Baseball managers continue to bring their closers into games, even if the pitcher who pitched the 8th inning was dominant. This belief that every pitcher will be on every day costs games. Here are two recent examples:
Cubs’ Game 3 against the Pirates: The Cubs, up 1-0, had Fujikawa pitch the 8th. He was dominant, and only needed 9 pitches in a 1-2-3 inning. The Pirates only had 1 hit through 8, but instead of leaving Fujikawa in to pitch or at least start the 9th, Sveum brings in Marmol. Marmol struggled at the end of spring training and in his appearances this year. Despite the Pirates only having one hit to this point, Marmol gave up 3 hits and a walk. This made a 3-0 game a 3-2 game, and the Pirates had first and third (the tying run) with no outs. He was able to strike out the next batter and get a double play (the Pirates didn’t squeeze), so the Cubs were fortunate to win a game they led by 3 in the 9th, but Sveum’s decision almost cost them the game.
Sox’ Game 4 against Seattle: In a 6-6 game, Loe came in and pitched a 1-2-3 9th for Seattle, and only needed 7 pitches. Seattle scored 2 in the top of the 10th, and rather than leaving Loe in, they brought in their closer. Two walks and a hit made it 8-7, and a walk loaded the bases with two outs. The first out was a deep fly by Dunn that might have been a homerun if the wind wasn’t blowing in. The Sox now had the winning run in scoring position, but the pitcher got a strikeout. Another example of a game almost being blown (others are blown) by taking out a pitcher who is pitching well to bring in the closer.