The “SU” statistic in baseball stands for “saves and holds.” A player gets a save when he enters the game with his team-leading by three or fewer runs and pitches for at least one inning, keeping his team in the lead. A player gets a hold when he enters the game with the tying run either on base, at bat, or on deck, and his team never falls behind while he’s in the game.
The history of SU in baseball
In baseball, “SU” stands for “save”. This stat tracks how often a relief pitcher comes into a game and preserves the lead for his team. The save has been an official stat since 1969 and is one of the most important stats for relief pitchers.
Relief pitchers who are good at getting saves are often called “closers”. Closers are usually the best relief pitchers on a team, and they are brought into the game in the late innings to preserve a lead. Closers typically have excellent stuff (fastballs that reach high speeds, compelling breaking pitches, etc.), and they often strike out many batters.
Some relief pitchers specialize in getting left-handed batters out. These pitchers are called “left-handed specialists” or “LOOGYs” (pronounced “loogie”). LOOGYs typically only pitch to one or two batters in an inning and are brought into the game to face a left-handed batter in a crucial situation.
The term “SU” can also refer to a team’s record in games that their closer appears in. For example, if a team’s closer has an SU record of 10-5, he has saved ten games and blown five games.
How is SU used in baseball?
The most common use of SU in baseball is probably as a statistical abbreviation for “saves.” A pitcher gets credit for a save when he finishes a game in which his team is leading by three or fewer runs, and maintains that lead without giving up the information.
In baseball, a save is awarded to a relief pitcher who enters the game in a late and crucial situation, with their team in the lead, and finishes the game without giving up the lead. For example, if a team is leading by two runs with two outs in the bottom of the ninth inning, and the closer comes in to finish the game and gets the final out, they would be credited with a save.
The statistic was first introduced in 1960 by sportswriter Jerome Holtzman, and has been widely used since then as a way to evaluate relief pitchers.
SU can also be seen in fantasy baseball standings, where it represents how many times a team has won when their closer pitches. This can be useful information when deciding which relievers to start or sit in your fantasy league.
So, when you see SU in baseball statistics or standings, it is referring to the number of saves a relief pitcher has. In fantasy baseball, it represents how many times a team has won when their closer pitches.
The benefits of SU in baseball
There are several benefits to having a good SU record in baseball. Perhaps the most obvious is that it means your team is winning more games. A good SU record also directly correlates to a team’s run differential. The more games you win, the more runs you’re likely to score and the fewer runs you’re likely to allow. This leads to a higher likelihood of making the playoffs and eventually winning the World Series.
There are also some less obvious benefits of having a good SU record. For one, it can help attract free agents. Players want to play for winners and are often willing to sign for less money if it means playing for a team with a good chance of winning championships. Good SU records can also help couples negotiate contracts with their players. If a team is coming off a season with a poor SU record, they may have to pay their players more money to incentivize them to stay; conversely, if a team has an excellent SU record, they may be able to get away with paying their players less money.
In short, there are plenty of good reasons for teams to strive for success in their SU records. Of course, winning games is important, but it’s only part of the equation when it comes to building a successful franchise in baseball.
The drawbacks of SU in baseball
A pitcher gets credit for a ‘Save’ when he meets all three of the following conditions:
1) He enters the game with a lead of no more than three runs.
2) He pitches for at least one inning.
3) He finishes the game without giving up the lead.
If he does not meet all three conditions, he does not get credit for a Save. In addition, the pitcher must be on the winning team for a Save to be credited.
The main drawback of using SU as a stat is that it only tells part of the story. For example, a relief pitcher could come into a game with the score tied, pitch two scoreless innings, and then give up a run in the ninth inning to lose the game. In this case, the pitcher would not get credit for a Save even though he pitched well enough to keep his team in the game.
The future of SU in baseball
The future of SU in baseball is uncertain. The team has been struggling lately, and there have been rumors that they may fold. However, the team’s GM has said they are committed to rebuilding and will not give up on the team. Only time will tell what the future holds for SU in baseball.
