“You have to save [closer Jose] Valverde for a save if you get the lead, but you’ve got to have someone [John Lannan] behind him if the Angels come back and get a tie,” Collins said.
via New York Mets at Los Angeles Angels – April 11, 2014 | MLB.com NYM Recap.
Why?
What are you saving anyone for?
Survive and figure it out.
Maybe Lannan throws a zero and the Mets score in the top of the inning. Maybe they score eight runs.
Why do you have to use your closer at all? Is Lannan incapable of throwing another inning? Are we trying to get Valverde the saves record?
Same logic for not using the backup catcher. How often does a team run out of catchers? I say if you get to the 23rd inning and you need a catcher and don’t want to make Murph do it then just forfeit at that point.
