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2020 Starting Pitching Discussion

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Looking at the numbers from yesterday's start, Carrasco's velocity was right in line with where it's been since the start of 2016.

2016: 93.8
2017: 94.3
2018: 93.5
2019: 93.5
7/26/20: 93.9

What's interesting is his pitch distribution according to Fangraphs. Typically, Cookie has been a 50% fastball guy, but yesterday he threw it just 34.5% of the time. Another interesting thing was that they had him throwing far more curveballs and far fewer sliders than usual, although this could be a classification error thing since their velocity is relatively similar.
 
Looking at the numbers from yesterday's start, Carrasco's velocity was right in line with where it's been since the start of 2016.

2016: 93.8
2017: 94.3
2018: 93.5
2019: 93.5
7/26/20: 93.9

What's interesting is his pitch distribution according to Fangraphs. Typically, Cookie has been a 50% fastball guy, but yesterday he threw it just 34.5% of the time. Another interesting thing was that they had him throwing far more curveballs and far fewer sliders than usual, although this could be a classification error thing since their velocity is relatively similar.

I was glad to see him maintain that velocity during the game. I know some have thought that maybe his endurance wouldn't be there. Of course we won't really know until a few more starts if he starts to tire out, and that will only happen if the season continues(already two games postponed due to covid outbreaks).
 
What's interesting is his pitch distribution according to Fangraphs. Typically, Cookie has been a 50% fastball guy, but yesterday he threw it just 34.5% of the time. Another interesting thing was that they had him throwing far more curveballs and far fewer sliders than usual, although this could be a classification error thing since their velocity is relatively similar.
That's a huge difference. I wonder if the Royals just happen to have a lot of guys who are vulnerable to breaking balls. Cookie struck out Soler three times, all on low and away sliders. Gordon is another guy who I believe is a dead fastball hitter.
 
Plesac on the mound tonight. I'd never draw conclusions based on one start, but he's by far the guy I'm most concerned about out of our normal 5 (so not including Plutko).
 
Plesac on the mound tonight. I'd never draw conclusions based on one start, but he's by far the guy I'm most concerned about out of our normal 5 (so not including Plutko).
Hard to disagree as to the worry, but he does have some upside, and a tremendous pick off move! So we've got that going for us...
 
Plesac’s best moments last year came when he spread his pitches around more, instead of being mostly fastball and change up.

Hopefully he utilizes his slider more this year. He was at his best when he was mixing that pitch in more than or as much as his change up. Think that’ll be a good tell sign for how today will go. He’s got the stuff, just don’t think he was comfortable enough to use it the most effective way possible with his injury history just yet. Hopefully that’s changed.
 
Plesac’s best moments last year came when he spread his pitches around more, instead of being mostly fastball and change up.

Hopefully he utilizes his slider more this year. He was at his best when he was mixing that pitch in more than or as much as his change up. Think that’ll be a good tell sign for how today will go. He’s got the stuff, just don’t think he was comfortable enough to use it the most effective way possible with his injury history just yet. Hopefully that’s changed.

With Perez out, what type of game does Leon call? (who happens to be the 2nd greatest Indians catcher of all time named Sandy)
 
Plesac had a great start against the White Sox in early June, giving up one run in 7 innings. But they got to him the second time around, dinging him for six runs in five innings in a 7-1 win in September. Hope Zach can get some payback tonight.
 
Plesac’s best moments last year came when he spread his pitches around more, instead of being mostly fastball and change up.

Hopefully he utilizes his slider more this year. He was at his best when he was mixing that pitch in more than or as much as his change up. Think that’ll be a good tell sign for how today will go. He’s got the stuff, just don’t think he was comfortable enough to use it the most effective way possible with his injury history just yet. Hopefully that’s changed.

It appears that his CU has developed further. If that indeed is the case, then we're looking at another gem from this organization. He such a good athlete that maintaining his mechanics does not look like it will be an issue. Sure is nice to see an organization like Cleveland's put a quality product on the field with minimal means.
 
Best start of the year for the Indians so far. Those look like Bieber numbers and it was against a good hitting team. Plesac struck out seven of their nine hitters at least once and got Abreu, Grandal, and Robert twice.

Last time he faced the White Sox, in September, they beat him up so this was a really, really good start. Plesac and Clevinger were working out together in the off-season and I recall Clevinger making some statements to the effect that Plesac was making some strides and he expected him to have a big year.
 
The Tribe's starting pitching was ridiculously good. They're the first team in 27 years to limit the first six opponents to two runs or less in six or more innings through the first six games. They did it without the advantage of cold weather and using six different starters. That's amazing, although three games were against the Royals, so that takes a little shine off it.

The starters have rung up 53 batters against three walks. Astonishing.

The pitching will be tested, though. Through six games the Twins, Cubs, and Reds rank 1-3 in runs per game. The next eight games are against the Twins and Reds, and we'll get the Cubs soon. We're heading into the gauntlet. The gaudy pitching numbers won't hold up so the bats better start kicking in. These next eight games will be a true test of how good our staff really is. Hopefully Bieber sets the tone tonight and everybody follows his lead.

The Twins are 7th in the AL in ERA at 4.09; the Indians are 1st at 2.13. These rankings won't mean that much this season, however, as teams will only play nine different opponents. Comparing the Indians' and Yankees' team ERA's won't have much meaning since they play no common opponents.
 
The Tribe's starting pitching was ridiculously good. They're the first team in 27 years to limit the first six opponents to two runs or less in six or more innings through the first six games. They did it without the advantage of cold weather and using six different starters. That's amazing, although three games were against the Royals, so that takes a little shine off it.

The starters have rung up 53 batters against three walks. Astonishing.

The pitching will be tested, though. Through six games the Twins, Cubs, and Reds rank 1-3 in runs per game. The next eight games are against the Twins and Reds, and we'll get the Cubs soon. We're heading into the gauntlet. The gaudy pitching numbers won't hold up so the bats better start kicking in. These next eight games will be a true test of how good our staff really is. Hopefully Bieber sets the tone tonight and everybody follows his lead.

The Twins are 7th in the AL in ERA at 4.09; the Indians are 1st at 2.13. These rankings won't mean that much this season, however, as teams will only play nine different opponents. Comparing the Indians' and Yankees' team ERA's won't have much meaning since they play no common opponents.
so this raises a question. How do all of these things count in the records book?

Lets say someone bats .425 is that considered the first guy to hit .400 in a season since Williams?

what about a starting pitching staff that has a team ERA of 2.0 is that considered a modern day record?
 
so this raises a question. How do all of these things count in the records book?

Lets say someone bats .425 is that considered the first guy to hit .400 in a season since Williams?

what about a starting pitching staff that has a team ERA of 2.0 is that considered a modern day record?
If you ask me batting .400 for 60 games is not the same as batting .400 for 154 games. This doesn't qualify as a "season" and no records should be recognized this year. What we have now is a play-in for the playoffs, not a real baseball season.

Look at George Brett who was hitting over .400 late in the season and faded to .390. If that was a 60-game season or even a 100-game season he would be the last .400 hitter. But it was a normal season and he didn't make it.
 
If you ask me batting .400 for 60 games is not the same as batting .400 for 154 games. This doesn't qualify as a "season" and no records should be recognized this year. What we have now is a play-in for the playoffs, not a real baseball season.

Look at George Brett who was hitting over .400 late in the season and faded to .390. If that was a 60-game season or even a 100-game season he would be the last .400 hitter. But it was a normal season and he didn't make it.
oh i understand. But the counter to that is, if a guy plays every game in a season, regardless of if that season is 60 games or 162 games, shouldnt that count? its not the players fault the season was shortened.
 
If you ask me batting .400 for 60 games is not the same as batting .400 for 154 games. This doesn't qualify as a "season" and no records should be recognized this year. What we have now is a play-in for the playoffs, not a real baseball season.

Look at George Brett who was hitting over .400 late in the season and faded to .390. If that was a 60-game season or even a 100-game season he would be the last .400 hitter. But it was a normal season and he didn't make it.

I fully support this
 

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