Since the start of 2010, I've gone 25-12 with a 2.79 ERA (143 ERA+) and 1.16 WHIP. Over my last 31 starts, I'm 13-5 with a 2.03 ERA (194 ERA+) and 1.06 WHIP.
Last year, I made seven starts in which I went at least 7 innings and gave up 3 or fewer runs (2 or fewer in five of them) and got either a loss or no decision.
I am:
(Hold to mirror) Oteuc ynnhoJ.
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
Monday, May 14, 2012
Jason Kipnis is what he was
Last year, Cleveland's Jason Kipnis got 150 PAs. He posted an .841 OPS and 132 OPS+. He scored 24 runs and had 7 HR, 19 RBI and 5 SB. He had 11 BB. His BABIP was .313.
This year, Kipnis has 152 PAs. He has an .838 OPS and 135 OPS+. He has 22 runs, 6 HR, 22 RBI and 6 SB. He has 13 BB. His BABIP is .305.
His WAR was 1.2 last year. It is 1.1 this year.
One area of improvement: He has reduced his strikeouts from 34 to 24.
This year, Kipnis has 152 PAs. He has an .838 OPS and 135 OPS+. He has 22 runs, 6 HR, 22 RBI and 6 SB. He has 13 BB. His BABIP is .305.
His WAR was 1.2 last year. It is 1.1 this year.
One area of improvement: He has reduced his strikeouts from 34 to 24.
Friday, May 11, 2012
A's for production
Brandon Inge is batting only .222, with a .293 OBP, in his nine games for Oakland, but the A's are getting some bang for their buck.
Inge has five extra-base knocks, including two grand slams, in his 41 plate appearances. He has 13 RBI, thanks to three 4-RBI games.
Inge has five extra-base knocks, including two grand slams, in his 41 plate appearances. He has 13 RBI, thanks to three 4-RBI games.
Monday, May 07, 2012
Max Scherzer makes me crazy
Chances are, Max Scherzer is either going to be really good, or really bad, whenever he takes the mound.
Looking at his Game Scores for this year, he has gone: 15 (really, really bad), 60 (really good), 48 (mediocre), 31 (really bad), 35 (really bad), 74 (really, really good).
Last year was much the same. He had an 81, two other starts above 70 and eight more at 60 or better. He also had six others of 55 to 59. So that's 17 of 33 starts in the really good to really, really good range.
He also had a 12 and two 13s. He had a 29 and three starts between 31 and 34. He also had four between 40 and 44. So that's 11 in the really bad to really, really bad range.
Justin Verlander last year -- realizing this is not a fair comparison -- had only six starts below 53, with his worst being 32.
David Price had only two starts worse than 37, with a low of 22. Jon Lester had six lower than 44, with only one lower than 25 (a 12). Mark Buehrle, who I don't think anyone would suggest has Scherzer's stuff, had seven below 43, with a low of 12.
Scherzer is maddening because when you watch him throw those really good games, you cannot understand why he has so much trouble in other ones. I thought he would harness this stuff and become an ace, but it might never happen.
Looking at his Game Scores for this year, he has gone: 15 (really, really bad), 60 (really good), 48 (mediocre), 31 (really bad), 35 (really bad), 74 (really, really good).
Last year was much the same. He had an 81, two other starts above 70 and eight more at 60 or better. He also had six others of 55 to 59. So that's 17 of 33 starts in the really good to really, really good range.
He also had a 12 and two 13s. He had a 29 and three starts between 31 and 34. He also had four between 40 and 44. So that's 11 in the really bad to really, really bad range.
Justin Verlander last year -- realizing this is not a fair comparison -- had only six starts below 53, with his worst being 32.
David Price had only two starts worse than 37, with a low of 22. Jon Lester had six lower than 44, with only one lower than 25 (a 12). Mark Buehrle, who I don't think anyone would suggest has Scherzer's stuff, had seven below 43, with a low of 12.
Scherzer is maddening because when you watch him throw those really good games, you cannot understand why he has so much trouble in other ones. I thought he would harness this stuff and become an ace, but it might never happen.
Friday, May 04, 2012
Beastie Boys of summer
I'm not a Mets fan, but kudos to the Metropolitans for tonight's idea to honor Adam Yauch, better known as MCA, with all Beastie Boys walk-up music. Yauch passed away earlier today. Here is the lineup, from Anthony DiComo's MLB blog.
Thursday, May 03, 2012
Choking on a baker's dozen
It was an interesting night in MLB. In fact, something rather rare happened, and I'm not referring to the Zambrano-Zito matchup. And I'm also not talking about Jered Weaver's no-hitter.
No, this rarity happened in Atlanta, where the Braves rallied multiple times for a crazy 15-13 victory over the Phillies. With Roy Halladay as Philly's starter. Very weird.
"It was just a weird game all the way around," Braves catcher Brian McCann said on MLB.com. "Stuff you never see happened tonight. I've never been a part of a game quite like this before. Tonight was something that you never see."
Consider this, according to data on baseball-reference.com, since the start of the 2010 season there were 168 games in which a team scored 13 or more runs heading into last night. None of those teams lost. Going back to include 2009 and teams scoring 13 or more runs were 245-1.
I'm guessing no one would've seen this coming, especially with Doc on the mound. It was the 8th walk-off HR for Chipper Jones and his first since May 17, 2006. That one also came in the bottom of the 11th inning, a 3-run blast with Atlanta trailing by a run.
No, this rarity happened in Atlanta, where the Braves rallied multiple times for a crazy 15-13 victory over the Phillies. With Roy Halladay as Philly's starter. Very weird.
"It was just a weird game all the way around," Braves catcher Brian McCann said on MLB.com. "Stuff you never see happened tonight. I've never been a part of a game quite like this before. Tonight was something that you never see."
Consider this, according to data on baseball-reference.com, since the start of the 2010 season there were 168 games in which a team scored 13 or more runs heading into last night. None of those teams lost. Going back to include 2009 and teams scoring 13 or more runs were 245-1.
I'm guessing no one would've seen this coming, especially with Doc on the mound. It was the 8th walk-off HR for Chipper Jones and his first since May 17, 2006. That one also came in the bottom of the 11th inning, a 3-run blast with Atlanta trailing by a run.
Wednesday, May 02, 2012
Catching some Zs
Carlos Zambrano faces Barry Zito tonight in San Fran. They have faced each other previously, but it is rare for starting pitchers whose surnames begin with "Z" to square off.
From what I've pieced together, Zito also faced Victor Zambrano, and Carlos and Victor started against each another. The only other instance, according to an old Jayson Stark note, came in 1925 when Boston's Paul Zahniser and Washington's Tom Zachary met.
From what I've pieced together, Zito also faced Victor Zambrano, and Carlos and Victor started against each another. The only other instance, according to an old Jayson Stark note, came in 1925 when Boston's Paul Zahniser and Washington's Tom Zachary met.
Thursday, April 26, 2012
Inge out
Brandon Inge was released by the Tigers today, bringing a sad but not unexpected end to his career in Detroit.Inge came up in 2001 and saw the Tigers at their worst (2003) and best (2006) during that time. He had his best year in 2006 as Detroit went to the World Series, batting .253-27-83 and playing stellar defense at third. In fact, for several years it was worth watching Tigers' games for his play at third alone.
Always offensively challenged, Inge's power and defense still made him a worthwhile contributor through 2010. But, really, it seemed that he was never the same after having surgery on both knees following the 2009 season, which looked to have diminished his range in the field.
In addition to his on-field performance, Inge was a class act away from the diamond. In 2010, he received the Marvin Miller Man of the Year Award for his work in the community.
Goodbye, Brandon. Thanks.
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
Wanted: Base runners
Entering tonight, the Orioles ranked No. 3 in the AL in HR with 23. They ranked No. 4 in slugging, at .430.
Baltimore ranked No. 9 in runs per game, with 4.25 per contest, and No. 9 in RBI, with 63.
The O's were No. 12 in OBP, at .301. They had hit 15 solo dingers. They had 7 two-run homers and 1 grand slam. Earl Weaver would not be happy.
When they do get men on base, a timely knock wouldn't hurt, either. Baltimore was batting .232 with RISP.
Tonight, the Orioles won 2-1 over Toronto. Baltimore got its first run when Adam Jones grounded into a double play with the bases loaded. The game-winner came on a Matt Wieters' solo HR.
Baltimore ranked No. 9 in runs per game, with 4.25 per contest, and No. 9 in RBI, with 63.
The O's were No. 12 in OBP, at .301. They had hit 15 solo dingers. They had 7 two-run homers and 1 grand slam. Earl Weaver would not be happy.
When they do get men on base, a timely knock wouldn't hurt, either. Baltimore was batting .232 with RISP.
Tonight, the Orioles won 2-1 over Toronto. Baltimore got its first run when Adam Jones grounded into a double play with the bases loaded. The game-winner came on a Matt Wieters' solo HR.
Sunday, April 22, 2012
Swing batter
When Josh Hamilton comes up to bat for the Rangers, don't look away. Hamilton leads all AL batters in first-pitch swinging, at 62 percent.
The Orioles' Chris Davis and Jays' Colby Rasmus are second, at 43 percent, while the White Sox's Brent Morel and Rangers' Michael Young are at 42 percent.
Hamilton is 8-for-15 when putting the first pitch in play, a .533 average, with 2 HR and 6 RBI. He is batting .391-6-15 for the season.
In the NL, Freddie Freeman leads the way at 61 percent. Nick Hundley of the Padres and Andrew McCutchen of the Pirates are tied for the next highest rate, at 46 percent. Pablo Sandoval of the Giants and Dan Uggla of the Braves, both at 45 percent, round out the top five in the NL.
Freeman is batting .583 (7-for-12) when he puts the first pitch in play. Matt Holliday, who has put the first pitch in play a MLB-high 19 times, is batting .263 in that situation. Holliday is swinging 37 percent of the time.
For the season, Freeman is batting .276 and Holliday is hitting .194.
The Yanks' Derek Jeter is swinging 32 percent of the time (17th in the AL) and is 0-for-14. The Royals' Jeff Francoeur is swinging 39 percent of the time (8th in AL) and is 0-for-11. Oddly, Jeter is batting .382-4-12 for the season. Frenchy is at .246-0-2.
Lucas Duda of the Mets might want to hack more often. He's at 17 percent, but 2-for-3 with 2 HR.
The Orioles' Chris Davis and Jays' Colby Rasmus are second, at 43 percent, while the White Sox's Brent Morel and Rangers' Michael Young are at 42 percent.
Hamilton is 8-for-15 when putting the first pitch in play, a .533 average, with 2 HR and 6 RBI. He is batting .391-6-15 for the season.
In the NL, Freddie Freeman leads the way at 61 percent. Nick Hundley of the Padres and Andrew McCutchen of the Pirates are tied for the next highest rate, at 46 percent. Pablo Sandoval of the Giants and Dan Uggla of the Braves, both at 45 percent, round out the top five in the NL.
Freeman is batting .583 (7-for-12) when he puts the first pitch in play. Matt Holliday, who has put the first pitch in play a MLB-high 19 times, is batting .263 in that situation. Holliday is swinging 37 percent of the time.
For the season, Freeman is batting .276 and Holliday is hitting .194.
The Yanks' Derek Jeter is swinging 32 percent of the time (17th in the AL) and is 0-for-14. The Royals' Jeff Francoeur is swinging 39 percent of the time (8th in AL) and is 0-for-11. Oddly, Jeter is batting .382-4-12 for the season. Frenchy is at .246-0-2.
Lucas Duda of the Mets might want to hack more often. He's at 17 percent, but 2-for-3 with 2 HR.
Thursday, April 19, 2012
Run down
The Phillies got 10 shutout innings from Cliff Lee last night and managed to lose 1-0 in 11 to San Francisco. Philadelphia's inability to score thus far in the season highlights one area of concern as they chase another division title.
Last year, the Phils won 102 games despite scoring 3 or fewer runs in nearly 48 percent of their outings. Thanks to their great pitching, though, and maybe some good fortune, they went 30-47 in those contests.
Their .390 win percentage in games in which they scored 3 or fewer runs was well better than the NL average, which was .243.
If the Phils played to the league average last year, they would have won only 19 of their 77 games in which they scored 3 or fewer runs.
So far this season, the Phils have scored 3 or fewer runs in nearly 67 percent of their games. They are 2-6 (.250) in those contests.
Last year, the Phils won 102 games despite scoring 3 or fewer runs in nearly 48 percent of their outings. Thanks to their great pitching, though, and maybe some good fortune, they went 30-47 in those contests.
Their .390 win percentage in games in which they scored 3 or fewer runs was well better than the NL average, which was .243.
If the Phils played to the league average last year, they would have won only 19 of their 77 games in which they scored 3 or fewer runs.
So far this season, the Phils have scored 3 or fewer runs in nearly 67 percent of their games. They are 2-6 (.250) in those contests.
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
Get a whiff
The strikeout must truly be a pitcher's best friend. Not to say a pitcher cannot succeed without striking out batters, but boy does it seem to be a big help.
Taking a look at last year's K/9 leaders, there were 30 pitchers with at least 140 IP and 8.0 K/9. Of those, 24 had an ERA below 4.00. Also interesting, I thought, was the fact 21 of the 30 gave up fewer than 1 HR per 9 IP. Of the six pitchers with an ERA above 4.00, five gave up more than 1 HR per 9.
Conversely, out of the 30 pitchers with at least 140 IP and the lowest K/9 rates, 20 had an ERA above 4.00 (and 6 were north of 5.00) and 15 gave up more than 1 HR per 9. Of the 14 pitchers with a K/9 below five, 12 had an ERA above 4.00.
Taking a look at last year's K/9 leaders, there were 30 pitchers with at least 140 IP and 8.0 K/9. Of those, 24 had an ERA below 4.00. Also interesting, I thought, was the fact 21 of the 30 gave up fewer than 1 HR per 9 IP. Of the six pitchers with an ERA above 4.00, five gave up more than 1 HR per 9.
Conversely, out of the 30 pitchers with at least 140 IP and the lowest K/9 rates, 20 had an ERA above 4.00 (and 6 were north of 5.00) and 15 gave up more than 1 HR per 9. Of the 14 pitchers with a K/9 below five, 12 had an ERA above 4.00.
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
Leading off
There has been a lot of talk on Philly sports radio about the Phillies' lineup and difficulty scoring runs. During the course of the discussions, many people have brought up playing Juan Pierre regularly because he's so great at the top of the order.
Well, that is the perception, but it is not the reality.
Since the start of the 2005 season, Pierre's OBP is .334. He has averaged 43 SB and 14 CS (75 percent).
During that same time frame, Jimmy Rollins -- universally panned as a leadoff man -- has a .332 OBP, almost the same as Pierre. Rollins has averaged 31 SB and 4 CS (89 percent).
So if Pierre is a great leadoff man, so is Rollins. In fact, given Rollins' better baserunning, he is probably better than Pierre.
Well, that is the perception, but it is not the reality.
Since the start of the 2005 season, Pierre's OBP is .334. He has averaged 43 SB and 14 CS (75 percent).
During that same time frame, Jimmy Rollins -- universally panned as a leadoff man -- has a .332 OBP, almost the same as Pierre. Rollins has averaged 31 SB and 4 CS (89 percent).
So if Pierre is a great leadoff man, so is Rollins. In fact, given Rollins' better baserunning, he is probably better than Pierre.
Monday, April 16, 2012
Porcello's grounded
With three seasons already under his belt, it's sometimes hard to remember that Rick Porcello is only 23 years old. (And he doesn't turn 24 until December.)
Some predicted a breakout season for Porcello this year and through two starts he's making good on those forecasts. So far, he has allowed 12 hits and 1 BB in 14.2 IP while striking out 8. His ERA is 1.84.
He's getting groundballs a little more than 50 percent of the time, which is key to his success. I'm sure most would feel better about his ability to sustain this success if he struck out more batters, but he's hovered between 4.6/9 IP and 5.1/9 IP throughout his career.
Obviously, this year's results are an extremely tiny sample. But Porcello pitched well during spring training and ended last season on a high note.
Over his last seven regular season starts in 2011, Porcello was 3-1 with a 3.50 ERA. The Tigers were 6-1 in those starts. He got groundballs 60 percent of the time.
How important are groundballs to Porcello? Last year, there were six games in which he gave up at least three more flyballs than groundballs (according to game logs on baseball-reference.com). He gave up 33 earned runs in those six starts, for an 11.28 ERA.
By my math, that means his ERA in his remaining 25 starts was 3.64.
Some predicted a breakout season for Porcello this year and through two starts he's making good on those forecasts. So far, he has allowed 12 hits and 1 BB in 14.2 IP while striking out 8. His ERA is 1.84.
He's getting groundballs a little more than 50 percent of the time, which is key to his success. I'm sure most would feel better about his ability to sustain this success if he struck out more batters, but he's hovered between 4.6/9 IP and 5.1/9 IP throughout his career.
Obviously, this year's results are an extremely tiny sample. But Porcello pitched well during spring training and ended last season on a high note.
Over his last seven regular season starts in 2011, Porcello was 3-1 with a 3.50 ERA. The Tigers were 6-1 in those starts. He got groundballs 60 percent of the time.
How important are groundballs to Porcello? Last year, there were six games in which he gave up at least three more flyballs than groundballs (according to game logs on baseball-reference.com). He gave up 33 earned runs in those six starts, for an 11.28 ERA.
By my math, that means his ERA in his remaining 25 starts was 3.64.
Sunday, April 15, 2012
When Chase was on
Chase Utley says he shall return, but I have my doubts. Even if he does return, I fear he will no longer be Chase Utley. And that is a shame.
I'm not sure fans in Philadelphia really appreciate what they had in Chase Utley. Sure, Harry Kalas called him "The Man," but it seems to me that while Utley was certainly popular, he wasn't beloved or truly recognized for his prowess. For five seasons, though, Utley was remarkable.
From 2005 through 2009, Utley was arguably the best player in baseball not named Albert Pujols.
He probably should have won at least one MVP award, if not more. But he never finished higher than seventh in the voting, suggesting he was underappreciated in more places than Philly. According to Fangraphs' WAR calculations, Utley's best season was 2008 -- and he was 14th in the MVP voting.
Utley's NL rank by WAR each year was 3rd in 2005, 3rd in 2006, 3rd in 2007, 2nd in 2008 and 2nd in 2009. For those five years, Utley averaged .301, 29 HR, 101 RBI, 111 runs and 15 SB while playing sterling defense.
Oh yeah, he also made one of the best defensive plays in World Series history that no one seems to talk about, either. (Not to mention a memorable effing speech following the victory parade.)
Using cumulative WAR for 2005 through 2011, Utley trailed only Pujols in all of MLB. Alex Rodriguez was third. That's even after his offensive production began to drop a little bit in 2010.
According to Fangraphs' adjusted weighted runs created stat (wRC+), Utley is tied with Rod Carew as the sixth-best offensive second baseman since 1900, behind Rogers Hornsby, Eddie Collins, Nap Lajoie, Joe Morgan and Jackie Robinson.
I don't believe WAR or wRC+ to be the definitive words on a player's career, but they do provide some context. And it says here Chase Utley was The Man. Hopefully, he can be The Man again.
I'm not sure fans in Philadelphia really appreciate what they had in Chase Utley. Sure, Harry Kalas called him "The Man," but it seems to me that while Utley was certainly popular, he wasn't beloved or truly recognized for his prowess. For five seasons, though, Utley was remarkable.
From 2005 through 2009, Utley was arguably the best player in baseball not named Albert Pujols.
He probably should have won at least one MVP award, if not more. But he never finished higher than seventh in the voting, suggesting he was underappreciated in more places than Philly. According to Fangraphs' WAR calculations, Utley's best season was 2008 -- and he was 14th in the MVP voting.
Utley's NL rank by WAR each year was 3rd in 2005, 3rd in 2006, 3rd in 2007, 2nd in 2008 and 2nd in 2009. For those five years, Utley averaged .301, 29 HR, 101 RBI, 111 runs and 15 SB while playing sterling defense.
Oh yeah, he also made one of the best defensive plays in World Series history that no one seems to talk about, either. (Not to mention a memorable effing speech following the victory parade.)
Using cumulative WAR for 2005 through 2011, Utley trailed only Pujols in all of MLB. Alex Rodriguez was third. That's even after his offensive production began to drop a little bit in 2010.
According to Fangraphs' adjusted weighted runs created stat (wRC+), Utley is tied with Rod Carew as the sixth-best offensive second baseman since 1900, behind Rogers Hornsby, Eddie Collins, Nap Lajoie, Joe Morgan and Jackie Robinson.
I don't believe WAR or wRC+ to be the definitive words on a player's career, but they do provide some context. And it says here Chase Utley was The Man. Hopefully, he can be The Man again.
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
On 2nd Thought....
| Player | TEAM | POS | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | TB | BB | SO | SB | CS | OBP | SLG | AVG |
| Mark Reynolds | BAL | 3B | 70 | 230 | 36 | 52 | 52 | 0 | 13 | 37 | 105 | 42 | 74 | 4 | 0 | 0.349 | 0.457 | 0.226 |
| Alex Rodriguez | NYY | 3B | 67 | 253 | 47 | 74 | 74 | 0 | 13 | 44 | 128 | 30 | 56 | 4 | 1 | 0.374 | 0.506 | 0.292 |
| Adrian Beltre | TEX | 3B | 75 | 290 | 40 | 76 | 76 | 0 | 12 | 53 | 129 | 17 | 26 | 0 | 1 | 0.31 | 0.445 | 0.262 |
| Kevin Youklis | BOS | 3B | 68 | 243 | 45 | 67 | 67 | 1 | 11 | 53 | 123 | 41 | 59 | 1 | 0 | 0.393 | 0.506 | 0.276 |
| Dan Valencia | MIN | 3B | 69 | 253 | 23 | 56 | 56 | 0 | 7 | 33 | 90 | 21 | 39 | 2 | 4 | 0.281 | 0.356 | 0.221 |
| Evan Longoria | TB | 3B | 46 | 160 | 25 | 37 | 37 | 0 | 6 | 23 | 65 | 21 | 27 | 1 | 1 | 0.332 | 0.406 | 0.231 |
Mark Reynolds leads AL 3rd basemen in Home Runs, Walks and Stolen Bases. He is 3rd in On Base Percentage and Slugging. He is 4th in Runs, RBI and Total Bases. 5th in Hits and Doubles.
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
What's Good for the Goose is Good for the Gander
Oriole pitchers are hitting .444 in interleague play.
I'd give Mark Reynolds a turn in the rotation.
Friday, May 27, 2011
Joyce to the world
Matt Joyce is among the AL leaders in WAR -- virtually on par with anyone in baseball not named Jose Bautista -- and he's doing it all with one hand. Well, against pitchers of one hand, anyway. Joyce is raking righties. For the year, he is batting .397/.455/.690 against RHP. Some of this is luck, as his BABIP is .443, but Joyce has a career OPS+ of .929 vs. RHP.
Now, the question: Will Joyce ever be able to hit lefties, or should he be platoon only? In his career, he has 658 PAs vs. RHP and 84 PAs vs. LHP. His career line against southpaws is .167/.274/.264.
Joyce won't turn 27 until August, so he is just entering his prime years. If he could hit for power against lefties, which he hasn't in his limited chances so far, it would probably be worth letting him go to the plate. He certainly will not get better by sitting the bench. On the other hand, the opportunities against RHP are plentiful, so he is a valuable weapon. Maybe it's better not to mess up his head with trying to hit lefties.
When Chase Utley came up, it was thought he wouldn't be able to hit lefties. After a year or two of some struggles, he started to mash them. I guess part of it depends if you have a suitable platoon partner. Otherwise, I guess it's best to give Joyce his chances and find out.
Now, the question: Will Joyce ever be able to hit lefties, or should he be platoon only? In his career, he has 658 PAs vs. RHP and 84 PAs vs. LHP. His career line against southpaws is .167/.274/.264.
Joyce won't turn 27 until August, so he is just entering his prime years. If he could hit for power against lefties, which he hasn't in his limited chances so far, it would probably be worth letting him go to the plate. He certainly will not get better by sitting the bench. On the other hand, the opportunities against RHP are plentiful, so he is a valuable weapon. Maybe it's better not to mess up his head with trying to hit lefties.
When Chase Utley came up, it was thought he wouldn't be able to hit lefties. After a year or two of some struggles, he started to mash them. I guess part of it depends if you have a suitable platoon partner. Otherwise, I guess it's best to give Joyce his chances and find out.
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Cruzin
I was in Florida for a weekend of business during the winter, but stayed down an extra day to catch a spring training game. I saw the Cardinals and Marlins play. The Cardinals catcher for much of the game was Tony Cruz, who was destined to start the year at Triple-A. Yesterday, though, he got the call to start in the bigs. He responded by going 3-for-5. I just happened to flip on the game when he came to the plate for his first at-bat, and singled.The following notes are from MLB.com. I took these photos with a camera I'd bought in December and was just messing around with at the spring game.
Cardinals c
atcher Tony Cruz went 3-for-5 vs. the Padres on Tuesday with a double and two singles in his Major League debut. He was the first Cards player with three or more hits in his debut sinc
e Terry Pendleton on July 18, 1984, and only the fifth to do it since 1919. The others: Enos Slaughter ('38), Creepy Crespi ('38) and Ernie White ('40).Cruz was the 17th catcher since 1919 to have at least three hits in his big league debut. The two most recent occurrences before Cruz's game took place last year, when Wilson Ramos went 4-for-5 on May 2 and J.P. Arencibia was 4-for-5 on Aug. 7.
Cruz's three hits were one more than the Padres' total in their 3-2 loss to the Cardinals.
Monday, May 23, 2011
Same but different
Here is the story of two pitchers, one in the AL and the other in the NL.
Entering last night, the NL pitcher was 5-2 with a 2.17 ERA. The AL pitcher was 1-5 with a 4.23 ERA.
Following were their stats in several categories, NL/AL.
K9: 4.88/4.82
BB9: 1.76/1.75
HR9: 0.41/0.88
GB%: 45.5/50.0
BABIP: .224/.312
The NL pitcher is Kyle Lohse and the AL pitcher is Jeff Francis. Looks like Lohse has been a little bit lucky and Francis has been a little unlucky. I'll be interested to see what happens moving forward.
Entering last night, the NL pitcher was 5-2 with a 2.17 ERA. The AL pitcher was 1-5 with a 4.23 ERA.
Following were their stats in several categories, NL/AL.
K9: 4.88/4.82
BB9: 1.76/1.75
HR9: 0.41/0.88
GB%: 45.5/50.0
BABIP: .224/.312
The NL pitcher is Kyle Lohse and the AL pitcher is Jeff Francis. Looks like Lohse has been a little bit lucky and Francis has been a little unlucky. I'll be interested to see what happens moving forward.
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