The Flagrant Fan Blogs: Wade Davis

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The bullpen is your home, Wade Davis

<div style="color: #444444; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px; text-align: justify;">As recently as <a data-mce-href="http://msn.foxsports.com/kansas-city/story/long-shot-or-not-wade-davis-still-thinks-he-can-be-a-starter-021414" href="http://msn.foxsports.com/kansas-city/story/long-shot-or-not-wade-davis-still-thinks-he-can-be-a-starter-021414" style="color: #743399; line-height: 1.5;" target="_blank">this last spring</a>, <a data-mce-href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/d/daviswa01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/d/daviswa01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" style="color: #743399; line-height: 1.5;" target="_blank">Wade Davis</a> has expressed his desire to be a starting pitcher. It's not going to happen, Mr. Davis. First, you're not good enough as a starter and secondly, you are too darned good as a relief pitcher. The difference between the two variations of Wade Davis is remarkable and if the Royals' reliever wants a long, long career in baseball, he is right where he needs to be.</div><div style="color: #444444; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px; text-align: justify;">It is easy to understand Davis' desire. He was groomed to start by the great Rays organization and had early success for that team when it was just starting to become a perennial winner. Plus, he is only 28-years-old. But he has had plenty of chances to prove himself as a starter and it just didn't pan out.</div><div style="color: #444444; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px; text-align: justify;">Take last year, for example, when the Royals tried to maximize the trade they made, giving up their best prospect, Myers, for Shields and Davis. Davis made 24 starts in 2013 after being in the bullpen for the Rays in 2012 and it simply did not work out. That is putting things kindly. In reality, he was terrible and according to baseball-reference.com, was worth -2.1 rWAR. His last three seasons as a starter have led to FIPs of 4.70, 4.67 and 4.18 respectively.</div><div style="color: #444444; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px; text-align: justify;">And yet, when the Rays did give up on him as a starter and put him in the bullpen in 2012, he was terrific with 87 strikeouts in 70.1 innings with a 2.78 FIP. And this year, he is just killing it in the bullpen for the Royals. According to Fangraphs.com's leaderboard, Wade Davis has been the second most valuable relief pitcher behind Betances. That's right, he has been more valuable than his own closer and Kimbrel and a bunch of other top notch relievers.</div><div style="color: #444444; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px; text-align: justify;">As stated, the results from the two different roles are striking. As a starter with 88 career starts, his starting ERA is 4.57 with a WHIP of 1.452 and 6.3 strikeouts per nine leading to a 1.88 strikeout to walk ratio. His OPS against as a starter is .778.</div><div style="color: #444444; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px; text-align: justify;">Davis has now pitched 87 times in relief and has a relief ERA of 1.97, a WHIP of 0.985, a strikeout per nine rate of 11.7 and a K/BB ratio of 3.23. His OPS against as a relief pitcher is an incredible .496.</div><div style="color: #444444; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px; text-align: justify;">Yeah, Mr. Davis, you are a relief pitcher.</div><div style="color: #444444; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px; text-align: justify;">It's understandable that Wade Davis would want to be a starter. There is more money to be made being a good starter than a good relief pitcher. A good reliever might garner in the $5 to $8 million range where a good starter can make $15 million on a good day. Just look at the money Hughes got from the Twins after a horrible season last year for the Yankees.</div><div style="color: #444444; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px; text-align: justify;">Which brings up a good point. As starters, I have always made a strong comparison between Hughes and Wade Davis. I even <a data-mce-href="http://passion4baseball.blogspot.com/2011/07/wade-davis-and-phil-hughes-brothers.html" href="http://passion4baseball.blogspot.com/2011/07/wade-davis-and-phil-hughes-brothers.html" style="color: #743399; line-height: 1.5;" target="_blank">wrote about it</a> once. And now Hughes is having a great season with the Twins. That could add fuel to the fire for Davis since they are so similar. Hughes also had good success as a relief pitcher.</div><div style="color: #444444; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px; text-align: justify;">Davis could look at Hughes and say, "Don't give up on me as a starter." But let's face it, the odds of him duplicating what Hughes is doing are remote. He should stick with what he does well. As a reliever, Davis can keep throwing 95 MPH four-seam fastballs instead of the 91-92 MPH fastballs he throws as a starter. The immediacy of what he does with his fastball in relief makes his off-speed stuff that much more effective.</div><div style="color: #444444; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px; text-align: justify;">Let's look closely at Davis' number this season. They will blow you away. He has given up four hits per nine innings. Four! He has struck out 48 in just 29.1 innings. His FIP is currently at 1.18. He has allowed no homers and has a WHIP of 0.818. Holy smokes!</div><div style="color: #444444; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px; text-align: justify;">Fangraphs.com rated Wade Davis' season higher than baseball-reference.com did a year ago, by quite a large margin. And they rated his season last year as worth $8.7 million. His season this year is already worth $7.5 million and we are not yet to the halfway point of the season.</div><div style="color: #444444; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px; text-align: justify;">In other words, based on his years as a starter, Davis is worth a contract of about $5 to $6 million a year. As a relief pitcher, he is worth at least $8 to $10 million. In this case, Davis wants to be a starter because in his mind, he can make more money, plus, there is more prestige to it. But in his case, he can make more money for far longer as a relief pitcher and if this year is any indication, he should accept his fate and smile all the way to the bank.</div>

The bullpen is your home, Wade Davis

As recently as this last spring , Wade Davis has expressed his desire to be a starting pitcher. It's not going to happen, Mr. Davis. ...

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The obscure pitching awards of 2013

I have spent about a week now covering the darker side of baseball statistics encompassing the 2013 season. Call it a balancing of the books when it comes to the regular Awards Season that spends most of our time celebrating the greatness of players during this past season. For every Gold Glove, there are iron ones. For every Rolaids Relief Pitchers there were those that gave the heartburn. What follows are some of the more obscure pitching awards that will not be celebrated when they hand out the trophies. The Lack of Deception Award These starting pitchers did not make a living fooling anybody. <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/h/hamelco01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Cole Hamels</a> led starting pitchers by getting batters to swing at 37.7% of pitches outside the strike zone. These pitchers? Not so much. The four starting pitchers (minimum 100 innings) who least enticed batters to swing at pitches out of the strike zone were: <ol><li>Sam Deduno - 24.1%</li><li><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/marquja01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Jason Marquis</a> - 24.5%</li><li><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/d/doubrfe01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Felix Doubront</a> - 24.9%</li><li><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/e/eovalna01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Nathan Eovaldi</a> - 25%</li></ol> The relief pitchers with the least amount of swings out of the strike zone were: <ol><li><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/l/lecursa01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Sam LeCure</a> - 25.4%</li><li><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/g/greggke01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Kevin Gregg</a> - 25.5%</li><li><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/r/roberda08.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">David Robertson</a> and <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/t/thayeda01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Dale Thayer</a> - 25.8%</li></ol> The Starting Off With the Left Foot Award Everyone makes a big deal out of first pitch strikes. "Get ahead on the count," the adage goes. Throwing a first pitch strike would be getting the at bat off on the right foot. These pitchers are not listening. The relief pitchers with the lowest percentage of first pitch strikes were: <ol><li><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/p/pressry01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Ryan Pressly</a> - 45.7%</li><li><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/h/hendeji01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Jim Henderson</a> - 48.6%</li><li><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/r/roenijo01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Josh Roenicke</a> - 50.4%</li><li>Yoernis Medina and <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/c/colliti01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Tim Collins</a> - 51.9%</li></ol> The starting pitchers with the lowest percentage of first pitch strikes were: <ol><li><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/moorema02.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Matt Moore</a> - 50.9%</li><li>Samuel Deduno - 51.4%</li><li><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/w/wheelza01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Zack Wheeler</a> - 52%</li><li><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/n/novaiv01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Ivan Nova</a> - 52.7%  (pronounced, "Nover," if you are <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/r/remyje01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Jerry Remy</a>)</li></ol> Not that the opposite guaranteed success. <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/h/hugheph01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Phil Hughes</a> led the Majors in first pitch strike percentage (over 70%!) and that did not exactly lead him to a good season. The Here It Is, Hit It and Hit It and Hit It Award Everyone loves a pitcher that can miss bats. <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/l/liriafr01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Francisco Liriano</a> missed more bats than anyone in the Majors in 2013, followed closely by <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/d/darviyu01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Yu Darvish</a>. These starting pitchers did not miss many bats at all. The starting pitchers with the lowest percentage of swinging strikes were: <ol><li><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/w/westbja01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Jake Westbrook</a> and <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/g/guthrje01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Jeremy Guthrie</a> - 5.1%</li><li><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/h/harrelu01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Lucas Harrell</a> - 5.2%</li><li><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/p/pelfrmi01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Mike Pelfrey</a> - 5.3%</li><li><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/v/vogelry01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Ryan Vogelsong</a> - 5.4%</li></ol> The relief pitchers with the lowest swinging strike percentages were: <ol><li><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/badenbu01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Burke Badenhop</a> - 5.9%</li><li><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/manesse01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Seth Maness</a> - 6.6%</li><li>Kevin Gregg - 7.0%</li></ol> The Duck for Cover Award The relief pitchers with the highest line drive percentages allowed were: <ol><li><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/player_search.cgi?results=rossro01,ross--011rob&utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Robbie Ross</a> - 28.4%</li><li>Jim Henderson - 28.3%</li><li><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/h/hollagr01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Greg Holland</a> - 27.3%</li><li><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/t/tazawju01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Junichi Tazawa</a> - 27.2%</li></ol> The starting pitchers with the highest line drive percentages were: <ol><li><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/d/daviswa01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Wade Davis</a> - 28.6%</li><li>Ryan Vogelsong - 27.1%</li><li><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/k/klubeco01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Corey Kluber</a> - 26.3%</li><li><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/z/zitoba01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Barry Zito</a> - 25.5%</li></ol> The Confound the Fielding Scouts Award How do you set your defense when your pitcher's offerings always seem to find a hole in that defense? The starting pitchers with the highest opposing BABIPs were: <ol><li>Wade Davis - .376 - which makes sense with his LD percentage.</li><li><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/blantjo01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Joe Blanton</a> - .351</li><li>Barry Zito - .347</li></ol> The relief pitchers with the highest BABIPs allowed were: <ol><li><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/mijarjo01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Jose Mijares</a> - .410    Holy smokes!</li><li><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/c/cappsca01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Carter Capps</a> - .365</li><li><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/p/perezol01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Oliver Perez</a> - .361</li></ol> No one else was close! The Outfielder Whiplash Award Everyone loves the long ball...unless you are a pitcher. The relief pitchers with the highest percent of their fly balls going over the fence were: <ol><li><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/p/perezch01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Chris Perez</a> - 20%</li><li><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/l/leagubr01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Brandon League</a> - 19%</li><li>Carter Capps - 18.8%</li><li><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/bellhe01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Heath Bell</a> - 18.5%</li><li><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/h/herreke01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Kelvin Herrera</a> - 18%</li></ol> The starting pitchers with the highest percentage of fly balls going over the fence were: <ol><li><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/player_search.cgi?results=hernaro01,carmofa01&utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Roberto Hernandez</a> - 21.1%  (!)</li><li><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/r/rogeres01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Esmil Rogers</a> - 18.5%</li><li>Jason Marquis - 18.2%</li><li>Joe Blanton - 18%</li></ol> The Conga Line Award These pitchers gave up the most base runners of any starting pitcher <ol><li><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/saundjo01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Joe Saunders</a> - 308</li><li><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/samarje01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Jeff Samardzija</a> and Jeremy Guthrie - 307</li><li><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/sabatc.01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">CC Sabathia</a> - 304</li></ol> These relief pitchers (90% or more appearances were in relief) with the most base runners were: <ol><li><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/swarzan01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Anthony Swarzak</a> and <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/c/collmjo01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Josh Collmenter</a> - 116</li><li><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/w/warread01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Adam Warren</a> and TJ McFarland - 114</li></ol> The Cannot Be Blocked Award <ul><li>These relief pitchers led all of baseball with nine wild pitches: <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/o/ottavad01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Adam Ottavino</a>, <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/a/allenco01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Cody Allen</a>, Brandon League, <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/balfogr01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Grant Balfour</a> and <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/a/albural01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Al Alburquerque</a>. Alburquerque did his in the least amount of innings with 49 IP.</li></ul> These starting pitcher led all of baseball with wild pitches: <ol><li>Matt Moore and <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/c/cahiltr01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Trevor Cahill</a> - 17</li><li><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/v/volqued01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Edinson Volquez</a> - 16</li></ol> The Pitching From the Stretch Award <ul><li>Three Colorado Rockies' players tied for the lead with the most balks at three: <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/brothre01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Rex Brothers</a>, <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/e/escaled01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Edgmer Escalona</a> and <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/l/lopezwi01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Wilton Lopez</a>. I think the Rockies need to hold a seminar on this thing as they easily led the Majors with 15 balks. No other team had more than eight. <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/strasst01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Stephen Strasburg</a> also had three.</li></ul> The Free Pass Award <ul><li>I don't know if this award should go to the manager or the pitcher...probably the manager. But <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/belisro01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Ronald Belisario</a> walked the most batters on purpose with ten. Three others tied with eight.</li></ul> The Aren't Walks and Strikeouts the Same Award These starting pitchers (100 IP minimum) had the lowest strikeout to walk ratios in the Majors: <ol><li>Jake Westbrook - 0.88  The only pitcher with more walks than strikeouts.</li><li>Lucas Harrell - 1.01</li><li>Jason Marquis - 1.06</li></ol> The relief pitchers (40 IP minimum) with the lowest strikeout to walk ratios were: <ol><li><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/r/rosarsa02.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Sandy Rosario</a> - 1.20</li><li>Josh Roenicke - 1.25</li><li><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/morribr01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Bryan Morris</a> - 1.32</li><li><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/w/wilheto01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Tom Wilhelmsen</a> - 1.36</li></ol> The Let's Not Turn Two Award <ul><li><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/h/haranaa01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Aaron Harang</a> gets special mention here. Despite allowing 199 base runners via hit, walk or HBP, Harang only induced four double-plays all season. Amazing.</li></ul> The Run at Will Award <ul><li><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/g/gallayo01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Yovani Gallardo</a>, Matt Moore, <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/mccarbr01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Brandon McCarthy</a>, Joe Blanton, Nathan Eovaldi and <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/a/alvarhe01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Henderson Alvarez</a> pitched a combined 807.2 innings and not a single base steal attempt was stopped while they were pitching. At least Gallardo and Eovaldi picked one guy off.</li><li><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/l/lackejo01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">John Lackey</a> led all of baseball with 36 successful base steals against. <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/f/feldmsc01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Scott Feldman</a> was second with 30.</li></ul> The Not Left On Base Award Five starting pitchers ended up having 35% or more of all the base runners they put on base score. That could be bad luck, bad pitching, bad fielding, whatever. But it is what it is. The lowest left on base percentages for starters were: <ol><li><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/l/lylesjo01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Jordan Lyles</a> - 62.8%</li><li><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/j/jacksed01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Edwin Jackson</a> - 63.3%</li><li>Lucas Harrell - 64.3%</li><li>Edinson Volquez - 64.4%</li><li>Ryan Vogelsong - 64.7%</li></ol> I probably could go on all day here, but after a couple of hours, my stomach is grumbling. Happy Veterans Day!

The obscure pitching awards of 2013

I have spent about a week now covering the darker side of baseball statistics encompassing the 2013 season. Call it a balancing of the books...

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MLB Game Picks - Sunday: May 5, 2013

<div style="text-align: justify;">Another day, another postponement. This time it was the Mets and Braves down in Atlanta. I am not sure if the game had been played would have helped or hindered what ended up as a pretty good day. <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/g/guthrje01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Jeremy Guthrie</a> was terrific for the Royals. <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/h/hugheph01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Phil Hughes</a> was great for the Yankees. The Nationals finally won a game that <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/strasst01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Stephen Strasburg</a> started, though he did not get the win. <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/o/ogandal01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Alexi Ogando</a> shut down the Red Sox as predicted. <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/i/iwakuhi01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Hisashi Iwakuma</a> shut down the Blue Jays as picked here.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;">But there were some surprises. <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/p/priceda01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">David Price</a> got smoked at Coors Field as <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/g/garlajo01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Jon Garland</a> continued his comeback season. <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/player_search.cgi?results=fernajo01,fernajo02,fernan015jos,fernan008jos,fernan014jos&utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Jose Fernandez</a> was brilliant for the Marlins as the Phillies only got one hit--by <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/g/galvifr01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Freddy Galvis</a> of all people. <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/k/kazmisc01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Scott Kazmir</a> got his first win since 2010 and although I am happy for him, his effort killed that pick.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;">But overall, it was a pretty good day after some not so good days. Sunday is here and it is always the best day of the week in baseball. The picks:</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><ul><li style="text-align: justify;">The Indians over the Twins: Here comes that Muppets chef again. Say it with me now: <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/k/klubeco01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Corey Kluber</a>. Saying that name in chef voices is one of life's true pleasures. And, yes, I am an idiot. <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/p/pelfrmi01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Mike Pelfrey</a> goes for the Twins. Don't look now, but the Indians are at .500.</li><li style="text-align: justify;">The Yankees over the Athletics: <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/straida01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Dan Straily</a> is the kind of pitcher who gives the Yankees fits. He has only walked one batter so far in eleven plus innings. But he is right-handed and at least that helps. <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/p/pettian01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Andy Pettitte</a> needs to be better than he was in his last outing.</li><li style="text-align: justify;">The Blue Jays over the Mariners: Are any teams as low as the Blue Jays are right now? Holy cow, it has been unbelievable how seldom this team even has a chance to win a game. <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/morrobr01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Brandon Morrow</a> is going to have to pitch a great game. <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/saundjo01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Joe Saunders</a> is going to have to have a bad BABIP game. But somehow this Toronto team needs to win a game.</li><li style="text-align: justify;">The Braves over the Mets: The rain-out allows the Braves to skip Teheran and go with their ace, <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/h/hudsoti01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Tim Hudson</a> today. That helps their cause. <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/n/niesejo01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Jonathon Niese</a> being left-handed plays into the Braves' hands as the Braves as a team have an 85 point OPS advantage against southpaw starters than right-handed starters. See? And you folks still think I wing this, right?</li><li style="text-align: justify;">The Pirates over the Nationals: The Nats' lineup misses <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/h/harpebr03.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Bryce Harper</a> and I think <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/morsemi01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Mike Morse</a>. I still do not get that move. But anyway, <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/r/rodriwa01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Wandy Rodriguez</a> is going to shut them down and the Pirates will score a few off of <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/g/gonzagi01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Gio Gonzalez</a>, who has not yet hit his strike this season.</li><li style="text-align: justify;">The Brewers over the Cardinals: Yeah, this is probably a stupid pick as the Brewers are the Blue Jays of the National League where nothing is going right. But traditionally, <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/g/garcija02.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Jaime Garcia</a> has not pitched well on the road. And <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/e/estrama01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Marco Estrada</a> is capable of pitching a good game. The bullpens on these two teams! Ugh!</li><li style="text-align: justify;">The Reds over the Cubs: First of all, I have picked all home teams and that is scaring me. Second of all, the Cubs are pitching <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/j/jacksed01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Edwin Jackson</a>, who is showing why all those GMs over the winter said, "Um, no thanks." <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/l/latosma01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Mat Latos</a> needs to avoid <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/soriaal01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Alfonso Soriano</a>'s bat, which is heating up.</li><li style="text-align: justify;">The Phillies over the Marlins: Okay, back to normal. Not that <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/h/hallaro01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Roy Halladay</a> will ever get back to his normal. But he should beat the Marlins. <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/sloweke01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Kevin Slowey</a> pitches Slow stuff and sloweyer and sloweyest stuff which could baffle the Phillies' weak lineup though.</li><li style="text-align: justify;">The Rangers over the Red Sox: Oh! I would pay to see this one: <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/l/lestejo01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Jon Lester</a> versus <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/d/darviyu01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Yu Darvish</a>? Delicious match-up. I will take the Rangers at home.</li><li style="text-align: justify;">The Orioles over the Angels: Sheesh, Angels. How can I ever pick you? In desperation, you start <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/w/willije01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Jerome Williams</a> who has been terrific in long relief. But as a starter? We'll see. And then he will only go five or six innings and then there is no Jerome Williams to relieve. Then what? <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/h/hammeja01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Jason Hammel</a> will continue to defy logic as all Orioles' pitchers do.</li><li style="text-align: justify;">The Tigers over the Astros: Could <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/h/humbeph01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Philip Humber</a> lose twenty games this season? It has not been done in a very long time and he has a shot at 0-6. And guess who he gets to go against today: only <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/v/verlaju01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Justin Verlander</a>.</li><li style="text-align: justify;">The Diamondbacks over the Padres: I have a good chance to go with my man-crush here in <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/k/kenneia01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Ian Kennedy</a>. His fly ball pitching should work well at Petco. <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/v/volqued01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Edinson Volquez</a> has not been as laughable lately though.</li><li style="text-align: justify;">The Rockies over the Bay Rays: The Rockies are raking. Tulo and CarGo and the rest are enjoying Coors Field to the fullest. <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/c/cobbal01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Alex Cobb</a>'s stuff will not play as well in the thin air. And <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/c/chacijh01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Jhoulys Chacin</a> has been very good.</li><li style="text-align: justify;">The Giants over the Dodgers: Okay, you Giants. You win. It makes no sense that you always seem to find a way to win. But you do. And it is uncanny. Two walk-off homers in two days!? You guys are outdoing even yourselves. Today, somehow, you will even beat Hyun-Jin Ryu with a <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/c/cainma01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Matt Cain</a> who has not won a game yet this season.</li></ul><div style="text-align: justify;">And the Game of the Day!</div><ul><li style="text-align: justify;">The Royals over the White Sox: This is fun, eh Kansas City fans? This Royals team is fun to watch. They did not strike out at all in yesterday's game. How is that for fun? <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/d/daviswa01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Wade Davis</a> follows Guthrie's great start with one of his own as these things are contagious. <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/q/quintjo01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Jose Quintana</a> is the victim.</li></ul><div style="text-align: justify;">Yesterday: 9-5</div><div><div style="text-align: justify;">Last week: 52-42</div></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;">Month: 25-26</div></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;">Season: 255-190</div></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;">Games of the Day: 24-9</div></div>

MLB Game Picks - Sunday: May 5, 2013

Another day, another postponement. This time it was the Mets and Braves down in Atlanta. I am not sure if the game had been played would hav...

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