And, of course, a lefty.

Plus, he can control the deficit.

Merryweather, Romano, Dolis, Bergen, Phelps

1. 2014: 8 pitchers 34 saves - 25 for Casey Jansen, no one else had more than 5
2. 2015: 8 pitchers 45 saves - 20 for Osuna, no one else over 5.
3. 1980: 7 pitchers 23 saves
4. 1986: 7 pitchers 44 saves
5. 1984, 1988, 1994, 1997, 1999, 2003, 2004, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2017, 2019, 2020 all had 6 pitchers getting between 17 (last year) and 47 saves.

• 3+ saves: 5 guys (2004, 2014)
• 4+ saves: 4 guys (1983, 1985, 1998, 2014, 2018
• 5+ saves: 4 guys (1983, 1985, 2018)
• 6+ saves: 4 guys (1985, 2018)
• 7+ saves: 4 guys (1985, 2018)
• 8+ saves: 4 guys (1985 - none over 14, Caudill, Henke, Acker all with 10-14, Lavelle with 8)
• 9+ saves: 3 guys (1984, 1985)
• 10+ saves: 2 guys (1985, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 2003, 2011)

      ERA xERA  FIP xFIP
Ryu  2.95 3.49 3.20 3.17
Matz 4.86 4.21 4.26 3.78
Ray  3.38 4.21 4.71 3.45

While Ray has been lucky to post such a low ERA, his HR/FB has been unusually high. And Matz's components all spell out better results than his ERA.

None of this guarantees anything beyond today, of course.

I looked up the answer last night and had already forgotten again by this morning.

Hint - The fifth player isn't on the active roster.

I'm surprised the team's record is as good as it is between starting Roark, Stripling, Pearson, Thornton, Milone and Kay.

I understand the 2D vs. 3D concern over an automated strike zone, and that the rectangle we see on TV is no more than a plane at the front of a 3D strike zone. But I have a serious question. Is it within the laws of physics, or at least within reasonable probability, that a pitch can be thrown and cross the 3D strike zone but not the plane that we see at the front of it?

Left/Right: A breaking pitch would have to go around the rectangle and cross some portion of the plate.

Down/Up: A pitch with a downward trajectory would have to go over the of the rectangle and descend into the 3D strike zone. Similarly, a Quisenberry-like pitch with an upward trajectory would have to go under the rectangle and then rise into the 3D strike zone.

Is the strike zone deep enough for pitches to bypass the rectangle but nonetheless find the portion of the strike zone behind the rectangle? I understand that in principle it is, I'd just want to see actual evidence that such pitches actually exist.

He has logged major league at-bats every year since 2005. He peaked at age 29 with a 72 OPS+.

Yeah, "supposed to do". But does it really? Or is it just something people say? It always sounded very fishy to me.

But the catcher is far behind the plate. Where it hits his glove is of no consequence. Your 12-6 curve would have to start its descent over the top of the rectangle and slice through the 3D strike zone behind it. I'm not saying this is technically impossible, I'm just wondering if it ever really happens.

I'd be happy to hear what physicists have to say about all this. I'd be willing to wager that an automated 2D rectangle would eliminate more human error than would be introduced by the missed magic loogie pitches that bypass the rectangle and catch the plate.

If I'm not mistaken, Josh Donaldson wasn't even the emergency catcher in the Josh Donaldson era. Although, for the life of me I can't remember who was designate. Darwin Barney?

I can vaguely recall John Gibbons mentioning that Donaldson was the emergency catcher. However, Darwin Barney rings a bell. Maybe even Ryan Goins? (Only Donaldson has ever appeared at the catcher position and not since 2012 with Oakland.) John McDonald was the emergency catcher in his heyday, but never caught during his career.

For the 2021 Blue Jays, would Biggio play the part? His father appeared in 427 games at catcher from 1988 to 1991 -- plus one game in 2007.

That makes sense since Donaldson actually was a catcher before he converted to third base.

Another way to measure "free swinging" is OSwing%, the percentage of pitches outside of the strike zone that get swung at.

The Dodgers are best, at 26%, and KC/Det/Bos are worst, at 34%. Toronto is middle of the pack at 31%.

Gurriel ranks 10th worst in MLB at 43%, Bichette 14th at 39%, and Grichuk 19th at 38.5%. This latter one feels like a red flag as we all worry about a regression in his play.

Tied for 20st best in MLB are Biggio, no surprise, at 23.7% and... Guerrero (!). That Guerrero now lays off as many non-strikes as Biggio speaks volumes to his growth.

The counterpart to OSwing% is ZSwing%, the percentage of pitches inside the strike zone that get swung at. I don't know that it is a virtue to NOT swing at pitches in the strike zone, though context means a lot. So, absent value judgements being placed on these numbers, the lowest rate belongs to SD/Mil/Ari/LAA at 65% and the highest rate to Atl at 74%. Toronto is near the high end at 70%.