Middle relief pitcher
Encyclopedia
In baseball
, middle relief pitchers (or "middle relievers") are relief pitcher
s who commonly pitch in the 6th or 7th inning
s or in situations where several innings worth of work is required (such as extra innings
or when the starter
is pulled early in the game). In the National League, a middle reliever often comes in after the starting pitcher has been pulled for a pinch hitter
. The 8th and 9th innings are generally reserved for specialty pitchers (such as left-handed specialist
s, setup pitcher
s or closers
who earn saves and holds
) but middle relief pitchers may work these innings as well, especially if the game is not close.
Middle relievers have two goals once they are brought into the game to replace an ineffective starter. The more hopeful aim is that they will pitch more effectively than did the starter, thus increasing the team's chances of hitting its way to a comeback victory. The more realistic goal is for them to simply compile several innings pitched as a way to protect more valued relief pitchers from fatigue and overuse, thus keeping them fresh and available for use in crucial game situations (e.g. slim lead). In the Major Leagues, middle relief pitchers are often minor leaguers
who are being auditioned for more important roles with the club. Otherwise, the role is usually reserved for pitchers who have been unsuccessful in other roles on the staff.
Middle relievers are occasionally referred to as innings eaters, as they are to pitch low-scoring innings between the starter and setup man or closer.
Rudy Seanez
is an example of a middle reliever who has had a long and successful career.
Baseball
Baseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each. The aim is to score runs by hitting a thrown ball with a bat and touching a series of four bases arranged at the corners of a ninety-foot diamond...
, middle relief pitchers (or "middle relievers") are relief pitcher
Relief pitcher
A relief pitcher or reliever is a baseball or softball pitcher who enters the game after the starting pitcher is removed due to injury, ineffectiveness, fatigue, ejection, or for other strategic reasons, such as being substituted by a pinch hitter...
s who commonly pitch in the 6th or 7th inning
Inning
Inning is a municipality in the district of Erding in Bavaria in Germany....
s or in situations where several innings worth of work is required (such as extra innings
Extra innings
Extra innings is the extension of a baseball or softball game in order to break a tie.Ordinarily, a baseball game consists of nine innings , each of which is divided into halves: the visiting team bats first, after which the home team takes its turn at bat...
or when the starter
Starting pitcher
In baseball or softball, a starting pitcher is the pitcher who delivers the first pitch to the first batter of a game. A pitcher who enters the game after the first pitch of the game is a relief pitcher....
is pulled early in the game). In the National League, a middle reliever often comes in after the starting pitcher has been pulled for a pinch hitter
Pinch hitter
In baseball, a pinch hitter is a substitute batter. Batters can be substituted at any time while the ball is dead ; the manager may use any player that has not yet entered the game as a substitute...
. The 8th and 9th innings are generally reserved for specialty pitchers (such as left-handed specialist
Left-handed specialist
In baseball, a left-handed specialist is a left-handed relief pitcher who specializes in pitching to left-handed batters, or to switch-hitters who bat poorly right-handed...
s, setup pitcher
Setup pitcher
In baseball, a setup pitcher is a relief pitcher who regularly pitches before the closer. They commonly pitch the 7th and/or 8th innings, with the closer pitching the 9th....
s or closers
Closer (baseball)
In baseball, a closing pitcher, more frequently referred to as a closer , is a relief pitcher who specializes in closing out games, i.e., getting the final outs in a close game. Closers often appear when the score is close, and the role is often assigned to a team's best reliever. A small number of...
who earn saves and holds
Hold (baseball)
A hold is awarded to a relief pitcher who meets the following three conditions:Unlike saves, wins, and losses, more than one pitcher per team can earn a hold for a game, though it is not possible for a pitcher to receive more than one hold in a given game...
) but middle relief pitchers may work these innings as well, especially if the game is not close.
Middle relievers have two goals once they are brought into the game to replace an ineffective starter. The more hopeful aim is that they will pitch more effectively than did the starter, thus increasing the team's chances of hitting its way to a comeback victory. The more realistic goal is for them to simply compile several innings pitched as a way to protect more valued relief pitchers from fatigue and overuse, thus keeping them fresh and available for use in crucial game situations (e.g. slim lead). In the Major Leagues, middle relief pitchers are often minor leaguers
Minor league baseball
Minor league baseball is a hierarchy of professional baseball leagues in the Americas that compete at levels below Major League Baseball and provide opportunities for player development. All of the minor leagues are operated as independent businesses...
who are being auditioned for more important roles with the club. Otherwise, the role is usually reserved for pitchers who have been unsuccessful in other roles on the staff.
Middle relievers are occasionally referred to as innings eaters, as they are to pitch low-scoring innings between the starter and setup man or closer.
Rudy Seanez
Rudy Seanez
Rudy Caballero Seánez [SEE-ah-nez] is a former relief pitcher in Major League Baseball. He was the prototypical major league journeyman....
is an example of a middle reliever who has had a long and successful career.