We Got Wood - 43.30 - Portland Starts with "Closer By Committee"

GM: Chris Wilson

Moderator: 7teen

User avatar
7teen
BBA GM
Posts: 9806
Joined: Sun Apr 04, 2010 7:59 am
Has thanked: 223 times
Been thanked: 1135 times

We Got Wood - 43.30 - Portland Starts with "Closer By Committee"

Post by 7teen » Tue Jun 16, 2020 4:15 pm

With a bullpen projected to produce an even WAR for the season, and not greeted to fondly in the Media Guide, as well as throwing in the fact that last year's closer Vincente Venalde had a real rough second half of the 2042 season, Portland manager Pedro Medina has elected to begin the 2043 season without a designated closer. Instead, the team will use the a committee of arms to record the final outs of the game and rely on Medina's... gut.

"Whoever we feel comfortable with at the end of the game is who we will go with right now" said Medina after the team's 5-2 Win over Vancouver last night. In the game, Flynn Bernard picked up the win after pitching the 8th and 9th innings. Portland scored 4 in the 8th to take a 3 run lead and Medina stuck with Bernard to close it out. He got the win and no save was given to a Portland pitcher. "We'll keep doing it that way as long as it works and we win games" continued Medina. "Tonight was a perfect example. Rocha gave us 7 strong innings. Bernard looked good in the 8th, we took the lead in our half, and I felt leaving Flynn out there for the 9th was the call to get us the win. It wasn't about someone getting a stat. It was about the team getting the win. And we did."

Over the first 3 wins by Portland, the team is yet to record a save. Of course, save opportunities have been limited. Two of Portland's three wins this season came in walk-off fashion. Only the Vancouver game provided a save chance and Medina's philosophy was put to the test. The team won so it's one for one with the strategy.

It'll be interesting to see how long this plays out. Medina was not viewed highly in Long Beach for his bullpen usage. In fact, it cost him his previous position as manager with the Surfers prior to being hired in Portland. Medina's trends indicate he's slightly quick to hook a reliever and favors the handed matchups with his pen. So perhaps, not tying any one guy in as a closer will play more to his strength in 2043. Portland currently has 4 lefties and 4 righties in the pen with a specialist for each and 5 middle relievers listed.
Chris Wilson

LB Surfers 95-96
FL Pac Champs: 95

Madison Wolves 99-2039
JL MW: 99-2009, 17, 20, 21
JL WC: 12
JL: 01, 04, 09, 12
FL Heartland: 32
FL WC: 31, 33
BBA Champs: 04, 09

Portland Lumberjacks 2040-
FL Pacific: 50
FL WC: 49, 51
FL Champs: 49, 51

Vic Caleca TN of the Year 2046

Return to “Portland Lumberjacks”

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 3 guests