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Post by Hart's Middle Finger on Apr 29, 2019 22:05:26 GMT -5
I say we name AA executive of 2020 for hanging onto Webb and bringing him in right when we need him! Wouldn't it be all hilarious and stuff if it worked out well that AA didn't panic while the division was still close, and smart decisions about a couple of value pick ups and some of those "internal options" he mentioned actually ended up being really wise.
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Post by Fumbduckery on Apr 29, 2019 22:10:10 GMT -5
The SD starter did a nice job of actually pitching tonight too.
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Post by brady2705 on Apr 29, 2019 22:19:39 GMT -5
Yep... that was actual "pitching". In a game full of great pitching, it was that sequence that really blew my socks off. Maybe it's because I've become accustomed to a bullpen that just says "throw it hard and pray" ... But to watch our guys go out and consciously disrupt timing ... Was really enjoyable to watch
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Post by Hart's Middle Finger on Apr 29, 2019 22:28:45 GMT -5
It seems to be something the pitcher in question must develop on his own, as it seems we darned sure don't seem to teach it.
I've said time and time again that it seems to me we have bad pitch selection, and what we are doing is too predictable. This was the antithesis of that and kudos to you for pointing it out.
Changing the cadence... holding the ball until the batter relaxes just that little bit, speeding it up after two breaking balls, etc... "pitching"
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Cheaters2
Low A Farmhand
Is really CheatersRus
All Seeing
Posts: 762
Likes: 55
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Post by Cheaters2 on May 7, 2019 20:49:52 GMT -5
, I believe that Kevin Gausman would make a great closer for us right now.
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camarFANgo
Drafted
Analog Man
Posts: 161
Likes: 14
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Post by camarFANgo on May 10, 2019 19:37:38 GMT -5
Looks like Puke is the man.
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Post by Hart's Middle Finger on Jun 24, 2019 17:35:00 GMT -5
So I've commented from time to time about what I consider to be horrid pitch selection from some of our relievers. I have addressed this specifically with Luke Jackson, so I decided to watch his last inning last night once again:
Watching Jackson's last inning:
1-2 count to Gomes and he doubles up on the slider. Had he thrown the FB, it's probably a strikeout. He then throws it again, but no offer. The he finally comes back to his FB but in an emerging pattern the first time he comes back to the FB after consecutive sliders, the set up is off the plate. No offer. He comes back with the FB again but over throws it and we have a walk.
Suzuki AB - Ahead 0-2, he throws the 3rd consecutive slider. First 2 were not strikes so Zuke doesn't offer at the 3rd. At 1-2, yes.. the 4th consecutive slider. Zuke doesn't bite again and we are 2-2. At 2-2 finally decides to throw FB but since he thinks the batter will be looking for it now after 4 sliders, again he doesn't throw it near the plate. Comes back with the FB at 3-2 and it's gently lobbed over where we should have a 2nd baseman but don't because of the shift. Seeing the FB twice in a row, Zuke had it timed.
Turner - Gets ahead 0-1. Should have been a DP on pitch 2, but Dansby can't get the ball out of his glove.
Eaton - Ahead 0-1 on high cheese. Gives up a single to left right through the hole at short because Dans is cheating up the middle trying to get the DP THEY SHOULD HAVE ALREADY HAD.
The always tough Rendon - Gets hosed on pitch 1 call. At 1-0 pops him up to 1st. Out 2
Soto next, and its an easy groundout to Dansby.
Again... I know results are results, but nothing was hot hard at all. There were a lot of swings and misses, but the most glaring issue is that there was no sense whatsoever of using the FB to set up the slider or vice versa. Pitch selection was terrible (slider after slider after slider) and two hits allowed were soft contact where the ball just went where someone wasn't.
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Post by TheCoronaManCometh on Jun 24, 2019 17:40:57 GMT -5
Looking at fangraphs and the metrics show his slider to be, far and away, his best pitch, but you’re right. He doesn’t throw his fastball nearly enough to play off his slider. The times that he does so, effectively, he’s lights out.
I think the biggest issue is that he doesn’t have complete control of his fastball. I think it’s a driveline thing, because the same thing is happening to Muller. Sacrificing command for speed. Makes me want to look at Bauer’s FB effectiveness. If I remember correctly, he also went to driveline.
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Post by Hart's Middle Finger on Jun 24, 2019 18:07:38 GMT -5
It his his best pitch, but no one will swing at it the 3rd and 4th time in a row when they got to 0-2 swinging at the first two that finished off the plate.
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Post by TheCoronaManCometh on Jun 25, 2019 0:06:32 GMT -5
It his his best pitch, but no one will swing at it the 3rd and 4th time in a row when they got to 0-2 swinging at the first two that finished off the plate. Exactly, he needs to throw his fastball more, but when you don't always know where it's going, it's kinda hard to rely on it for strikes or outs.
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Post by mauibravefan on Jun 25, 2019 0:24:10 GMT -5
How much do you think is the catcher calling pitches for him?
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Post by Hart's Middle Finger on Jun 25, 2019 6:50:54 GMT -5
It his his best pitch, but no one will swing at it the 3rd and 4th time in a row when they got to 0-2 swinging at the first two that finished off the plate. Exactly, he needs to throw his fastball more, but when you don't always know where it's going, it's kinda hard to rely on it for strikes or outs. Doesn't have to be a strike every time. It changes eye level and timing for the next pitch no matter what. How much do you think is the catcher calling pitches for him? I don't know, but I don't see him shaking signs off all that often. I can't be sure though.. he may be shaking them off and I don't catch it. ---------- I do wish we had an upgrade, but I also think we could do better with what we have as well.
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Post by TheCoronaManCometh on Jun 25, 2019 8:18:07 GMT -5
I’ve been trying to notice shaking off more. Jackson did it more than once in his last appearance.
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Post by keystone61 on Jun 25, 2019 13:39:41 GMT -5
Luke has a good slider and a good fastball. He should be better than he is, so there's a problem somewhere.
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Post by TheCoronaManCometh on Jun 25, 2019 22:35:36 GMT -5
Exactly, he needs to throw his fastball more, but when you don't always know where it's going, it's kinda hard to rely on it for strikes or outs. Doesn't have to be a strike every time. It changes eye level and timing for the next pitch no matter what. How much do you think is the catcher calling pitches for him? I don't know, but I don't see him shaking signs off all that often. I can't be sure though.. he may be shaking them off and I don't catch it. ---------- I do wish we had an upgrade, but I also think we could do better with what we have as well. Still threw a lot of sliders, but he had complete command of his fastball tonight. This was good Puke. For him it’s all about fastball command. And how about Swarzak?!?!? What a great pick up! I was meh about it, but he’s been aces.
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