfinn]

Re: What are you doing with your closer when there are no save opportunities?

What are you doing with your closer when there are no save opportunities?

He serves as the team scout to check out the stands for hot chicks.

But srsly, if I have a good closer but can't get enough appearances for him:

a)if it;s because I'm always way ahead & don't need him (which is never)
then I'd trade him for prospects.

or
b)if it's because I'm never ahead to get him saves, then I trade him for
an everyday player so I can get good enough to deserve a top-notch closer.

[jeremym480]

I only bring my closer in when it's a save situation.

I'll bring mine in late in games (in the 9th inning and on) especially in Home games when he won't get an opportunity for a Save.

Other than that he rides the proverbial pine.

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[vinny_pizza]

In real life, giving a closer some work a couple times a week in non-save situations is typical. So maybe bringing him in at least once every 3 days, whether its a save situation or not, would be ok

Ditto

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[Bobhead]

Re: What are you doing with your closer when there are no save opportunities?

I usually throw him in as a set up guy or something. If I have what feels like a critical inning, and my closer hasn't pitched in a while, I'll throw him out there.

[kehlis]

Re: What are you doing with your closer when there are no save opportunities?

Yea what jt30 said, and pretty much what you see from most teams.

If he hasn't pitched in 2 or 3 games (depends on days) then it is pretty much determined before the game that he is going to pitch the ninth regardless of the score with the only exception being a complete game shutout from the starter.

[xSiQ]

Re: What are you doing with your closer when there are no save opportunities?

Define save opportunity...

The rules of baseball credit a save to the pitcher that closes out the game with a lead of 3 or less runs, but there are many that believe real save situations occur in late innings (not necessarily the 9th) in a close game when the opposing team is threatening.
If I find it necessary to bring my closer, or any other pitcher, into the 7th or 8th inning to get out of a bases loaded jam, I would consider that to be a save opportunity.

In conclusion, even without save opportunities in the 9th I still find spots to use my closer.

[shadow2201]

Re: What are you doing with your closer when there are no save opportunities?

I just had to use my closer in a game where we were getting blown out because he is my most consistent pitcher and the rest of my bullpen was getting shelled! I usually use him if he hasn't pitched for awhile just to keep him fresh!

[KHarmo88]

Re: What are you doing with your closer when there are no save opportunities?

I don't let any reliever pitch more than 3 days in a row.

Also if my closer hasn't pitched in more than 3 days, I'll put him in regardless of the situation

[Armor and Sword]

Re: What are you doing with your closer when there are no save opportunities?

If I go 5 games without using him because of no save situations no matter what he will get work at the very minimum every by the 6th game. So 5 games is the longest I will let my closer go with no work.

That is a rare occurrence over the course of a 162 game season.

[geisterhome]

thanks to all of you guys, got some really good advices!

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[zukes]

Re: What are you doing with your closer when there are no save opportunities?

I will usually wait until the next save opportunity, but if my closer starts falling behind in innings I try to get him in more, because why is my best reliever throwing less innings than the rest of my bullpen?

Inevitably, when I bring my closer in to "get some work" a save situation presents itself the very next day. So what I try to do if I have an off day coming is make sure he pitches in the last game before an off day.

In my franchise, Janssen has thrown in three straight games (all saves) so no matter what he won't be going in my next game.