Part 3/10:
Specialization in pitching roles began to gain traction in the 1950s with the introduction of the five-man rotation. This change provided pitchers with more rest but ultimately reduced the number of games they could start in a season. The emergence of specialized relief pitchers in the 1970s further changed how managers approached the later innings of games, often opting for fresh arms instead of allowing a starter to continue for a complete game.
The Role of Analytics