How did the Twins win yesterday? The baseball experts in here said the opponent knows the game's over when he comes in. :idunno:

For me on Chapman the bottom line is close to what LRCW posted above. No matter how hard you throw the ball in MLB, major league hitters will hit you if you get behind in the count, don't locate pitches and are a one trick pony. Chapman needs to throw strikes with his fastball and a second pitch. If he does that, he will be successful 98% of the time.

How did the Twins win yesterday? The baseball experts in here said the opponent knows the game's over when he comes in. :idunno:

 

Probably the same way Rolen has gone 7-18 since returning from the DL even though some other "baseball experts" claimed he was done, that he would struggle to hit .200 against AA pitching. :idunno:

Probably the same way Rolen has gone 7-18 since returning from the DL even though some other "baseball experts" claimed he was done, that he would struggle to hit .200 against AA pitching. :idunno:

 

 

Unlike many, I'm able to admit when I've been wrong. Others may want to give it a try at some point. :idunno:

Unlike many, I'm able to admit when I've been wrong. Others may want to give it a try at some point. :idunno:

 

 

 

I've never had a problem admitting when I'm wrong. By the way that "waste of a roster spot" had another good outing yesterday. :sssh:

Not all all. It was a 3-1 fastball that he grooved to Willingham. Mastorianni and Morneau he stayed ahead in the count and he K'd them both. Mauer just had a great AB.

 

He started each at bat with a strike. That is the definition of getting ahead in the count to me. Mauer was 1-2 and ended up hitting an opposite filed shot that was about 5 feet from being a HR.

He started each at bat with a strike. That is the definition of getting ahead in the count to me. Mauer was 1-2 and ended up hitting an opposite filed shot that was about 5 feet from being a HR.

 

 

So as long as you throw a first pitch strike, you can throw 3 balls after that, and you're getting ahead in the count? Like I said Mauer had a great AB. There was a couple of pitches that were borderline pitches, that could have gone either way that would have struck Mauer out, but he didn't get the call.

So as long as you throw a first pitch strike, you can throw 3 balls after that, and you're getting ahead in the count? Like I said Mauer had a great AB. There was a couple of pitches that were borderline pitches, that could have gone either way that would have struck Mauer out, but he didn't get the call.

 

As long as you throw a first pitch strike you are getting ahead in the count yes. I think it's more that every player knows they don't have to worry about the breaking ball now than what the count is. Even when he was getting ahead in the count he was throwing mostly fastballs. Hitters are good and they have adjusted.

As long as you throw a first pitch strike you are getting ahead in the count yes. I think it's more that every player knows they don't have to worry about the breaking ball now than what the count is. Even when he was getting ahead in the count he was throwing mostly fastballs. Hitters are good and they have adjusted.

I agree with this.

Chapman will be fine in the closer role this year, no need to worry. Its a long season, and people are going to go through slumps and through some bad times. To many times Red fans want guys gone or want someone else as soon as someone struggles. I remember two years ago when the Reds won the division, people wanted 3/4ths of the team either traded or sent down at some point in that season. So I give people credit it hasn't been as bad this year with that at least compared to two years ago.

LRCW this is the best I can do for now. I'll look again tomorrow.

 

http://www.retrosheet.org/Research/SmithD/ScoringPattern.pdf

 

This is the article that had the link in it. It's an interesting read.

 

Does baseball really need closers? - thestar.com

He can stop the tumbling. I'm sure he meant nothing by it, but the Brewers will put a fastball in Votto's back over stuff like this.

Chapman will be fine in the closer role this year, no need to worry. Its a long season, and people are going to go through slumps and through some bad times. To many times Red fans want guys gone or want someone else as soon as someone struggles. I remember two years ago when the Reds won the division, people wanted 3/4ths of the team either traded or sent down at some point in that season. So I give people credit it hasn't been as bad this year with that at least compared to two years ago.

 

Sure. He'll be fine in that role. Alfredo Aceves has been fine, by his stats, in the closer role for the Red Sox. Would you want Aceves closing games for you?

He can stop the tumbling. I'm sure he meant nothing by it, but the Brewers will put a fastball in Votto's back over stuff like this.

 

And rightfully so.

 

Was very happy to see Dusty and other Reds (BP took to Twitter) let it be known how much they disapproved of that crap.

I think it at least bears mentioning that Chapman may have been over used. Some people thought that might happen if he was moved to closer. Obviously he proved he can be the closer and not only do well but dominate. The question going froward (future years too) is should they do things like not use him with a 3 run lead if he's gone twice in a row? Not use him 3 or 4 times in a row or 5 out of 6? What can they do in the future to combat a dead arm?