Monday, July 20, 2009

Inside The Numbers

Pitcher of the Week, Tim Loewer, has our focus this week. The Pirates star pitcher has a 16-2 record in 25 starts, 2nd at the moment on the Cy Young ballot, 4th in strike outs, and that is only the beginning.

What the numbers doesn't show is that he is a short starter. He averages 6 innings per start at best while throwing about 90 pitches per start. Who is the real star in Pittsburgh, the offense or the bull pen?

Bart Ross was called up by the Indians right after the draft when they went on the road to the AL parks. The intention may have been to give him some ML AB's at the DH position. Upon further review of Inside the Numbers indicate otherwise. If one looks at his hitting ratings, one can understand. Although he still has room to grow in that area, what purpose would it have been to leave him the minors for the rest of the year? He really isn't going to be a much better hitter, maybe a little better fielder. He will be an OBP machine joining Albert Tapies and Giovanni Jackson in that regard.

Even thought the Indians sport the best defense in the league and three power OBP machines, why can't they score runs? The answer is simple, they don't have a David Guardado to back them up. They have hoped to find a player that would produce but have failed as they have had to fix the pitching needs first. However there is hope that may arrive on the scene next season to fulfill their needs.

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