Debunking Jonathan Papelbon's non-save thing
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Debunking Jonathan Papelbon's non-save thing
Matt Gelb
When Dexter Fowler bounced one through the right side, Jonathan Papelbon could only look skyward. He had allowed another run in a non-save situation and probably a few watching in the Delaware Valley groaned, "See?"
Papelbon's usage is a topic that has incited debate, but the richest reliever in baseball history was pitching Wednesday in a tie game at home and that was expected.
He has allowed seven runs in 10 1/3 innings when pitching in non-save situations. He has yet to allow a run in the 17 1/3 innings he's pitched with a save on the line.
On numerous occasions in 2012, Papelbon has dismissed the notion of any difference between the two scenarios. His career numbers, a much larger sample size than three months in 2012, support that idea.
| I | Split | G | IP | H | R | ER | HR | BB | SO | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| in Sv Situ | 2.24 | 272 | 277.0 | 201 | 76 | 69 | 19 | 74 | 330 | 0.993 | 10.7 | 4.46 | |
| in non-Sv | 2.43 | 148 | 163.0 | 125 | 51 | 44 | 13 | 36 | 195 | 0.988 | 10.8 | 5.42 |
Charlie Manuel agreed Papelbon's weird splits are happenstance.
"That's just the way it is, I don’t think that has anything to do with it," Manuel said. "I think he made pretty good pitches on Fowler. He threw a 2-2 pitch close. The ball Fowler hit was down, it might have been out of the strike zone, he just dropped the head of the bat on it and it happened to go in the right place."
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Let's not forget that there is way more pressure on the team batting against a closer in a "closing" situation. Which means they would tend to press and swing at close pitches because they need to create runs. When a save isn't on the line, (the other team is winning or tied), they can be a little more patient and swing at pitches closer to the strike zone.— davew31- I think if you looked at the career stats of every closer with 100 saves and compared their ERA in save situations to their non-save numbers, the non-save ERA would be higher in ninety-five percent of them. Relief pitchers with a track record of success are there for a reason and that's because they are taken to the next level by the adrenaline of the situation and they are not limited by fear. As a close Bosox observer for over fifteen years, I can tell you that for the most part the only time you can get to Mariano is in a non-save situation. Papelbon is rare in that his focus and intensity is there pretty much any time he takes the mound. But recently, in looks like he's having trouble bearing down without the opportunity to close it out. The big contract could be a factor there as well. Great professional athletes are motivated or unmotivated depending on the gravity of the situation. This is particularly true of top closers.— auntesther
- When you pay a guy that much money, he should be able to pitch in whatever situation you need him for.— Vote for Dickie
- This "closer-bloser" controversy drives me up the wall. A relief pitcher (like Jonathan Papelbon) is supposed to come into the game- regardless of when, where and what the score is, and MAKE OUTS. Pap has not always done that and should be of concern for a "closer" so richly compensated.— pajamas
- If we hand other relievers we could trust, he wouldnt be in these situatuons in the first place. But, as a baseball player myself years ago, this shouldnt matter at all. You should always be ready to go no matter what the situation isif your a true athlete...no excuses!— huntnmike3666
- Theres just too many excuses this year for too many players, its getting sickening!— huntnmike3666
- Yet another column on Philly.com telling us why we shouldn’t believe what we’re seeing and how things aren’t as bad as they seem to be...— GJK3161
- Wheres my comment yet once again!!!!!
— huntnmike3666
