Where Have All the Closers Gone?

Eno and DVR welcome former major leaguer Adam Ottavino to the show to discuss closers and why more relievers are racking up saves this season than in years past. The guys also dive into bullpen management and the ever-perplexing question of why closers tend to struggle in non-save situations. Later, Eno and DVR share their desert island favorite starting pitchers and reveal the biggest OOPSY droppers – with the correct chart this time.Rundown:1:04 Where Have All the Closers Gone?5:12 How Should Baseball Value & Reward Relievers?8:48 New Bullpen Management11:00 Is Better Balance Possible?14:32 Why Do Closers Struggle in Non-Save Situations?19:40 The Desert Island: Favorite Pitcher26:33 Will Tigers Stick with Kenley Jansen?29:40 Is the New Zone Causing K% and BB% Fluctuations?32:48 Seattle’s Starters’ Early Strikeout Rate Slide?39:08 The Biggest OOPSY Fallers 44:52 A Case for Lawrence Butler Despite Projections DropEno’s Article: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7241759Follow DVR on Bluesky: @DVR.bsky.socialFollow Eno on Bluesky: @enosarris.bsky.socialFollow Adam on Instagram: @adamottavinoe-mail: ratesandbarrels@gmail.comJoin our Discord: https://discord.gg/FyBa9f3wFeSubscribe to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrelsHosts: Derek VanRiper & Eno SarrisWith: Adam OttavinoEditor: Jason Potere Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.