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User:GhostRiver/opener

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Sergio Romo opened for the Tampa Bay Rays in 2018.

In baseball, an opening pitcher, more frequently referred to as an opener, is a pitcher – often a relief pitcher – who specializes in getting the first outs of a game before he is relieved by a traditional starting pitcher.

Usage

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In baseball, the starting pitcher begins the game and is expected to pitch at least five innings. This is in contrast to a relief pitcher, who makes a shorter appearance later in the game, sometimes in high-pressure situations.[1] Beginning in the 1980s with players like Dennis Eckersley, Jeff Reardon, and John Franco, individual relief pitchers were given specific roles in a game: middle relief pitcher, long reliever, setup man, and closer.[2] While some managers deploy relievers based on inning, with a designated setup man in the eighth inning and closer in the ninth, others have adopted a "bullpen by committee" approach, where the best relievers enter the game against their opponent's best hitters.[3][4]

History

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Curly Ogden served as an opener in Game 7 of the 1924 World Series.

Before the 2018 MLB season, use of an opener was rare, and used with the intention of tricking opposing teams.[5] In 1924, Bucky Harris and the Washington Senators announced that Curly Ogden would start Game 7 of that year's World Series, and the New York Giants designed their lineup with the right-handed pitcher in mind.[6] Ogden faced two batters before he was relieved by the left-handed George Mogridge, who held the Giants scoreless for four innings.[7]

  • Ted Power, 1990 NLCS
  • Tony La Russa & the 1993 A's

Strategy

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See also

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Notes

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References

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  1. ^ Bullock, Garrett S.; Thigpen, Charles A.; Collins, Gary S.; Arden, Nigel K.; Noonan, Thomas K.; Kissenberth, Michael J.; Shanley, Ellen (June 15, 2021). "Hazard of Arm Injury in Professional Starting and Relief Pitchers". Journal of Athletic Training. 57 (1): 65–71. doi:10.4085/1062-6050-0262.21. PMC 8775284. PMID 35040985. Retrieved January 21, 2024. Open access icon
  2. ^ McNeil, William F. (2006). The Evolution of Pitching in Major League Baseball. Jefferson, NC: McFarland & Company. pp. 98–99. ISBN 978-0-7864-2468-9. Retrieved January 21, 2024.
  3. ^ Lemire, Joe (September 27, 2011). "Eighth-inning relievers save the day while closers get the saves". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved January 22, 2024.
  4. ^ Arthur, Rob; Watt, Rian (September 14, 2016). "Baseball Managers Are Getting Smarter About Handling Their Bullpens". FiveThirtyEight. Retrieved January 22, 2024.
  5. ^ Castrovince, Anthony (December 22, 2018). "This is how the Rays started a revolution". MLB.com. MLB Advanced Media. Retrieved January 18, 2024.
  6. ^ Kelly, Matt (October 7, 2023). "Unconventional postseason pitching decisions". MLB.com. MLB Advanced Media. Retrieved January 18, 2024.
  7. ^ Thornley, Stew (July 19, 2014). "October 10, 1924: Big Train finally wins the biggest one of all". Society for American Baseball Research. Retrieved January 18, 2024.
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