Jonah Patel
In baseball, a save opportunity (SVO) or save situation occurs when a relief pitcher enters a game in a situation that allows them to earn a save. A pitcher entering a game in a save situation but leaving before the end, while their team is still leading, is not charged with a save opportunity. Save opportunities are crucial in determining saves, blown saves, and holds. A reliever can only blow multiple saves in a game if they have multiple save opportunities, which is only possible if they temporarily switch to another defensive position and then return to pitching.
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What You'll Learn
- Relief pitchers entering the game with a lead of no more than three runs
- Relief pitchers entering with less than three innings left to play
- Relief pitchers entering with the tying run in the on-deck circle
- Relief pitchers entering with their team in the lead
- Relief pitchers entering with a large lead and the tying run at bat
Relief pitchers entering the game with a lead of no more than three runs
A save opportunity, or SVO, occurs when a relief pitcher enters the game in a situation that allows them to earn a save. A relief pitcher entering the game with a lead of no more than three runs is one of the scenarios that constitute a save opportunity.
A save situation occurs when a relief pitcher enters the game with the possibility of earning a save if they pitch until the end without giving up the lead. This typically happens when a relief pitcher comes in with their team in the lead and three or more innings are left to play. However, in modern baseball, the term "save situation" is usually only applied when a closer would normally be brought into the game. This is often in the ninth inning with a lead of three runs or less, or when a pitcher capable of finishing the game enters with a larger lead but with the tying run at bat or in the on-deck circle.
The criteria for a save opportunity involving a relief pitcher entering the game with a lead of no more than three runs are as follows:
- The pitcher must be the final pitcher for their team (but not the winning pitcher).
- They must enter the game with a lead of no more than three runs.
- They must pitch at least one inning.
If a relief pitcher satisfies the criteria for a save but does not finish the game, they will often be credited with a hold (H). However, this is not officially recognised by Major League Baseball. Conversely, if a reliever enters a game in a save situation and gives up the lead before being replaced, they will be assessed a two-point penalty, the same as a blown save, but will not be charged with a blown save since the opportunity for a save did not exist.
The save statistic has been criticised for not reflecting the true talent of a relief pitcher, as it is based solely on the outcome of the game. Additionally, the modern closer's role has been reduced to one-inning outings, allowing them to pitch more save opportunities but reducing their overall workload.
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Relief pitchers entering with less than three innings left to play
A save opportunity in baseball occurs when a relief pitcher enters a game in a situation that allows him to earn a save. A pitcher entering the game in the 9th inning or earlier with a lead of three runs or less and at least one inning left to play is considered a save situation. If the tying run is in the on-deck circle or closer to scoring, it is also considered a save opportunity.
Relief pitchers entering the game with less than three innings left to play can still earn a save opportunity, but it is less common. In today's game, it is rare for a closer to earn a save by pitching effectively for three or more innings, regardless of the size of their team's lead. However, if a relief pitcher enters the game with their team in the lead and less than three innings left to play, they can still earn a save opportunity if they satisfy the other criteria.
The criteria for a save opportunity include the relief pitcher being the final pitcher for their team (and not the winning pitcher) and meeting one of the following conditions:
- Entering the game with a lead of no more than three runs and pitching at least one inning.
- Entering the game with the tying run in the on-deck circle or closer to scoring.
- Pitching at least three innings.
It is important to note that the term "save situation" is typically used only when a closer would normally be brought into the game. In practice, this often means that relief pitchers entering with less than three innings left to play may not be considered in a save situation, even if they meet the criteria.
The rules and strategies regarding save opportunities and relief pitchers have evolved over time. In the past, relief aces were used in the late innings of any close game, regardless of the inning. However, the modern closer is often restricted to a one-inning role, allowing them to pitch in more save opportunities. This has led to some criticism, with some arguing that using the best reliever in situations with a large lead is foolish and that the save statistic has turned the closer position into an overrated role.
Despite the changes and criticisms, the save opportunity remains a crucial aspect of baseball, influencing strategies and the usage of relief pitchers, especially in high-leverage situations.
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Relief pitchers entering with the tying run in the on-deck circle
Relief pitchers are introduced during pressure situations to ensure their team's victory. A relief pitcher entering with the tying run in the on-deck circle can be a tricky situation. The on-deck circle refers to the batter who is next in line to bat and is warming up in the designated area. If the relief pitcher enters the game in this situation, they will be credited with a save if their team wins.
A save is a statistic created by journalist Jerome Holtzman in 1959 to measure the effectiveness of relief pitchers. It was adopted as an official Major League Baseball (MLB) statistic in 1969. A save can be earned by a relief pitcher under three circumstances. Firstly, if they enter the game with their team leading by no more than three runs and pitch at least one inning. Secondly, if they enter the game with the tying run in the on-deck circle, at the plate, or on the bases, and finish the game. Lastly, if they pitch at least three innings and finish the game, regardless of the score.
A blown save occurs when a reliever in a save situation surrenders the lead, allowing the tying run or more to score. If the tying run was scored by a runner who was already on base when the reliever entered, they will be charged with a blown save, even if the run is charged to the pitcher who allowed that runner to reach base. A reliever can only be charged with one blown save per game unless they temporarily switch to another defensive position and then return to pitching.
Some critics argue that the save statistic has turned the closer position into "the most overrated position in sports". They contend that using the best reliever in situations with a comfortable lead is foolish and that using a closer in the traditional "fireman" role is wiser. A fireman situation involves men on base in a tied or close game, where the reliever ends the threat.
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Relief pitchers entering with their team in the lead
A save opportunity situation in baseball occurs when a relief pitcher enters the game with the possibility of earning a save if they pitch until the end without surrendering the lead. This typically happens when a relief pitcher enters the game with their team in the lead and three or more innings are left to play. However, the term "save opportunity" is often used specifically when a closer would normally be brought into the game.
Entering with a Small Lead
A relief pitcher entering the game in the 9th inning or earlier with a small lead of three runs or less is a classic save situation. The pitcher's goal is to protect this lead until the end of the game, and if they succeed, they are credited with a save.
Entering with a Larger Lead
If a relief pitcher enters the game with a larger lead, such as a 12-run lead in the 7th inning, they can still be credited with a save as long as they finish the game. However, this scenario is somewhat controversial, as the pitcher can give up many runs and still be credited with a save.
Entering with Less Than a Full Inning Remaining
Even if a relief pitcher enters the game with less than a full inning remaining, they can still earn a save. For example, if a pitcher comes in with 1 out in the 9th inning, bases loaded, and just a 1-run lead, and they protect that lead, they will be credited with a save, despite pitching less than the full inning.
Tough Saves
A tough save is a specific type of save situation where the tying run is on base when the pitcher enters the game. This adds an extra layer of difficulty, as the reliever must prevent the tying run from scoring to earn the save.
It's important to note that a pitcher must be the final pitcher for their team (and not the winning pitcher) to be eligible for a save. Additionally, a reliever who enters a game in a save situation and departs with their team still leading but without finishing the game is not charged with a save opportunity. Instead, they may be credited with a "hold," which is a statistic not officially recognized by Major League Baseball.
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Relief pitchers entering with a large lead and the tying run at bat
A relief pitcher (aka reliever) is a pitcher who enters a game started by another pitcher. Relief pitchers are usually specialists who rarely start games. They are expected to be able to pitch in several consecutive games, although pitching on more than two consecutive days has become rare in the 21st century.
Relief pitchers can be used in highly specific roles, depending on the game situation and opposing batter. Middle relievers are often brought in during the middle of an inning when the starter has allowed several batters. They may also be used when their team is trailing late in the game. LOOGYs (Lefty One Out Guys) are left-handed relievers used to get critical outs against the opposing team's best left-handed hitters. Setup men are brought in during the 7th or 8th inning in close games, and closers are used to "close out" games that their team is winning.
A save opportunity (SVO) occurs when a reliever enters a game in a situation that could earn a save. A pitcher must be the final pitcher for their team (and not the winning pitcher) and do one of the following:
- Enter with a lead of no more than three runs and pitch at least one inning
- Enter with the tying run in the on-deck circle or closer to scoring
- Pitch at least three innings
A pitcher who enters a game in a save situation and does not finish the game, but departs with their team still leading, is not charged with a save opportunity. If they satisfy all the criteria for a save except for finishing the game, they will often be credited with a hold. A blown save occurs when a reliever in a save situation surrenders the lead (allows the tying run, or more, to score).
For example, if a reliever enters the game in the 9th inning with a 3-run lead, it is a save opportunity. If the tying run is on base, it is a tough save situation. The reliever can earn a save by protecting the lead and winning the game for their team. However, if they allow the tying run to score, it is a blown save.
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Frequently asked questions
A save opportunity occurs when a relief pitcher enters a game in a situation that allows them to earn a save.
For a save opportunity, a pitcher must be the final pitcher for their team (without being the winning pitcher) and do one of the following:
- Enter the game with a lead of no more than three runs and pitch at least one inning.
- Enter the game with the tying run in the on-deck circle or closer to scoring.
- Pitch at least three innings.
A relief pitcher who comes into a game with a lead and protects it until the end can be credited with a save. The pitcher must also record at least one out.
A blown save occurs when a reliever in a save situation surrenders the lead, allowing the tying run or more to score.
A tough save occurs when a pitcher gets a save with the tying run on base.
