A save is an important statistic in baseball that is used to measure the effectiveness of a relief pitcher in a game. It is awarded to any pitcher who meets the criteria established by Major League Baseball. In this article, we’ll take a look at what qualifies for a save and how the statistic is used to evaluate a pitcher’s performance.
Definition of a Save
A save is a statistic that awards a relief pitcher who meets certain criteria established by Major League Baseball. According to Major League Baseball rules, a relief pitcher is credited with a save if he enters the game with a lead of no more than three runs and pitches for at least one inning without relinquishing the lead. The pitcher must also finish the game or be the pitcher of record when the winning run is scored.
In order for a pitcher to be eligible for a save, he must meet all of the following criteria:
• Enter the game with a lead of no more than three runs
• Pitch at least one inning
• Finish the game or be the pitcher of record when the winning run is scored
Evaluating a Pitcher’s Performance
The save statistic is used to evaluate the performance of a relief pitcher in a game. A pitcher with a high number of saves is typically seen as a reliable and effective reliever, while a pitcher with a low number of saves may be seen as unreliable or ineffective. Relievers who consistently come through in clutch situations are often rewarded with higher salaries and more recognition.
The save statistic is also used to determine which pitchers qualify for awards such as the Rolaids Relief Man Award and the Delivery Man of the Year Award. Pitchers who accumulate the most saves are typically eligible for these awards, which can be a great honor for any pitcher.
Limitations of the Save Statistic
While the save statistic is an important measure of a relief pitcher’s performance, it does have some limitations. For example, it does not take into account the quality of the pitcher’s performance. A pitcher can be credited with a save even if he gives up multiple runs, as long as he still holds the lead when he leaves the game. This means that a pitcher can be credited with a save even if his performance was not particularly effective.
Another limitation is that the save statistic does not take into account the context of the game. A pitcher may be credited with a save even if the game was already out of reach when he entered, which may not be indicative of a successful performance.
Conclusion
A save is an important statistic in baseball that is used to measure the effectiveness of a relief pitcher in a game. In order for a pitcher to be eligible for a save, he must enter the game with a lead of no more than three runs, pitch at least one inning, and finish the game or be the pitcher of record when the winning run is scored. The save statistic is used to evaluate the performance of a relief pitcher in a game and to determine which pitchers qualify for awards such as the Rolaids Relief Man Award and the Delivery Man of the Year Award. However, the save statistic does have some limitations, such as not taking into account the quality of the pitcher’s performance or the context of the game.