Zach Britton - No need for a closer

[weams]

He has 3 blown saves right? The first one if I remember right was due to a hit against the shift, then working the runner around the bases through productive outs. Basically "baseball"

The next one was just bad. He had no control and no break vs NYY. This you can call "blown"

The most recent was a broken bat, a dying duck, and a blast. That is "baseball"

So basically he has only been "Bad" once as closer.

I will take it. 10 out of 10 times.

I was in New York. As others here have suggested, that may skew my viewpoint. I have been impresses with his rebound. He may be a real closer.

[hendu]

I was in New York. As others here have suggested, that may skew my viewpoint. I have been impresses with his rebound. He may be a real closer.

It's good to be wrong once in awhile. It makes all the times that you're right even more impressive.

[Frobby]

While I am pleased that Britton had a dominant outing yesterday, I don't think you judge a pitcher on whether he has an occasional great outing. You judge him on whether he pitches well consistently. On that score, I think Britton has done very well, as his ERA (1.71), WHIP (0.89), BAA (.184) and OPSA (.504) all attest. Between his 7.9 K/9 and his 3.1 to 1 GB/FB ratio, it's very difficult to hit a Zach Britton pitch in the air. His save rate isn't spectacular right now (87%, basically league average for a closer), but a guy who puts up these kinds of numbers is going to save more than his share in the long run.

[Redskins Rick]

While I am pleased that Britton had a dominant outing yesterday, I don't think you judge a pitcher on whether he has an occasional great outing. You judge him on whether he pitches well consistently. On that score, I think Britton has done very well, as his ERA (1.71), WHIP (0.89), BAA (.184) and OPSA (.504) all attest. Between his 7.9 K/9 and his 3.1 to 1 GB/FB ratio, it's very difficult to hit a Zach Britton pitch in the air. His save rate isn't spectacular right now (87%, basically league average for a closer), but a guy who puts up these kinds of numbers is going to save more than his share in the long run.

It might be me, but Zach has had quite a few 1-2-3 games, when a closer can do this, this is pretty much lights out.

[NCRaven]

It might be me, but Zach has had quite a few 1-2-3 games, when a closer can do this, this is pretty much lights out.

He is the anti-Tommy Hunter. Even when closing games out, he scared you silly, often allowing multiple base runners before getting it done. Johnson was much the same, particularly in 2013. Next challenge for Zach is doing it in a late season playoff atmosphere and ultimately doing it long-term.

[OregonBird]

Today, he was everything you want from a closer. Throwing a 99 mph fastball and unhittable sinkers. We could have signed Rodney but didn't. Great decision. Rodney looked like a Britton wanna be. If we are to add to the bullpen, it should be someone who comes very cheaply. Another setup man. We have our closer imo.

Let me tell you that I was there in person for two games Rodney pitched. His whole schtick is even more annoying in person. I thought I was at a WWE event with the whole introduction and his "entrance" to the mound.

[MurphDogg]

Let me tell you that I was there in person for two games Rodney pitched. His whole schtick is even more annoying in person. I thought I was at a WWE event with the whole introduction and his "entrance" to the mound.

I don't understand how closers can have that much pomp and circumstance but if a hitter watches his home run go over the fence, he gets hit by a baseball at 90+ MPH in his next at-bat.

[Ruzious]

I'm very pleased with the job Britton has done this year. I was all for him being the closer from the outset. Why anyone thought "big game" Hunter could do it was a joke, that guy has done nothing but scare the hell out of me every time he has been on the mound. Zach has a ton of confidence in his stuff and thats what you need in a closer. We will see if he can continue this the whole year, and if he can respect to him.

Side Note: Would anyone be opposed to stretching him out next spring for one more try at starting?

Hunter would have been just fine if his arm hadn't gotten sore - probably from over-use. It was obvious there was something wrong when he was topping out at 95MPH. Johnson's problems were likely also related to over-use. That's the one thing I criticize Buck for.

[Frobby]

It might be me, but Zach has had quite a few 1-2-3 games, when a closer can do this, this is pretty much lights out.

By my count, of his 20 saves, Britton has not allowed a baserunner in 11 of those. One of those was in a one-out save, but the other 10 were 1-2-3. In 2012, JJ had 19 clean saves, with 1 that was less than 1 inning; in 2013, he had 18, with 1 less than 1 inning. So, Zach is doing very well considering he has had less than half the opportunities JJ had in each of the past two years.

I was actually a bit surprised that JJ had so many clean outings last year. It's a reminder that he actually was good most of the time, and just had a couple of periods where he went walkabout.

[BMann]

Does anyone know the last time an Orioles RP, protecting a 1-run lead in the 9th (or in extras), struck out the side without allowing a base-runner? I don't recall it happening anytime recently...

[MurphDogg]

Does anyone know the last time an Orioles RP, protecting a 1-run lead in the 9th (or in extras), struck out the side without allowing a base-runner? I don't recall it happening anytime recently...

The last time the Orioles had a pitcher finish a one-run victory throwing an inning and not allowing any baserunners while striking out 3 was George Sherrill on May 23, 2009.

[DrungoHazewood]

Does anyone know the last time an Orioles RP, protecting a 1-run lead in the 9th (or in extras), struck out the side without allowing a base-runner? I don't recall it happening anytime recently...

Here are all the instances of an Oriole reliever who 1) finished an Oriole win, and 2) struck out all three batters he faced in the last inning:

                                                                                                                                                                        Rk            Player           Date  Tm Opp   Rslt  AppDec  IP H R ER BB SO HR UER Pit Str GSc IR IS BF AB 2B 3B IBB HBP SH SF GDP SB CS PO BK WP  ERA   WPA  RE24   aLI1       Zach Britton     2014-07-27 BAL SEA  W 3-2 10-10fS 1.0 0 0  0  0  3  0   0  12       9  0  0  3  3  0  0   0   0  0  0   0  0  0  0  0  0 0.00 0.182 0.447 2.4802        Kevin Gregg     2012-08-25 BAL TOR  W 8-2    9-9f 1.0 0 0  0  0  3  0   0  16      11  0  0  3  3  0  0   0   0  0  0   0  0  0  0  0  0 0.00 0.003 0.506  .0333        Koji Uehara     2010-09-27 BAL TBR  W 4-0    9-9f 1.0 0 0  0  0  3  0   0  17      12  0  0  3  3  0  0   0   0  0  0   0  0  0  0  0  0 0.00 0.016 0.472  .2134    George Sherrill     2009-05-23 BAL WSN  W 2-1  9-9f S 1.0 0 0  0  0  3  0   0  14      10  0  0  3  3  0  0   0   0  0  0   0  0  0  0  0  0 0.00 0.198 0.493 2.6175          Chris Ray     2007-07-02 BAL CHW  W 7-6  9-9f S 1.0 0 0  0  0  3  0   0  15       9  0  0  3  3  0  0   0   0  0  0   0  0  0  0  0  0 0.00 0.224 0.572 2.8276          Chris Ray     2007-04-18 BAL TBD  W 6-4  9-9f S 1.0 0 0  0  0  3  0   0  19      12  0  0  3  3  0  0   0   0  0  0   0  0  0  0  0  0 0.00 0.100 0.539 1.2737          Chris Ray     2006-07-15 BAL TEX  W 8-1    9-9f 1.0 0 0  0  0  3  0   0  16      10  0  0  3  3  0  0   0   0  0  0   0  0  0  0  0  0 0.00 0.001 0.547  .0138          B.J. Ryan     2005-07-14 BAL SEA  W 5-3  9-9f S 1.0 0 0  0  0  3  0   0  16      12  0  0  3  3  0  0   0   0  0  0   0  0  0  0  0  0 0.00 0.091 0.501 1.1939          B.J. Ryan     2005-06-10 BAL CIN  W 4-3  9-9f S 1.0 0 0  0  0  3  0   0  13       9  0  0  3  3  0  0   0   0  0  0   0  0  0  0  0  0 0.00 0.202 0.507 2.65710         B.J. Ryan     2005-06-06 BAL PIT  W 4-3  9-9f S 1.0 0 0  0  0  3  0   0  14       9  0  0  3  3  0  0   0   0  0  0   0  0  0  0  0  0 0.00 0.200 0.501 2.63711       Jorge Julio     2004-09-03 BAL NYY  W 3-1  9-9f S 1.0 0 0  0  0  3  0   0  14      10  0  0  3  3  0  0   0   0  0  0   0  0  0  0  0  0 0.00 0.102 0.550 1.29312    Ryan Kohlmeier 2000-09-20 (1) BAL OAK  W 2-0  9-9f S 1.0 0 0  0  0  3  0   0  13       9  0  0  3  3  0  0   0   0  0  0   0  0  0  0  0  0 0.00 0.084 0.568 1.05313     Mike Trombley 2000-08-26 (2) BAL TBD  W 2-0  9-9f S 1.0 0 0  0  0  3  0   0  12      10  0  0  3  3  0  0   0   0  0  0   0  0  0  0  0  0 0.00 0.084 0.568 1.05314       Buddy Groom     2000-05-24 BAL SEA  W 4-3  9-9f W 1.0 0 0  0  0  3  0   0  17      11  0  0  3  3  0  0   0   0  0  0   0  0  0  0  0  0 0.00 0.151 0.568 1.90715     Arthur Rhodes     1999-06-09 BAL FLA  W 4-2  9-9f S 1.0 0 0  0  0  3  0   0  16      13  0  0  3  3  0  0   0   0  0  0   0  0  0  0  0  0 0.00 0.094 0.516 1.22316   Armando Benitez     1998-09-14 BAL TEX  W 1-0  9-9f S 1.0 0 0  0  0  3  0   0  16      10  0  0  3  3  0  0   0   0  0  0   0  0  0  0  0  0 0.00 0.174 0.555 2.21717   Armando Benitez     1998-09-13 BAL ANA W 12-7    9-9f 1.0 0 0  0  0  3  0   0  17      10  0  0  3  3  0  0   0   0  0  0   0  0  0  0  0  0 0.00 0.007 0.555  .09318   Armando Benitez     1998-09-08 BAL OAK  W 5-2  9-9f S 1.0 0 0  0  0  3  0   0  12      10  0  0  3  3  0  0   0   0  0  0   0  0  0  0  0  0 0.00 0.046 0.544  .58719       Randy Myers     1996-09-04 BAL CAL  W 4-2  9-9f S 1.0 0 0  0  0  3  0               0  0  0  3  3  0  0   0   0  0  0   0  0  0  0  0  0 0.00 0.111 0.590 1.37720       Randy Myers     1996-04-05 BAL MIN  W 2-1  9-9f S 1.0 0 0  0  0  3  0   0  15       9  0  0  3  3  0  0   0   0  0  0   0  0  0  0  0  0 0.00 0.236 0.608 2.92321        Doug Jones     1995-09-11 BAL BOS W 10-7  9-9f S 1.0 0 0  0  0  3  0   0  13      10  0  0  3  3  0  0   0   0  0  0   0  0  0  0  0  0 0.00 0.040 0.580  .49722       Gregg Olson     1993-07-31 BAL BOS  W 4-0    9-9f 1.0 0 0  0  0  3  0   0  11       9  0  0  3  3  0  0   0   0  0  0   0  0  0  0  0  0 0.00 0.017 0.549  .21023       Gregg Olson     1991-06-06 BAL TOR  W 6-4  9-9f S 1.0 0 0  0  0  3  0   0  12       9  0  0  3  3  0  0   0   0  0  0   0  0  0  0  0  0 0.00 0.070 0.479  .93024       Gregg Olson     1990-06-27 BAL CLE  W 6-3 10-10fW 1.0 0 0  0  0  3  0   0  13       9  0  0  3  3  0  0   0   0  0  0   0  0  0  0  0  0 0.00 0.131 0.469 1.76325         Ken Dixon     1987-05-14 BAL KCR  W 4-3  9-9f S 1.0 0 0  0  0  3  0               0  0  0  3  3  0  0   0   0  0  0   0  0  0  0  0  0 0.00 0.170 0.534 2.183Rk            Player           Date  Tm Opp   Rslt  AppDec  IP H R ER BB SO HR UER Pit Str GSc IR IS BF AB 2B 3B IBB HBP SH SF GDP SB CS PO BK WP  ERA   WPA  RE24   aLI26      Tim Stoddard     1983-07-20 BAL SEA  W 4-2  9-9f S 1.0 0 0  0  0  3  0               0  1  0  3  3  0  0   0   0  0  0   0  0  0  0  0  0 0.00 0.189 0.912 2.59027     Ernie Johnson 1959-04-26 (1) BAL NYY  W 5-4  9-9f S 1.0 0 0  0  0  3  0               0  0  0  3  3  0  0   0   0  0  0   0  0  0  0  0  0 0.00 0.189 0.467 2.540

Your very specific set of critera has only happened a handful of times: Britton, then Sherrill in '09, Benitez in '98, Randy Myers in '96, Ken Dixon in '87, and Ernie Johnson in '59. Dixon's happened during his infamous season where he allowed 31 homers in 105 innings. Edit...also BJ Ryan a couple times, as well as a Chris Ray game.

[Orioles4Life21]

Sometimes it's better to evaluate the process instead of the results. But I guess you're right. Andrew Friedman and Billy Beane and all of the intelligent people who work with them are probably just really stupid.

Obviously not but they can make mistakes from time to time just like everybody else.

[BMann]

Here are all the instances of an Oriole reliever who 1) finished an Oriole win, and 2) struck out all three batters he faced in the last inning:

                                                                                                                                                                        Rk            Player           Date  Tm Opp   Rslt  AppDec  IP H R ER BB SO HR UER Pit Str GSc IR IS BF AB 2B 3B IBB HBP SH SF GDP SB CS PO BK WP  ERA   WPA  RE24   aLI1       Zach Britton     2014-07-27 BAL SEA  W 3-2 10-10fS 1.0 0 0  0  0  3  0   0  12       9  0  0  3  3  0  0   0   0  0  0   0  0  0  0  0  0 0.00 0.182 0.447 2.4802        Kevin Gregg     2012-08-25 BAL TOR  W 8-2    9-9f 1.0 0 0  0  0  3  0   0  16      11  0  0  3  3  0  0   0   0  0  0   0  0  0  0  0  0 0.00 0.003 0.506  .0333        Koji Uehara     2010-09-27 BAL TBR  W 4-0    9-9f 1.0 0 0  0  0  3  0   0  17      12  0  0  3  3  0  0   0   0  0  0   0  0  0  0  0  0 0.00 0.016 0.472  .2134    George Sherrill     2009-05-23 BAL WSN  W 2-1  9-9f S 1.0 0 0  0  0  3  0   0  14      10  0  0  3  3  0  0   0   0  0  0   0  0  0  0  0  0 0.00 0.198 0.493 2.6175          Chris Ray     2007-07-02 BAL CHW  W 7-6  9-9f S 1.0 0 0  0  0  3  0   0  15       9  0  0  3  3  0  0   0   0  0  0   0  0  0  0  0  0 0.00 0.224 0.572 2.8276          Chris Ray     2007-04-18 BAL TBD  W 6-4  9-9f S 1.0 0 0  0  0  3  0   0  19      12  0  0  3  3  0  0   0   0  0  0   0  0  0  0  0  0 0.00 0.100 0.539 1.2737          Chris Ray     2006-07-15 BAL TEX  W 8-1    9-9f 1.0 0 0  0  0  3  0   0  16      10  0  0  3  3  0  0   0   0  0  0   0  0  0  0  0  0 0.00 0.001 0.547  .0138          B.J. Ryan     2005-07-14 BAL SEA  W 5-3  9-9f S 1.0 0 0  0  0  3  0   0  16      12  0  0  3  3  0  0   0   0  0  0   0  0  0  0  0  0 0.00 0.091 0.501 1.1939          B.J. Ryan     2005-06-10 BAL CIN  W 4-3  9-9f S 1.0 0 0  0  0  3  0   0  13       9  0  0  3  3  0  0   0   0  0  0   0  0  0  0  0  0 0.00 0.202 0.507 2.65710         B.J. Ryan     2005-06-06 BAL PIT  W 4-3  9-9f S 1.0 0 0  0  0  3  0   0  14       9  0  0  3  3  0  0   0   0  0  0   0  0  0  0  0  0 0.00 0.200 0.501 2.63711       Jorge Julio     2004-09-03 BAL NYY  W 3-1  9-9f S 1.0 0 0  0  0  3  0   0  14      10  0  0  3  3  0  0   0   0  0  0   0  0  0  0  0  0 0.00 0.102 0.550 1.29312    Ryan Kohlmeier 2000-09-20 (1) BAL OAK  W 2-0  9-9f S 1.0 0 0  0  0  3  0   0  13       9  0  0  3  3  0  0   0   0  0  0   0  0  0  0  0  0 0.00 0.084 0.568 1.05313     Mike Trombley 2000-08-26 (2) BAL TBD  W 2-0  9-9f S 1.0 0 0  0  0  3  0   0  12      10  0  0  3  3  0  0   0   0  0  0   0  0  0  0  0  0 0.00 0.084 0.568 1.05314       Buddy Groom     2000-05-24 BAL SEA  W 4-3  9-9f W 1.0 0 0  0  0  3  0   0  17      11  0  0  3  3  0  0   0   0  0  0   0  0  0  0  0  0 0.00 0.151 0.568 1.90715     Arthur Rhodes     1999-06-09 BAL FLA  W 4-2  9-9f S 1.0 0 0  0  0  3  0   0  16      13  0  0  3  3  0  0   0   0  0  0   0  0  0  0  0  0 0.00 0.094 0.516 1.22316   Armando Benitez     1998-09-14 BAL TEX  W 1-0  9-9f S 1.0 0 0  0  0  3  0   0  16      10  0  0  3  3  0  0   0   0  0  0   0  0  0  0  0  0 0.00 0.174 0.555 2.21717   Armando Benitez     1998-09-13 BAL ANA W 12-7    9-9f 1.0 0 0  0  0  3  0   0  17      10  0  0  3  3  0  0   0   0  0  0   0  0  0  0  0  0 0.00 0.007 0.555  .09318   Armando Benitez     1998-09-08 BAL OAK  W 5-2  9-9f S 1.0 0 0  0  0  3  0   0  12      10  0  0  3  3  0  0   0   0  0  0   0  0  0  0  0  0 0.00 0.046 0.544  .58719       Randy Myers     1996-09-04 BAL CAL  W 4-2  9-9f S 1.0 0 0  0  0  3  0               0  0  0  3  3  0  0   0   0  0  0   0  0  0  0  0  0 0.00 0.111 0.590 1.37720       Randy Myers     1996-04-05 BAL MIN  W 2-1  9-9f S 1.0 0 0  0  0  3  0   0  15       9  0  0  3  3  0  0   0   0  0  0   0  0  0  0  0  0 0.00 0.236 0.608 2.92321        Doug Jones     1995-09-11 BAL BOS W 10-7  9-9f S 1.0 0 0  0  0  3  0   0  13      10  0  0  3  3  0  0   0   0  0  0   0  0  0  0  0  0 0.00 0.040 0.580  .49722       Gregg Olson     1993-07-31 BAL BOS  W 4-0    9-9f 1.0 0 0  0  0  3  0   0  11       9  0  0  3  3  0  0   0   0  0  0   0  0  0  0  0  0 0.00 0.017 0.549  .21023       Gregg Olson     1991-06-06 BAL TOR  W 6-4  9-9f S 1.0 0 0  0  0  3  0   0  12       9  0  0  3  3  0  0   0   0  0  0   0  0  0  0  0  0 0.00 0.070 0.479  .93024       Gregg Olson     1990-06-27 BAL CLE  W 6-3 10-10fW 1.0 0 0  0  0  3  0   0  13       9  0  0  3  3  0  0   0   0  0  0   0  0  0  0  0  0 0.00 0.131 0.469 1.76325         Ken Dixon     1987-05-14 BAL KCR  W 4-3  9-9f S 1.0 0 0  0  0  3  0               0  0  0  3  3  0  0   0   0  0  0   0  0  0  0  0  0 0.00 0.170 0.534 2.183Rk            Player           Date  Tm Opp   Rslt  AppDec  IP H R ER BB SO HR UER Pit Str GSc IR IS BF AB 2B 3B IBB HBP SH SF GDP SB CS PO BK WP  ERA   WPA  RE24   aLI26      Tim Stoddard     1983-07-20 BAL SEA  W 4-2  9-9f S 1.0 0 0  0  0  3  0               0  1  0  3  3  0  0   0   0  0  0   0  0  0  0  0  0 0.00 0.189 0.912 2.59027     Ernie Johnson 1959-04-26 (1) BAL NYY  W 5-4  9-9f S 1.0 0 0  0  0  3  0               0  0  0  3  3  0  0   0   0  0  0   0  0  0  0  0  0 0.00 0.189 0.467 2.540

Your very specific set of critera has only happened a handful of times: Britton, then Sherrill in '09, Benitez in '98, Randy Myers in '96, Ken Dixon in '87, and Ernie Johnson in '59. Dixon's happened during his infamous season where he allowed 31 homers in 105 innings. Edit...also BJ Ryan a couple times, as well as a Chris Ray game.

Excellent work, thanks! I definitely remembered Ryan doing it. I specifically recalled this game, though:

http://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/OAK/OAK198904260.shtml

...as it was pretty much the dawn of the Gregg Olson Era as closer, where he struck out D. Parker, D. Henderson, and M. McGwire to end it out in Oakland, protecting a 1-run lead. But it's not on your list because Olson also pitched the 8th in that game. Anywho, I figured it was a pretty rare feat.

[OriolesFaithful]

He has 3 blown saves right? The first one if I remember right was due to a hit against the shift, then working the runner around the bases through productive outs. Basically "baseball"

The next one was just bad. He had no control and no break vs NYY. This you can call "blown"

The most recent was a broken bat, a dying duck, and a blast. That is "baseball"

So basically he has only been "Bad" once as closer.

I will take it. 10 out of 10 times.

Yeah I'd say the only time he looked off was that NYY game. Even when he blew the other two saves he looked good.

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