Who Gets Next Save Opportunity?

[Aristotelian]

I've been defending Buck/Tommy up until now. I am ready for a change. I am still pissed off in the moment, so I reserve the right to feel differently tomorrow, but right now I cannot trust Tommy with a one run lead.

I am with the people on the board advocating the "no closer role" position. By that logic, you can't say who will get the call. I want O'Day against Cabrera, Hunter, and Kinsler, whether they bat in the 8th or 9th. If we have used O'Day, I would go with Webb against righties, Zach against lefties.

[yeoledugger]

After the home run, you could see it in Tommy's face that he has now lost confidence in himself as closer. Buck must now identify who his new closer will be if not by "committee".

[tntoriole]

I want Darren ODay. He throws strikes and gives up fewer homeruns than Boom Boom.

[El Gordo]

I think Buck will go to Hunter one more time. After that if he blows another one I would bet Britton or maybe Preston. I like O'Day as a fireman. But who knows, we could have Gausman and Gonzo in the pen.

[Orioles0615]

I still want to try Gonzo as closer. But it will probably be Hunter

[oriole]

I still want to try Gonzo as closer. But it will probably be Hunter

That would be an interesting idea if that was a reason for Gausman's call up.

[VeveJones007]

It will be O'Day, unless Buck needs to use him in the 7th or 8th. In that case, it will be Britton.

[Jonesy10]

Use a combo of O'Day/Webb or Britton/Matusz. O'Day and Britton should be the first two choices. But I would feel comfortable with any of those pitchers with the right matchups. Let Hunter pitch in the situations he did last year until he turns it around.

[Roll Tide]

The French guy.

That's who I want ...but it's Hunter

[Guest]

Anyone but Hunter

[PA724_Oriole]

Bring back Aceves. Haha

[olehippi]

Guilmet, the only pitcher with extensive closing experience (94 games in the minors), just got sent back to Norfolk to make room for Gausman. Gausman better pitch a 9 inning shutout tomorrow and throw less than 80 pitches or we are doomed.

But here's my take on Hunter. He is not suited for a closer. Not everyone can make that adjustment. He was, however, an excellent set-up man. Put him back in a position where he can do well and help the team.

Hunter has pitched in 17 games, with 11 saves. But he has 4 blown saves, including a game where he got the win after the Orioles came back in the 10th. In 15 innings he has allowed 24 base runners. I would made a wager that there are six other relievers in the BP who, had they been brought in to close, would have delivered 1-2-3 innings in at least half those games......and maybe not blown the saves.

[Ripken]

It'll be Hunter. The fact that he's been terrible in the role apparently isn't enough to get him out of it.

[Jonesy10]

FWIW I think the fact that they were interested in Balfour and Axford in the offseason and didn't name Hunter closer until the last moment speaks to the fact they weren't 100% sold on him as closer.

[russ snyder]

It's going to be Hunter.