Here's a quick look at the three probable starters for the Brewers this weekend:
Friday: Chris Capuano
2-2, 5.06, 5 HR allowed, .272 average against, .333 average on balls put in play
Saturday: David Bush
7-11, 4.71, 25 HR allowed, .293 average against, .305 average on balls put in play
Sunday: Randy Wolf
10-10, 4.76, 26 HR allowed, .272 average against, .290 average on balls put in play
Just when the offense needs a little pick-me-up, here come the rather generous Brewers, allowing about a .300 average if you put the ball in play. They also have taken the whole "chicks dig the long ball" thing quite seriously, believing that chicks dig it when you give up the long ball.
This series, however, has a "Danger, Will Robinson!" feel to it. Capuano's stats are inflated partially because he hasn't pitched well in his three starts over eighteen appearances. In his last start against Pittsburgh on August 28, he gave up six earned in three innings in a game the Brewers came back to win, 8-7. This is just the type of pitcher that, historically, has given the Phillies fits: a guy who, on the face of it, the Phils should light up like one of Harry's Macanudos, but who channels Whitey Ford for his appearance against the Phils.
Of course, Randy Wolf is always up for games against his former team, and that means you can throw out his stats, as well. He'll come out, guns a-blazin', and give the guys a tough time, you can almost play the "Whitey Special", and bet your house on it.
On paper, this should be a sweep for the Phils. But don't be too surprised if Messrs. Capuano and Wolf play like gangbusters this weekend.
Order up!
Showing posts with label Pitching analysis. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Pitching analysis. Show all posts
Friday, September 3, 2010
Saturday, August 21, 2010
Today's Starter: Kyle Kendrick
This morning, we take a look at tonight's projected starter, Kyle Kendrick.
On the season, Kyle is 8-5 with a 4.45 ERA, with 69 strikeouts and 37 walks in 137-2/3 innings of work. He's surrendered 22 homers so far this season in 25 appearances.
Kyle had been projected as going back to the minors before Jamie Moyer suffered his season-ending injury, and with good reason. In 25 games, lefties are torching him for a .324 average, and he's struggled with his control against lefties as 22 of his 37 walks have been issued to them. His WHIP against left-handed batters is 1.70.
I mention this because two of the Nationals' offensive leaders, Nyjer Morgan and Adam Dunn, are both lefties. Morgan, who has 30 steals on the season, is the table-setter, and Dunn, who has 31 dingers on the campaign, is usually the guy who's driving Morgan home. Dunn has fanned 152 times this season, and Morgan has whiffed 68 times, so these are free swingers (especially Dunn) who have few pitches they don't like. If Kyle can keep the ball down, he has a fighter's chance of getting around these two.
However, the Nats have peppered Kendrick from both sides of the plate so far this year. In two appearances, Kendrick has posted a 17.47 ERA in 5-2/3 innings. He's had a no-decision in each game, but the Nats are hitting a tee-ball like .444 against him so far this season.
There is hope, Phillies fans.
In his last five starts, dating back to July 24, Kendrick is 3-1 with a 3.06 ERA and a WHIP of 1.33. That's well below his season averages, and does include his August 10th debacle against the Dodgers, giving up six runs in 3-1/3 innings in the 15-9 loss. So, taking that out of the equation, Kendrick's other four starts in that span showed him 3-1 with a 1.73 ERA and WHIP of 1.12,
I've read a few things about Kendrick, and from what I have seen, Kyle saw the light when he was about to be sent down when Oswalt came to town, and between that prospect, and the additional tutelage he is receiving from Halladay, Hamels, and Oswalt, is starting to show signs of what scouts and Phillies manangement saw in him in his 2007 rookie campaign.
I'm gonna go all crystal ball here and say that Kendrick can't possibly remain this bad against Washington as he has been. Both of his previous starts against the Nationals came back in April, and Kendrick has made some significant progress since then. I think he'll have a terrific game this evening, given the guy he's facing, Steven Strasburg.
This could be a good one ... so grab yourself a 'steak or a hoagie, a pack or two of butterscotch krimpets, and a Frank's Black Cherry Wisniak (or your favorite libation) ... and enjoy the ballgame!!!
On the season, Kyle is 8-5 with a 4.45 ERA, with 69 strikeouts and 37 walks in 137-2/3 innings of work. He's surrendered 22 homers so far this season in 25 appearances.
Kyle had been projected as going back to the minors before Jamie Moyer suffered his season-ending injury, and with good reason. In 25 games, lefties are torching him for a .324 average, and he's struggled with his control against lefties as 22 of his 37 walks have been issued to them. His WHIP against left-handed batters is 1.70.
I mention this because two of the Nationals' offensive leaders, Nyjer Morgan and Adam Dunn, are both lefties. Morgan, who has 30 steals on the season, is the table-setter, and Dunn, who has 31 dingers on the campaign, is usually the guy who's driving Morgan home. Dunn has fanned 152 times this season, and Morgan has whiffed 68 times, so these are free swingers (especially Dunn) who have few pitches they don't like. If Kyle can keep the ball down, he has a fighter's chance of getting around these two.
However, the Nats have peppered Kendrick from both sides of the plate so far this year. In two appearances, Kendrick has posted a 17.47 ERA in 5-2/3 innings. He's had a no-decision in each game, but the Nats are hitting a tee-ball like .444 against him so far this season.
There is hope, Phillies fans.
In his last five starts, dating back to July 24, Kendrick is 3-1 with a 3.06 ERA and a WHIP of 1.33. That's well below his season averages, and does include his August 10th debacle against the Dodgers, giving up six runs in 3-1/3 innings in the 15-9 loss. So, taking that out of the equation, Kendrick's other four starts in that span showed him 3-1 with a 1.73 ERA and WHIP of 1.12,
I've read a few things about Kendrick, and from what I have seen, Kyle saw the light when he was about to be sent down when Oswalt came to town, and between that prospect, and the additional tutelage he is receiving from Halladay, Hamels, and Oswalt, is starting to show signs of what scouts and Phillies manangement saw in him in his 2007 rookie campaign.
I'm gonna go all crystal ball here and say that Kendrick can't possibly remain this bad against Washington as he has been. Both of his previous starts against the Nationals came back in April, and Kendrick has made some significant progress since then. I think he'll have a terrific game this evening, given the guy he's facing, Steven Strasburg.
This could be a good one ... so grab yourself a 'steak or a hoagie, a pack or two of butterscotch krimpets, and a Frank's Black Cherry Wisniak (or your favorite libation) ... and enjoy the ballgame!!!
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