how do you determine a save situation in baseball?

Question

cuz sometimes a team will only be down by like 5 runs and they call it a save when a closer comes in. but other times they could win by like 4 and its not a save. can someone explain this to me?

Answer 1

Ahem,

This is technical, so bear with me.

A save is recorded when he meets these 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.


In addition, the winning pitcher can't also get a save, and the save must go to a pitcher who finishes the game for the winning team.



There have been saves recorded where the pitcher doesn't throw a single pitch, getting the only out by pickoff.

There was one save where the only pitch was a wild pitch, but a runner was caught trying to got from 1st to 3rd.

There have been saves where the pitcher came into the game with a lead of more than ten runs, but pitched the final three innings, therefore he was given a save.

If you are called in and pitch fewer than 3 innings with the bases loaded at time of entry, any lead of five or less at the time of entry would be considered a save situation, even if your team scores more runs later.

Answer 2

Anyone who says a closer can't get a save on a 4-or-5 run lead needs to check the rules.

Simply put, a reliever is eligible for a save if he comes into a game where the tying run is at the plate or in the on-deck-circle. So, in a situation where the bases are loaded with a 5-run lead, it becomes a save situation because the tying run is in the on-deck circle. It doesn't matter if he pitches to one batter, or strikes out the whole side - it's a save situation either way.

The two answers above mine do a good job of quoting the rule, and they're the only ones to get it right.

Answer 3

A Relief Pitcher is in a Save Situation when upon entering the game with his club leading, he has the opportunity to be the finishing pitcher (and is not the winning pitcher of record at the time), and meets any one of the three following conditions:
he has a lead of no more than three runs and has the opportunity to pitch for at least one inning, or

he enters the game, regardless of the count, with the potential tying run either on base, at bat, or on deck; or

he pitches three or more innings regardless of the lead and the official scorer credits him with a save.

Answer 4

To be a save, the team must be winning by 3 runs or less. The pitcher that comes in does not have to pitch any specific amount of time. He can throw one pitch if the battere gets out on that pitch. Also if a pitcher comes in and the tieing or winning run is on deck. That is a save. ALSO, if a pitcher comes in and pitches the last 3 innings of the game. This is used to be the only way you could get a save.

Answer 5

If the lead is three runs or less, 9th inning, and your team is leading and pitching. That's a save situation, as long as it's not the starting pitcher.

Answer 6

You have to finish the game and not be the winning pitcher to get the save. There is no save if the winning pitcher finishes the game. In other words...coming from behind to win is not a save.

Answer 7

because to be a save...the closer has to come in when the team is winning by 3 runs or less....AND it has to be at least 1 inning pitched by the closer

Answer 8

it's only a save if the closer has a 3-run lead at the most

Answer 9

if the team is either down by any amount, or is up by less than 3 runs, it is considered a save in MLB

Answer 10

have to be winning by no more than 3 runs