Guess the pitcher.

[RevSader]

I will break down the WHIP and OPS splits of the four most frequently used pitchers in Texas' bullpen and you will guess who they are without looking the numbers up. (If you look up the numbers, then it's just not even fun.)

Pitcher A:
WHIP: 0.93 OPS Vs LHB: .526 OPS Vs RHB: .442

Pitcher B:
WHIP: 1.33 OPS Vs LHB: .964 OPS Vs RHB: .524

Pitcher C:
WHIP: 1.10 OPS Vs LHB: .652 OPS Vs RHB: .555

Pitcher D:
WHIP: 0.99 OPS Vs LHB: .568 OPS Vs RHB: .462

I try not to look at ERA when it comes to relievers to tell me how good they are. I like looking at how many walks and hits they allow per inning, and the OPS against them. Based on this small assortment of numbers, can you see a pitcher that stands out among his teammates? How would you rank these pitchers in order from most effective to least? A final question...do you think the manager should take a look at these numbers and consider them before placing them in high leverage situations?

 

[Sexy]

I know for sure pitcher B is Robbie Ross. I'm thinking maybe A is Cotts and D Nathan? (Similar numbers >.<) That would leave C Scheppers.

 

[RevSader]

I know for sure pitcher B is Robbie Ross. I'm thinking maybe A is Cotts and D Nathan? (Similar numbers >.<) That would leave C Scheppers.

I don't wanna give it away so easily, but I hope this stirs good discussion!

What about the second half of the post? Your thoughts?

 

[Sexy]

I don't wanna give it away so easily, but I hope this stirs good discussion!

What about the second half of the post? Your thoughts?

Well, Cotts is personally my favorite reliever. He's solid. Nathan is of course good, but I'm quite curious as to how his numbers stack up against Cotts. Ross and Scheppers were both great early on...Obviously Ross is now struggling like mad (esp. against lefties). Scheppers is not too bad but hasn't been as dominant.

For effectiveness I'd go Nathan>Cotts>Scheppers>Ross. Nathan is our closer, but if pitcher A is actually Cotts rather than Nathan, I'd honestly go and flip those two.

I for sure think that a manager should look at these numbers. Of course a couple of pitching stats doesn't always tell the whole story, but when you have these right in front of you, there are some things that are blatantly stupid....(Bringing in Ross to face lefties)

Edit: I just looked up the numbers. I still go with Nathan>Cotts>Scheppers>Ross.

 

[RevSader]

Well, Cotts is personally my favorite reliever. He's solid. Nathan is of course good, but I'm quite curious as to how his numbers stack up against Cotts. Ross and Scheppers were both great early on...Obviously Ross is now struggling like mad (esp. against lefties). Scheppers is not too bad but hasn't been as dominant.

For effectiveness I'd go Nathan>Cotts>Scheppers>Ross. Nathan is our closer, but if pitcher A is actually Cotts rather than Nathan, I'd honestly go and flip those two.

I for sure think that a manager should look at these numbers. Of course a couple of pitching stats doesn't always tell the whole story, but when you have these right in front of you, there are some things that are blatantly stupid....(Bringing in Ross to face lefties)

Edit: I just looked up the numbers. I still go with Nathan>Cotts>Scheppers>Ross.

Glad that you looked them up independently after your original assertion. I think it's a great way for us to see if our perceptions line up with reality.

I totally agree that a manager should have a feel for both the raw data and how the pitcher is feeling that day. Bringing in Ross to face lefties right now, is categorically silly.

 

[Windingmywatch]

Pitcher A 49.2IP Nathan
Pitcher B 51.0IP Ross
Pitcher C 55.1IP Scheppers
Pitcher D 40.1IP Cotts

I went and looked up the IP numbers for each after correctly guessing who was who. IP numbers are important measuring the overall work a pitcher has had ... but it has been a long season and season IP numbers don't reflect who is getting the work now ... and who can handle the heavy leverage situations going forward.

Pitcher C in my opinion is having his breakout season on the mound definitely dominating the opposition. While Pitcher A has been stellar in his role ... in my opinion it is Pitcher D who has had the greatest impact on the win column for TEX out of the bullpen since he was brought up.

That's a pretty big burden to be carried by three guys.

(Edit: Most to least effective out of the bullpen right now? Nathan, Cotts, Scheppers .......... Ross

 

[RevSader]

Pitcher A 49.2IP Nathan
Pitcher B 51.0IP Ross
Pitcher C 55.1IP Scheppers
Pitcher D 40.1IP Cotts

I went and looked up the IP numbers for each after correctly guessing who was who. IP numbers are important measuring the overall work a pitcher has had ... but it has been a long season and season IP numbers don't reflect who is getting the work now ... and who can handle the heavy leverage situations going forward.

Pitcher C in my opinion is having his breakout season on the mound definitely dominating the opposition. While Pitcher A has been stellar in his role ... in my opinion it is Pitcher D who has had the greatest impact on the win column for TEX out of the bullpen since he was brought up.

That's a pretty big burden to be carried by three guys.

(Edit: Most to least effective out of the bullpen right now? Nathan, Cotts, Scheppers .......... Ross

I really have been amazed at Neal Cotts. The guy came out of nowhere and he's recording big outs left and right.

 

[Windingmywatch]

Glad that you looked them up independently after your original assertion. I think it's a great way for us to see if our perceptions line up with reality.

I totally agree that a manager should have a feel for both the raw data and how the pitcher is feeling that day. Bringing in Ross to face lefties right now, is categorically silly.

My sense was the last couple of outings that Ross was brought in to work on his control and to see if he could regain his supremacy over LHB rather than being a situational LHP. Remember he won his job because he could get RHP out. Well ... that was the difference between him and Joe Ortiz ... but might be time for Ross to get some rest and recovery time before the race to the finish.

TEX will need Ross commanding both RH and LH batters as he did when he opened the year.

 

[RevSader]

My sense was the last couple of outings that Ross was brought in to work on his control and to see if he could regain his supremacy over LHB rather than being a situational LHP. Remember he won his job because he could get RHP out. Well ... that was the difference between him and Joe Ortiz ... but might be time for Ross to get some rest and recovery time before the race to the finish.

TEX will need Ross commanding both RH and LH batters as he did when he opened the year.

I prefer guys in the BP to be good at getting both kinds of batters out at a decent clip. Reverse splits sometimes happen with guys that have weird arm angles or extreme break to their pitches. Cotts for example is able to run pitches into righties and it gives them little chance. His reverse splits aren't that extreme though.

I am hoping that Robbie's issues are more confidence based and not fatigue/injury.

 

[Windingmywatch]

I really have been amazed at Neal Cotts. The guy came out of nowhere and he's recording big outs left and right.

We all have become huge Cotts' fans. With his struggle to get back to just get a tryout and then work to get onto a ML mound is inspiring. Had been watching his numbers at AAA both last season and this season and knew it was only going to be a matter of time for him to show his stuff.

Many of us remember AJ was the most excited guy on the field when Cotts came into a game TEX lost (May 21) when he retired 3 batters on 6 pitches ... 5 for strikes. Couldn't find video of that performance but there is of his second night the next night. TEX won that game (Wolf's first ML win) ... with Cotts coming in to strike out the side in the 6th taking over for Wolf.

Video: OAK@TEX: Cotts fans three straight A's to escape jam | MLB.com

 

[pegasusredleg]

I will break down the WHIP and OPS splits of the four most frequently used pitchers in Texas' bullpen and you will guess who they are without looking the numbers up. (If you look up the numbers, then it's just not even fun.)

Pitcher A:
WHIP: 0.93 OPS Vs LHB: .526 OPS Vs RHB: .442

Pitcher B:
WHIP: 1.33 OPS Vs LHB: .964 OPS Vs RHB: .524

Pitcher C:
WHIP: 1.10 OPS Vs LHB: .652 OPS Vs RHB: .555

Pitcher D:
WHIP: 0.99 OPS Vs LHB: .568 OPS Vs RHB: .462

I try not to look at ERA when it comes to relievers to tell me how good they are. I like looking at how many walks and hits they allow per inning, and the OPS against them. Based on this small assortment of numbers, can you see a pitcher that stands out among his teammates? How would you rank these pitchers in order from most effective to least? A final question...do you think the manager should take a look at these numbers and consider them before placing them in high leverage situations?

A, D, C, B. And yes a manager should be looking at these numbers in high leverage situations. I would not put pitcher B in a late inning low scoring game. I would put in pitcher A & D in when I knew the opposing manager is going to play leftie/rightie Pinch Hitter in late innings. Pitcher C&B I would limit how many left handers they faced.

 

[RevSader]

We all have become huge Cotts' fans. With his struggle to get back to just get a tryout and then work to get onto a ML mound is inspiring. Had been watching his numbers at AAA both last season and this season and knew it was only going to be a matter of time for him to show his stuff.

Many of us remember AJ was the most excited guy on the field when Cotts came into a game TEX lost (May 21) when he retired 3 batters on 6 pitches ... 5 for strikes. Couldn't find video of that performance but there is of his second night the next night. TEX won that game (Wolf's first ML win) ... with Cotts coming in to strike out the side in the 6th taking over for Wolf.

Video: OAK@TEX: Cotts fans three straight A's to escape jam | MLB.com

Cotts showed up and just started striking everyone out. It was amazing to see him work. Makes me happy that he will be in Texas for a while.

 

[pegasusredleg]

Pitcher A 49.2IP Nathan
Pitcher B 51.0IP Ross
Pitcher C 55.1IP Scheppers
Pitcher D 40.1IP Cotts

I went and looked up the IP numbers for each after correctly guessing who was who. IP numbers are important measuring the overall work a pitcher has had ... but it has been a long season and season IP numbers don't reflect who is getting the work now ... and who can handle the heavy leverage situations going forward.

Pitcher C in my opinion is having his breakout season on the mound definitely dominating the opposition. While Pitcher A has been stellar in his role ... in my opinion it is Pitcher D who has had the greatest impact on the win column for TEX out of the bullpen since he was brought up.

That's a pretty big burden to be carried by three guys.

(Edit: Most to least effective out of the bullpen right now? Nathan, Cotts, Scheppers .......... Ross

If Ross is going to AAA RR to make roster space for Blackley, then I see Soria getting more calls in the later innings. Does he have enough appearances to measure with A-D?

 

[RevSader]

If Ross is going to AAA RR to make roster space for Blackley, then I see Soria getting more calls in the later innings. Does he have enough appearances to measure with A-D?

I think it's way too early to tell on Soria. Right now is the best time for him to start getting those chances though. That would put him at mid season form by potential playoffs.

 

[pegasusredleg]

I do think Wash and Maddux have done a much better job in the second half of the season with bringing in the best pitcher for the high leverage situations. A good (really meaning bad) example from the first half of the season of failing at this was the Boston game on Thursday, June 6, 2013. We were tied 3-3 with the top to middle of the Boston order coming up in the bottom 9th. Kirkman starts the inning, gives up a double, then intentional walk to Pedroia to get the lefty/lefty match up with none other than Big Poppie. We all remember how that ended...three run HR and game over.

 

[Windingmywatch]

If Ross is going to AAA RR to make roster space for Blackley, then I see Soria getting more calls in the later innings. Does he have enough appearances to measure with A-D?

Joe Ortiz has strung together no runs against in 11 of his last 12 appearances (12.1IP). Maybe Ross could have flip flopped with Ortiz ... but it is getting very late and would have to happen today in order for Ross to get 10 days at RR and eligible for recall before playoff rosters are set.

 

[BLeslie59Rangers]

I do think Wash and Maddux have done a much better job in the second half of the season with bringing in the best pitcher for the high leverage situations. A good (really meaning bad) example from the first half of the season of failing at this was the Boston game on Thursday, June 6, 2013. We were tied 3-3 with the top to middle of the Boston order coming up in the bottom 9th. Kirkman starts the inning, gives up a double, then intentional walk to Pedroia to get the lefty/lefty match up with none other than Big Poppie. We all remember how that ended...three run HR and game over.

This was one horrible evening.....