On a baseball roster what is the difference between the different types of pitchers?

Answer 1

On a Baseball roster the teams pitchers are categorized in two ways. The first is what hand they use -LHP/Left handed pitcher -RHP/Right handed pitcher The second is there role -Starter/A pitcher who starts the game normally there are 5 in a rotation. They normally go 5 to 7 innings but sometimes less and sometimes more. Some examples are CC Sabathia, Johan Santana, Josh Beckett, Brandon Webb, Cliff Lee. -Spot Starter/A pitcher which comes in either to start a game if the pitcher can't pitch, or comes in really early like in the first, second, or third if the pitcher surrenders a lot of runs or if the pitcher gets injured or ejected. This pitchers help minimize the use of the bullpen. -Long Relief/ A role of one of these pitchers is to come in most of the time there used if the starters comes out of the game like in inning 4 or 5 for giving up a lot of runs or injury or ejection. These pitchers are used to stablize the middle innings and contain the other team. These pitchers will go 2 to 3 innings which rests the rest of the bullpen. They might also be used if there is they are leading by a lot of losing by a lot in the 7th or 8th. -Middle Relief/They come in during the 6th or 7th inning which is when managers want there starters to leave normally. They come in to go a inning or two. -Set Up/A set up pitcher comes in during the 8th in close ball games. Most of the time when they are winning. These pitchers set up a portal to the closers. -Closer/Each team has a closer most have one but a few might have two. These pitchers come into a game in the 9th when they are winning by a few runs. Sometimes they might come into a game if they are winning by a lot just to get some work in. There job is to shut down the other teams offense and get a win. Some examples of these pitchers are Rivera,Paplebon,and K-Rod. Answer coutesy of MJWYMAN (Baseball Guru)