by bvargus » Fri Mar 27, 2009 7:14 pm
[quote:68cba87f85]Just because a pitcher has a closer rating does not insure that he will pitch well. [/quote:68cba87f85]
I think this was intended to disagree with my point, but it's actually exactly what I'm saying. The difference is, you seem accepting of it, and I'm not. The game is supposed to replicate real life, so Lidge [i:68cba87f85]should[/i:68cba87f85] be better than Mendoza, but the closer rating fails to achieve this.
There's a reason why K-Rod or Lidge may give up some hits and/or walks but still consistently close games successfully--they manage to get that final out when the tying runner is on base. That would be accurately reflected if Strat had a "clutch" factor for pitchers--but they don't.