Andrew Kittredge, drafted by the Mariners in 2008, 45th round, 1360 overall pick...long road to his All-Star appearance

That’s an oddly shitty pitch to get the GIF treatment.

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Good game!

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PLAY LIKE A CARDINAL

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Why are only 14 percent of black CPS 11th-graders proficient in English?

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How does Vlad Guerrero Jr. not speak English?

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Why are only 14 percent of black CPS 11th-graders proficient in English?

Do you really want your stopper this emotional, and rattled? If it's the bottom of the 9th. Deciding game of the world series. His 4 blown saves isn't in the top of relievers. About average.

The AL just won home field advantage. No worries.

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Its how he plays. Clearly he's been able to make it work over his career.

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"Yes, I would just like to say I'm sailing with the rock, and I'll be back, like Independence Day, with Jesus. June 6, like the movie. Big mother ship and all, I'll be back, I'll be back."

That doesn't matter anymore.

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2018
#ExtendLafleur
10 More Wins

Home field is an advantage, otherwise it wouldn't be called "home field advantage".

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He's not a stopper.

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Incorrect.

Mark Melancon, All Star closer of the Padres and MLB saves leader, has 4 blown saves. Great insight as always, Scot.

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But the winner of the all star game doesn't determine that anymore.

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2018
#ExtendLafleur
10 More Wins

That tie in the 2002 led to the All Star game determined home field advantage for the World Series. That's alot Bud!

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Yes, but that is no more.

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2018
#ExtendLafleur
10 More Wins

I assume he is one of those people for whom curses naturally flow from their mouths, in good times and bad, like Richard Pryor. He wakes up to a beautiful, sunny day and greets his wife with: "Oy, good fucking morning, mate!"

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O judgment! Thou art fled to brutish beasts,
And men have lost their reason.

Correct. He's a closer.

Currently there are 15 pitchers with 15 or more saves. Of that group Liam Hendriks ranks-

Tied for 1st most blown saves (4)
13th in save % (85.2%)
ERA 11th 2.75

Where does he rank in home runs allowed?

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Anybody here seen my old friend Bobby?
Can you tell me where he's gone?
I thought I saw him walkin' up to The Hill
With Elon, Tulsi, and Don

I've already pointed out that he is not alone in that category.


Looking at ERA for a reliever

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Why do you feel that the runs allowed by a closer are insignificant?

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Anybody here seen my old friend Bobby?
Can you tell me where he's gone?
I thought I saw him walkin' up to The Hill
With Elon, Tulsi, and Don

An ERA for a reliever is typically at least half a run lower than the ERA for a pitcher who starts an inning. When you come in with one or two outs, it's much easier to escape the inning without adding to your ERA.

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I didn't say they were, JOrr. Looking at ERA for a reliever can be misleading. Its like touting the W-L record of a relief pitcher. You know this.

To your previous point, Hendriks has allowed 7 HRs in the 8th inning or later which is the second most in MLB. However, he also has the 5th most Ks and second fewest walks after the 8th, and has a WHIP of 0.86. On the surface, yeah I would like my closer to have given up fewer than 7 HR through 90 games, but you also make it seem like he gives up a bomb every time he's out there. He gave up 4 HRs in April, then went 20 appearances in a row without giving one up. He's not perfect, but he's been very good this year and deserved to be on the All Star team. He leads the AL in saves by 4. There was a reason he closed out the game last night.

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Yeah, he's got a problem with the HR ball. But if you look at his WHIP, you might come to the conclusion that the HRs might be a bit fluky. Or you might not. That's fine too.

I never thought he was going to come in here and be Riviera. I figured a slight upgrade on Colome and he was available. So we got him and he has been.

I really don't understand what you're b!tching about. Is there someone else you had in mind or have in mind?

HRs weren't listed on the relievers comparison page I was on.

But he's thrown 7 gopher balls so far 40 app. 39.1 innings.

2019 & 2020 combined ...only 6 HRs, 99 app, 110.1 innings

I just wouldn't have dedicated that much money to a closer.

_________________
Anybody here seen my old friend Bobby?
Can you tell me where he's gone?
I thought I saw him walkin' up to The Hill
With Elon, Tulsi, and Don

If they win a ring this year and/or next year, its worth it and then some.

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I think they would have been fine if Kopech or Crochet were doing that job this year.

_________________
Anybody here seen my old friend Bobby?
Can you tell me where he's gone?
I thought I saw him walkin' up to The Hill
With Elon, Tulsi, and Don

Closers get an era break with inherited and fake 2nd base extra innings runners not being earned runs.