Starters win games, bullpens win championships

[weams]

Which is pretty much the most useful skill a relief pitcher can have in the playoffs. More than ground balls or avoiding walks and home runs.

Would you say this again. Please. So people know. This is not an opinion.

[Stotle]

Would you say this again. Please. So people know. This is not an opinion.

Groundballs/walk rate/home runs can all end up more valuable over the course of a season, right? But in the playoffs you get one shot at a high leverage situation. Having someone with a legit ability to miss bats with regularity gives you the best opportunity (in theory) to get out of that one situation. No seeing eye base hit; don't let him put it in play.

[mdbdotcom]

Cliches don't win much of anything.

Starters are from Mercury. Relievers are from Uranus.

[OFFNY]

Starters are from Mercury. Relievers are from Uranus.

Relief pitchers in baseball are somewhat similar to N.F.L. placekickers in football ...... a lot of glory when they come through in their brief time on the field, but a lot of blame and grief when they don't come through in their brief time on the field.

[gpolee]

Groundballs/walk rate/home runs can all end up more valuable over the course of a season, right? But in the playoffs you get one shot at a high leverage situation. Having someone with a legit ability to miss bats with regularity gives you the best opportunity (in theory) to get out of that one situation. No seeing eye base hit; don't let him put it in play.

A major part of 'don't let him put it in play' has to be not allowing Home Runs. I'd bet most managers would chose late-inning relievers who are stingy with the HRs over the pitcher with the highest K/9 who gives up an unacceptably higher rate of homers. Strikeouts are fantastic. And a team can endure the BBs. Just as long as the possibilty of the longball is minimal.

[weams]

A major part of 'don't let him put it in play' has to be not allowing Home Runs. I'd bet most managers would chose late-inning relievers who are stingy with the HRs over the pitcher with the highest K/9 who gives up and unacceptably higher rate of homers. Strikeouts are fantastic. And a team can endure the BBs. Just as long as the possibilty of the longball is minimal.

Actually, not so much. We are the only team that really plays all these one run games

[Guest]

Being able to move runners up get 2 out hits with man on wins too. The Orioles have a hard time with this.

Once again see tonight. This will cost us in the playoffs if they make it.

[DrungoHazewood]

Once again see tonight. This will cost us in the playoffs if they make it.

The Orioles are above-average in hitting with 2 outs and RISP, 11th of 30 MLB teams. In late and close situations the O's are .001 OPS points off having the best hitting in MLB.

[weams]

Because Stotle said it, it's not an opinion? So a pitcher with better K for 9 innings is automatically better in the playoffs than Zach Britton?

Actually, has nothing to do with Stotle. I compliment you when you point out facts that have been distorted. A high k rate pitcher in a high leverage playoff situation is always preferable. Unless you are trying to gamble on a double play for some reason. Zach has been striking out more. And would you rather have him. OR Koji. No contact is always preferable to contact. Unless you are a starter trying to keep down pitch count. And you know this.

[weams]

Groundballs/walk rate/home runs can all end up more valuable over the course of a season, right? But in the playoffs you get one shot at a high leverage situation. Having someone with a legit ability to miss bats with regularity gives you the best opportunity (in theory) to get out of that one situation. No seeing eye base hit; don't let him put it in play.

It really is not debatable what he is saying.

[Can_of_corn]

Actually, has nothing to do with Stotle. I compliment you when you point out facts that have been distorted. A high k rate pitcher in a high leverage playoff situation is always preferable. Unless you are trying to gamble on a double play for some reason. Zach has been striking out more. And would you rather have him. OR Koji. No contact is always preferable to contact. Unless you are a starter trying to keep down pitch count. And you know this.

And even then the effect is marginal. Walks run up pitch counts, not strikeouts.

[Can_of_corn]

It most certainly is. Is the bottom of the 9th in a one run game not a high leverage situation. Would you rather have Tim Collins or Zach Britton on the mound?

The same Tim Collins that is average 5.2 K/9 this season?

[Can_of_corn]

No, the one with 377 strikeouts in 256 career innings and a 1.41 WHIP.

Who does that one play for?

[weams]

No, the one with 377 strikeouts in 256 career innings and a 1.41 WHIP.

For one batter? The guy who most recently has the highest K rate. Not historically. Like let's say...the last three months? (90 days). Yeah that is who I pick.

[weams]

Who does that one play for?

He talking about the HISTORY of high strike out. Not the actuality.