Down by four in the 9th? No problem.

[Ghoulish Delight]

Originally Posted by MouseWife

I didn't watch the game. Too bad they waited on Hoffman. Are they trying to make the other guy they did bring in the next Trevor? Meaning, make him as important/to be feared/etc.?

Nope. The role of a closer is very specific, they only come in in "save" situations. The definition of a "save" situation is 'If the number of men on base + the next 3 batters is equal to or greater than the lead, then a pitcher that comes in and prevents the other team from tying or leading gets a save."

So with a 4 run lead going into the bottom of the ninth, it's not a save situation, therefore no reason to bring in your closer. Hoffman's old and, apparantly, having some shoulder fatigue. And he made a lot of pitches (for a closer) on Sunday night. So they don't want to use him if they don't have to.