Now Warming Up…MLB

Let's start with the Opener.

***Closing a game for MLB pitchers is among the most difficult things to accomplish in a difficult game.  Several are struggling to do so through the first month of the 2025 season.  Devin Williams, with his fall-off-the-table changeup, has not gotten it done for the Yankees, so far.  Saddled with a 9.00 ERA and giving up more hits than strikeouts, the Bronx Bombers are changing it up at the closer position and are back to using Luke Weaver.  The Atlanta Braves are struggling this season with Raisel Iglesias in the closer role.  He has already surrendered more homers this year than in all 2024.  And, David Bednar is back with the Pirates after a stint in AAA. Beyond the save statistic, which has always been the metric for closers, teams would be better off using a bullpen-by-committee approach which would allow managers to use the hot arm instead of the standard use in certain innings, in my opinion.  What do you think?

Now to the Set Up Man.

***In 2023, MLB increased the size of the bases and limited the throws to first base by pitchers to increase stolen bases.  Many fans have enjoyed the results, and MLB teams stole 3,617 bases in 2024.  Currently, Luis Roberts Jr. and Elly De La Cruz lead their respective AL and NL leagues with 13 apiece.  Perhaps catchers need to reacquaint themselves with an occasional throw to first to slow down the league, where even marginally quick players are stealing bases nowadays. 

Now the Closer.

***Nick Pivetta is throwing strikes and is looking like a CY Young candidate early in 2025 with the San Diego Padres.  Always known for quality pitches, Pivetta has a 0.82 WHIP and 39 strikeouts in 35 innings.  At the age of 32, he looks like an ace by keeping players off the bases. Going the other way is Tanner Bibee, who was signed by the Guardians to lead that staff, but is doing it with a 7.63 ERA. Despite all of this, regression and progression to their results are bound to happen.

 “I’m not a baseball player; I’m a baseball weapon” -Rickey Henderson, MLB all-time stolen base leader with 1406.