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Originally Posted by kutulu
Closers are held to such ridiculous standards.
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Very true, and I agree, but consider a few things...
1. When a closer comes in, the game has essentially already been won (OK it hasn't but that's the way a typical fan sees it) All a closer has to do is get 3 outs.
2. A closer ALWAYS knows when he will be coming in, there is no guesswork as far as warming up goes. Therefore he should be well warmed up and ready to go.
3. A closer usually has the best "stuff" of the entire pitching staff. If not the "best" they usually have an above average fastball and an equally good "other" pitch to make outs with.
That all adds up to "we should win" whenever the closer comes in. Obviously getting 3 outs in the Majors is much easier said than done. But looking at the closer's role vs. all that they have going for them, it's obvious why fans are upset whenever a closer blows a save. I can really understand it as of late with K-Rod blowing #6 of the year the other night.