Who Closes?

[Stradling]

Scisocia says that, all thing being equal, he prefers Frieri closing because Smith is more able to handle two "ups." That means he came come in the seventh and come back in the eighth. He says Frieri is only good for one, so Smith-then-Frier is the way you maximize the outs you get out of the two of them.

If you maximize Smith's ups by bringing him in the eighth and back in the ninth, you are just taking away an out from Frieri, so the two of them still only combine for six. But if you can bring Smith in the seventh, have him also pitch the eighth and then Frieri in the ninth, then you can get seven or maybe eight outs from the two of them.

Obviously this is only even a question if both pitchers are pitching well, which is not the case at the moment. Now he feels Smith is better so Smith pitches the ninth. But that's why, if Ernie starts pitching well again, he wants Ernie in the ninth.

Agree with it or not, that's his logic.

Fletch, I agree with Mike's philosophy, well the one you stated as Mike's. However, when was the last time Mike sent his set up man out for another inning? Last night seemed like the perfect time to use Morin for an additional inning. I am guessing Mike has sent Smith out to get the final out of the seventh and then have him pitch the eighth, but it certainly isn't his M.O. If he did those kind of moves then I would understand the versatility angle of a Joe Smith not being the closer, but until Mike actually starts doing that then go with Smith in the 9th and the hot hands in the 7th and 8th innings.

[19HALO71]

I just like how Smith attacks the strike zone.

[Hollyw00d]

Ernie almost blew it last night. That deep fly ball is a homer in a lot of other ballparks.

This guy sucks.

[Hollyw00d]

Frieri is a 6th, 7th inning, low leverage guy. That is how he should be used.

Use guys in roles that they are suited for, and they'll have success. Keep jamming a square peg in the round hole, and you'll keep having a blowpen that completely deflates the rest of the team.