How is a save opportunity determined for a pitcher in Major League Baseball?

Answer 1

In order for a pitcher to save a ball game, his team must be in the lead from when he takes over until the end of the game.

Answer 2

A save is credited to a pitcher who fulfills the following three conditions:
1. The pitcher is the last pitcher in a game won by his team;
2. The pitcher is not the winning pitcher (for instance, if a starting pitcher throws a complete game win or, alternatively, if the pitcher gets a blown save and then his team scores a winning run while he is the pitcher of record, sometimes known as a "vulture win");
3. The pitcher fulfills at least one of the following three conditions:
a. He comes into the game with a lead of no more than three runs, and pitches at least one full inning.
b. He comes into the game with the potential tying run being either on base, at bat, or on deck.
c. He pitches effectively (in the official scorer's opinion - sometimes a contentious point) for at least 3 innings after entering the game with a lead and finishes the game.

If the pitcher surrenders the lead at any point, he cannot get a save, even if his team comes back to win. No more than one save may be credited in each game.

If a relief pitcher satisfies all the criteria for a save, except he does not finish the game, he will often be credited with a hold.

Answer 3

Credit a pitcher with a save when he meets all three of the following conditions:
(1) He is the finishing pitcher in a game won by his club; and
(2) He is not the winning pitcher; and
(3) He qualifies under one of the following conditions:
(a) He enters the game with a lead of no more than three runs and pitches for at least one inning; or
(b) He enters the game, regardless of the count, with the potential tying run either on base, or at bat, or on deck (that is, the potential tying run is either already on base or is one of the first two batsmen he faces); or
(c) He pitches effectively for at least three innings. No more than one save may be credited in each game.

Answer 4

UNDER 1 of 3 CONDITIONS:
The pitcher has the be the last one in the game, he comes into the game with a tying run on base, or he pitches for at least 3 innings.

Answer 5

when the pitcher's team is up by 3 runs and pitches the last innings

Answer 6

It's complicated, Jay. Here's a rough way to determine it. If your team is ahead, and you come in and the available number of outs left for the other team is equal to or more than your lead, you get a save. There are other ways to earn one also.

Answer 7

He must face enough batters, or have men on base that could tie the game.

Answer 8

if the closers team is up by three runs are less