Baseball is a team game and many individuals contribute to the overall success of a team. One of the most important roles a player can have is the reliever, someone who is brought in to pitch in relief of the starting pitcher. Pitchers who come in late in the game and help their team secure a win are often credited with a “win” in the box score. But how does a reliever get a win?
In this article, we’ll be taking a look at what it takes for a reliever to get a win. We’ll also be discussing the different types of wins a reliever can get, as well as some of the considerations that go into awarding a reliever with a win.
What is a Win in Baseball?
Before we get into the specifics of how a reliever can get a win, let’s first take a look at what a “win” is in baseball. A win (or “W”) is a statistic used to measure a pitcher’s effectiveness in a game. It is a measure of how many games a pitcher’s team has won when they are the pitcher of record. The pitcher of record is the pitcher who is credited with the win in the box score.
The pitcher of record is determined by a few different criteria. The main criteria used to determine the pitcher of record is how many innings the pitcher pitched. Generally, the pitcher must have pitched at least five innings in order to qualify for the win. If the pitcher does not pitch at least five innings, then no pitcher is credited with the win.
How Does a Reliever Get a Win?
Now that we’ve established what a win is in baseball, let’s take a look at how a reliever can get a win.
The most common way for a reliever to get a win is for them to come into the game in relief of the starting pitcher and help their team secure the victory. The reliever must pitch at least one inning in order to qualify for the win. If the reliever pitches more than one inning, then they must be the pitcher of record when the winning run is scored in order to receive the win.
Different Types of Wins
There are two types of wins that a reliever can get: a “saved” win and a “hold” win.
A saved win is when the reliever comes into the game in the ninth inning or later and helps their team secure the victory. This type of win is also sometimes referred to as a “save” or a “closer” win.
A hold win is when the reliever comes into the game in a situation where the game is tied or their team is leading. The reliever must hold the lead or the tie until the end of the game in order to get the win.
Considerations for Awarding a Win
When awarding a win to a reliever, there are a few different considerations that must be taken into account.
The first consideration is the number of innings pitched. As mentioned earlier, the reliever must pitch at least one inning in order to qualify for the win. However, if the reliever has pitched more than one inning, then they must be the pitcher of record when the winning run is scored in order to receive the win.
The second consideration is the score of the game. If the reliever is brought into a game when the score is tied, they must hold the lead or the tie until the end of the game in order to get the win. If the reliever comes into the game with their team already leading, then they must hold the lead until the end of the game to get the win.
The third and final consideration is the number of runs the reliever allows. If the reliever allows any runs while they are pitching, then they cannot be credited with the win, even if their team manages to win the game.
Conclusion
Relievers are an essential part of any baseball team and can have a major impact on the outcome of a game. They can be credited with a “win” in the box score if they help their team secure a victory. To get a win, the reliever must pitch at least one inning and be the pitcher of record when the winning run is scored. There are also a few other considerations that must be taken into account when awarding a win to a reliever.
By understanding how a reliever can get a win, baseball fans can better appreciate the importance of these players and the impact they can have on a team’s success.