Save Situations

[MSC]

Okay, so I've wondered something for a while now. In baseball, what constitutes a save situation? Is it no more than a lead of three or what?

[sahyder1]

Okay, so I've wondered something for a while now.  In baseball, what constitutes a save situation?  Is it no more than a lead of three or what?

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A save is a baseball statistic used to indicate the successful maintenance of a lead by a relief pitcher until the end of the game. A save is credited to a pitcher who fulfills the following three conditions:

1. The pitcher is the last pitcher in a game won by his team;

2. The pitcher is not the winning pitcher (for instance, if a starting pitcher throws a complete game win);

3. The pitcher fulfills at least one of the following three conditions:

1. He comes into the game with a lead of no more than three runs, and pitches the remainder of the game, gaining at least one out.

2. He comes into the game with the potential tying run being either on base, at bat, or on deck.

3. He pitches at least three "effective" innings (this is the only subjective criterion and is judged by the official scorer).

The save is defined in Section 10.20 of Major League Baseball Official Rules. The statistic was formally introduced in 1969, although research has identified saves earned prior to that point.

A blown save is charged to a pitcher who enters a game in a situation which permits him to earn a save (a 'save situation'), but who instead allows the tying run (and perhaps the go-ahead run) to score. As with any other similar situation, if the pitcher's team does not come back to win the game, said pitcher will be charged with both the loss and a 'blown save.' The blown save is not an officially recognized statistic, but many sources keep track of them.

If a pitcher enters a game in a save situation (for a team leading by three runs or less) in an inning which is not the last (e.g. in a regulation 9-inning home game, pitching the top of the 8th), and his team later scores one or more run(s) to extend their lead beyond three runs, then as long as the same pitcher pitches until the end of the game, he is still credited with the save. As the various roles of relief pitchers have changed since the 1960s, closers who often pitch two or more innings have become increasingly rare; although exceptions remain.

Edited May 25, 2004 by sahyder1

[SeanDMan]

That doesn't make sense though. Gagne usually comes in in the 7th or 8th inning... he rarely completes 3 innings, and yet he has a tremendous amount of saves.

[sahyder1]

That doesn't make sense though. Gagne usually comes in in the 7th or 8th inning... he rarely completes 3 innings, and yet he has a tremendous amount of saves.

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It says one of the 3 requirements. 3 inning saves usually happen in a blowout game when a team just brings out a Long Relief man.

[SeanDMan]

Okay... well that's kind of retarded... if he comes in up 40-2, and pitches 3 innings... he gets a save?

What did he save, exactly?

[MSC]

So, in MVP Baseball, in a blowout, I can bring in a closer to pick up the save with three innings left?

[sahyder1]

Okay... well that's kind of retarded... if he comes in up 40-2, and pitches 3 innings... he gets a save?

What did he save, exactly?

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well 3 reasonable innings. He can's allow 7 runs and still get a save......but if he pitches 3 innings allowing 1 or 2 runs they do still credit with a save. It's up the official scorer though.

So, in MVP Baseball, in a blowout, I can bring in a closer to pick up the save with three innings left?

I don't see why MVP wouldn't recognize 3 inning saves.....but why the hell would you pitch a closer for 3 innings?

Edited May 25, 2004 by sahyder1

[MSC]

I don't see why MVP wouldn't recognize 3 inning saves.....but why the hell would you pitch a closer for 3 innings?

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Morale reasons. I normally don't need a closer late in the game.

[DYSI]

Thanks for the post sayhder, I always get confused in MVP too. *shakes fist at confusing rules*

[Guest The Man They Call Puke]

If you pitch a pitcher 3 innings in MVP, with the lead of more than 3 runs, its not a save. Ive tried.

[MSC]

If you pitch a pitcher 3 innings in MVP, with the lead of more than 3 runs, its not a save. Ive tried.

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2.. I just tried it in a minor league game, didn't work. He gave up 2 homers, both solo shots.

[naiwf]

2.. I just tried it in a minor league game, didn't work.  He gave up 2 homers, both solo shots.

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Giving up runs could negate the save situation as sahyder said. It works in the OOTP series as it should at least 99% of the time. As far as that game goes, they may not have programmed that bit of code in.

[sahyder1]

Giving up runs could negate the save situation as sahyder said. It works in the OOTP series as it should at least 99% of the time.  As far as that game goes, they may not have programmed that bit of code in.

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Yeah the rule says "three "effective" innings".....whatever that means. It's up to the individual game score keeper I guess.

[Guest blueblood]

I have MVP and it's glitched. MVP also won't credit you with a save if you come in 9th inning with the tieing run a deck when it should.