Starting pitchers or closers- more important in baseball?

Question

If you have a bad closer, you can't win many games because you'll give up runs late in a game. On the other hand, if you have a bad starter, you can't build up a lead.

Answer 1

i think that even though a great closer is a very very very very very important part of a ballclub, if you dont have at least 3 good starters, you wont contend for the playoffs.

Answer 2

Both are important for the exact reasons that you said. A starter is important to pitch well and prevent the opponent from building a lead. However, a closer is also important because they ensure the finish of the game.

If you look at it, teams put more emphasis on starting pitchers. This is evident in the huge contracts that starters get, while most closers don't get as much. Plus, a starter needs to go as far as possible so the bullpen doesn't have to pitch as long. If the starter can't go at least six innings, the bullpen will be exhausted in a game. If a closer or relief pitcher struggles, it's easier to pull that pitcher.

So, I would say that the starting pitcher is more important.

Answer 3

Both are important but I have to agree with the others that say starter. You cant rely on your offense to carry you very far so keeping games close throughout has to be the key. A perfect example of getting games to the late innings and competing would be last years 2 World Series teams. Todd Jones did a good job for the Tigers but he is hardly a shutdown closer and the Cardinals used Wainwright because Isringhausen was injured. Both got great starter performances throughout the playoffs, keeping their teams in ballgames so they had a chance to win. Obviously you need a solid bullpen but even the mighty Yankees can currently tell you that even with Rivera they dont stand a chance in a lot of games because the starters are getting shelled. The Mets learned the same lesson last year...Wagner is a shutdown closer but too often the starters couldnt give him a lead to protect. That is too good a team to lose games they way they did (bad starts was their worst enemy).

Answer 4

Starters.

1. Closers go one inning. That's just not asking so much from any major league pitcher.

2. Without the good starters, the closer is frequently superfluous.

3. Starters eat up many more innings over the course of a season.

4. Check the salaries. The top closers are paid like middle-class starters at best.

Answer 5

Starting pitching is more important.

The closer is a 'role'. It is either filled by the best reliever in the bullpen, or the reliever that is best at striking batters out. However, without good starting pitching, the closer's role is diminished. If you don't enter the late innings with a lead, you have no need of a closer.

Also, good starting pitching means less wear and tear on the bullpen, which means that when they are needed, they are more effective. Good starting pitching affects the offense as well. Batters usually fare better when their team in ahead or within striking distance.

Therefore, starting pitching affects many aspects of a team's game while the closer is reserved for the every 2nd or 3rd (or more, depending on the team) game when the opportunity to close a game arises.

Answer 6

I think that the starting pitcher is most important in the game of baseball because the starters go out and they are supposed to give a good start to the game...get run support by his teammates... and the closers ussually do their job by closing the game.

Answer 7

Starting pitchers are definitely more important than closers. Closers can't even enter the game and be effective unless the SP carries the team to a lead beforehand.

Answer 8

The starters are more important in my opinion. If your starters don't give quality performances and keep their team in the game, the closer never has the opportunity to save it.

Answer 9

I think it is quality starting pitchers that are more important in baseball especially those that can give you 6-7 strong innings and not give up too many runs and give you a chance to win every time they pitch. Think along the lines of Santana, Peavy, Oswalt, Holliday, Beckett. I think the closer role is overrated but that is just MY opinion. Good quality starting pitching is more important.

Answer 10

Closer. If you have a good hitting team you can keep up with the bad starter. But, if you have a bad closer you cant keep the lead as easy. I'd take the closer anyday.

Answer 11

starting pitching! why because the most important thing is how long a starter is in the game. watch a game where the starter comes out early and hands it to the bull pen. the team seem to fall apart.