The Enigma: Jorge López

[imref]

5-0, 5.82 ERA. Remarkably, Baseball Reference says he only has two blown saves, both ended up as wins for him.

He actually brought his ERA down from 5.82 with today's performance

Including today's game, he's 2-0, 1.93 ERA, 1.07 WHIP, in his last 3 outings (4.2 IP)

[readonly]

He's the master of coming into the game at just the right moment. 

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Wasn't tonight another? Or was it tied when he came in? I think one of his wins was after a blown save by someone else, maybe Ferrer.

[Slateman]

NL leader in Wins

[JCA-CrystalCity]

4/23 - his own blown save and win against the Orioles. Entered in the 7th with bases full, allowed one to score. Started the 8th with a triple to Westburg, who eventually scores to tie the game at 3. Nats score in the bottom of the 8th for the Blown Save/ Win.

4/25 - enters in the 9th after the Mets rally for 4 runs to grab a one run lead off Ferrer and Finnegan (Finny with one of his blown saves). Pitches a clean 9th, Nats rally for 2 in the bottom half for a walk off on a Wood hit scored a single that drives in CJ from 1st.

4/27 - Opposite scenario but win on a 9th inning 2 run rally again. Nats come back from big deficit to score 5 in the 7th and trail by one run. Lopez faces 1 batter with 2 on and gets a grounder to Garcia to finish the 9th. Nats rally against Stanek and win on a sloppy throw to 1st by Alonso.

5/4 - Pitches the 6th and 7th clean for the win. Entered a 1-1 game, then the Nats rally for 3 in the top of the 7th to grab a lead. This game was in the hottest streak for the bullpen all year as Gore goes 5 and hands the game to Lopez to Ferrer to Finnegan. 4 shutout innings with just one hit allowed by "Bullpen A."

5/6 - Second blown save win.  Meltdpwn inning by Ferrer, Lopez enters with 2 on and one out, gives up 3 hits, lets both score, gives up one charged to him but gets out of the 7th. Nats rally to take a 2 run  lead in the bottom half, then Lopez comes back to pitch a clean 8th. Finny gives up 1 in the 9th but gets the save.

So, two classic "I blow the save then shoot for the win" BSW scenarios, plus one save blown by others before him followed by an entrance and a win.

[Slateman]

But tied for the NL lead in wins.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

after Wednesday, I'm thinking he more the enema than the enigma.

[Slateman]

Third time in four days.

It just seems when he's bad, he's really bad. Actually, it seems like that's pretty much the entire pen right now.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

He was kind of pushed in the day game the day before.  Maybe coming back in a hot mess after going 2 innings the day before was too much. Need to go through his game logs and see how many times he's executed well as a fireman with guys on.

[imref]

6 wins (tied for mlb lead), 7.20 ERA.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

He's entered with 13 runners on and allowed 5 to score (38%).
https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/gl.fcgi?id=lopezjo02&t=p&year=2025

4/9 - 7th inning, enters with 2 outs. 2 on / 0 score. 1.1 IP, 2 days rest, 0 runs allowed.
4/20 - 8th inning, 1 out. 2 on / 1 score. 0.2 IP, 3 days rest, 0 runs charged.
4/23 - 7th inning, 1 out. 3 on / 1 score. 1.2 IP, 2 days rest, 1 run charged. Blown save win
4/27 - 9th inning, 2 outs. 2 on / 0 score. 0.1 IP, 1 day rest, 0 runs allowed. Win.
5/6 - 7th inning, 1 out. 2 on / 2 score. 1.2 IP, 1 day rest, 1 run charged. Blown save win.
5/7 - 6th inning, 0 out, 1 on / 1 score. 0.0 IP, 0 days rest, 3 runs charged.
5/12 - 7th inning, 2 out, 1 on / 0 score. 0.1 IP, 4 days rest, 0 runs allowed.

He's been used 5 times with 0 days rest. As for the "fireman" mid-innings, guys on, he's allowed inherited runners to score 4 out of 7 times he's tried. He's gotten lucky with 2 blown save wins.

4/6, 1 IP (started the 8th), 2 hits, 1 run. hold
4/13, 1 IP (starts 7th), 3 hits, 3 runs (HR).
5/7 - see above. 3 hits and a BB
5/13 - 0.2 IP (starts the 8th), 2 hits, 1 HBP, 1 run.
5/16 - 1 IP (starts the 8th), 2 hits, 0 runs.

Pretty much can't be used on 0 days rest. Really dodged a bullet last night.

to me, it looks like he's best used with clean innings and at least 1 days' rest.