The Greatest Game Ever Played

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

let's also not lose sight of the fact we lose so many xtra inning games on the road because the other team scores in the same number of chances or fewer. Best reliever or not the Mets got 7 innings of 1 run ball out of the pen last nite, yes? Should be enuf.

[Centerfield]

That I understand, but it makes sense to use your best reliever in every situation. This, of course, is not possible, because any one pitcher can only pitch a certain number of innings. So my point is, to prove Jerry is wrong, you must establish that the benefit of using your closer in tie games outweighs the negative effect of having a lesser pitcher pitch in save situations (since presumably, your closer will not be able to handle all of them due to the extra work).

[Guest Edgy DC]

John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: let's also not lose sight of the fact we lose so many xtra inning games on the road because the other team scores in the same number of chances or fewer. Best reliever or not the Mets got 7 innings of 1 run ball out of the pen last nite, yes? Should be enuf.

No doubt, but I'm tearing apart my brain trying to exted the argument to demonstrate how this team doesn't score because they are demoralized by their manager managing like such a loser.

Eventually, if you hold them long enough, Tony LaRussa pitches a backup infielder and you get a runner on and bunt him around the bases.

[batmagadanleadoff]

In an extra inning game, I'd use my most effective available reliever -- effective defined by the circumstances (opposing batters, base/out situation) as much as by the pitcher's own abilities. Given the sudden death-like nature of extra innings, I can't see holding back on the most effective pitcher. Your team won't bat in the 11th inning if you're losing after 10 innings.