The 2014 Season General Discussion Thread (prediction, streak, division, Sacramento)
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Question....
Why, on infield popups, does the pitcher stand there pointing straight up in the air? He might be charged with directing the infield traffic and identifying which player should catch the ball, but that would have to be done orally. None of the infielders are looking at the pitcher or where he is pointing, they are all looking straight up into the air at the flight of the ball.
I think it helps the pitcher mostly. Gives him something to do that isn't the natural instinct to try to catch the ball. Point and then get out of the way. Every infielder has a better angle and perspective on a popup than the pitcher. It is kind of dumb when they excitedly point to a ball that is on its way to becoming a mammoth home run, but the idea of it is still good. Point and run away.
It's beyond me that broadcasters haven't caught on. They talk about the elite bullpens being able to make it a "six-inning game" but don't understand that even an average bullpen is tougher to face than an average starter. Of course, Oberholtzer got sent down, so maybe factor that in.
Things are a lot better than they used to be, but there are still baseball analysts who rely on conventional wisdom rather than statistical investigation.
That bullpens are tougher to score against than starting staffs is manifest without the need for complex stats. In 2013 MLB batted .259 against all starters who had an 4.02 ERA. Against relievers it was a .243 batting average and they posted a 3.59 ERA.
In 2014 so far MLB is batting .255 against starters and .240 against relief pitchers. The starters have a collective 3.85 ERA, the relievers 3.70.
The Astros left 12 men on base last night while being shutout (the record is 16). They had 14 base runners, but two men thrown out stealing.
There seems to be a lot of that lately. Friday, the Phils and Mets left a total of 32 on base in an eleven inning game, going a combined 4-for 23 with RISP.
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The Cubs, with the worst record in the NL, have a better Run Differential than the Orioles, who are leading theiir division with the third best record in the AL.
The Cubs, with the worst record in the NL, have a better Run Differential than the Orioles, who are leading theiir division with the third best record in the AL.
As they were in 2012, the Orioles have been uncommonly fortunate in one run games, going 9-3 so far. The Cubs have been star crossed in one run games, going 2-7. The Pythag expectations would have the Cubs at 18-19 and the Orioles at 17-19, so they are essentially the same talent level.
Dee Gordon of the Dodgers is on pace to steal 97 bases. When was the last time somebody swiped 100 bags in a season?
1987...Vince Coleman, he of the knocked out of the post season by a runaway tarp roller fame. Coleman had 109 swipes.
The following season he stole 88 bases while Rickey Henderson nabbed 93. Since 1988, no one has reached as many as 80 in a season.
Since the new Century began, 70 has been the highest single season total, achieved by Scott Podsednik in 2004 and Jacoby Ellsbury in 2009.
Since the 20th Century began, the 100 stolen base mark has been topped eight times, six of those eight during the '80's (all by either Coleman or Rickey) and the other two were Maury Wills in 1962 and Lou Brock in 1974.
Weird stats of the night: Zack Wheeler, when did you last see a pitcher have the lead the whole game, and have to leave after just 4 1/3, having thrown 118 pitches, a quantity they would be uncomfortable having him throw over 7 innings?
And still to have his team win, having given up 10 walks.
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