Opener (baseball)

Common card · No. 452930

In baseball, an opening pitcher, more frequently referred to as an opener, is a pitcher who begins a game, but is expected to get only a few outs before being replaced by a long reliever (or follower), in contrast with starting pitchers, who are traditionally expected to pitch as many innings as possible before being replaced. The name "opener" is a reference to the more established term "closer," which refers to a relief pitcher who typically works the final inning of a game. Like closers, openers typically pitch one inning before being replaced. The strategy was frequently employed by the Tampa Bay Rays during the 2018 Major League Baseball season and the San Francisco Giants during the 2023 Major League Baseball season. Ahead of the 2024 season, the Commissioner's Office proposed banning the opener, after which the use of openers fell significantly.

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