Padres News: Josh Hader Playing the Long Game with Health and Availability

Despite working three straight games this week, Hader is prioritizing longevity.

Relief pitcher Josh Hader was a busy man this week, pitching in each of the Padres' three wins over the Los Angeles Angels. It was the first time that Hader, who was selected to his fifth All-Star Game earlier this month, has worked for three games in a row.

Hader, who has 20 saves this season, said that he wanted to make sure he was around late in the season, when wins matter the most.

"It's more thinking about the longevity of it. It's 162 games that we have to play," Hader said. "So if you blow it out too early and you're not available in the late end of the season, it's no use. So it's just reading the body and playing it right."

(Via

The Orange County Register

)

Perhaps it says something about where the Padres currently lie in the NL West and NL Wild Card standings that Hader decided to pitch in Wednesday night's 5-3 win over the Halos. In fact, manager Bob Melvin wasn't sure that Hader was even an option.

"I went in today thinking potentially (he was) not available. And he wanted to pitch," Melvin said.

(Via

The Orange County Register

)

In his three appearances against the Angels, Hader went 2.2 innings and allowed just 1 hit, no earned runs, 4 walks and 3 strikeouts. His ERA this season is just 1.11 while he allows 1.02 walks and hits per inning.

As the All-Star break is only three games away, each win is crucial for a team expected to be among the best in Major League Baseball. Hader knows the value of a win, and also likely knows that he is one of the best closers in the league, and right now the Padres need just that.

"He's got a sense of where we are as a team," Melvin said. "So he wanted the ball tonight in a save situation."