2021 Season | Series #47 | Royals @ Indians | Sep. 20-22

[DCTribefan]

Wittgrens ERA going into tonight was 4.67. It will go up.

But is he having an off season, or is he just a bad reliever?

Before you answer, I will help with your research.

At age 31, Blake Parker had an ERA of 4.67. Both Seattle and NY figured he was bad. The Angels thought he had an off year.

Over two years and 137 appearances for Anaheim, he put up ERAs of 2.54 and 3.26.

At age 34 he had an ERA of 4.21, and by mid season Minnesota thought he was bad, and let him go. Philadelphia picked him up and he was worse...5.04 ERA. But Philly thought he had an off year, so they brought him back.

His ERAs the last two years have been 2.81 and 2.54.

Parker is not an anomaly. His is the normal story of a career middle reliever.

One example does not prove your argument. There will always be outliers but it seems reasonable to project that Wittgren’s career trajectory is heading downward.

 

[DCTribefan]

Zimmer struck out looking. Stop me if you’ve heard this before.

 

[Gson]

Nice swing by Bobby B for the Homer..

Yu Chang has the Jhonny Peralta disease.. he bites HARD on that slider that starts on the edge fo the plate and falls into the LHH's batters box.. He swinnnnnggggggs and misses.. way to often on that.. Ball Game.. indians are swept..

 

[Real Deal]

Bieber, Civale, Quantril, Plesac, McKenzie won't fix the inconsistent bats in 2022. I hope they really consider adding a threat next to Jose and Franimal. Our pitching is playoff ready. Bats are below middle of the pack in the AL.

 

[Wham with the Right Hand]

Nice to get a chance to see guys like Francisco Perez and Anthony Gose. At one point when Salvaldor Perez was batting the pitcher, catcher, and hitter were all named Perez. I wonder how many times in baseball history all three had the same last name.

Francisco Perez wasn't bad. Salvador Perez doubled on a pitch off the outside corner, but no shame in that. Gose couldn't get his breaking ball anywhere near the strike zone but his 100 mph fastball was good enough. I don't think he can pitch up here until he can throw his off speed pitch for strikes.

The Royals gets some payback but they'll have to deal with Quantrill tomorrow.

 

[CDAV45]

One example does not prove your argument. There will always be outliers but it seems reasonable to project that Wittgren’s career trajectory is heading downward.

Until this season, Nick has been a pretty solid reliever. However, I think that the trajectory you speak of could be true. Hopefully he rebounds and has a few more good years before his career comes to an end.

 

[Mott the Hoople]

With the Royals sweep today I believe the Tigers are only 1 game behind us. Would it be a bad thing to finish 3rd in the division? I know we would get a way higher pick in the draft.
On the other hand, you always want your guys to fight for something.

 

[CDAV45]

When he was in relief his fastball was getting to 99/100 in spring... I think that's more of a weapon than a 94 trying to go multiple innings with so-so command

What if the command improves was the point Coach. I'm not ready to write him off as a SP just yet, but he is certainly suspect.

 

[CDAV45]

royals treating us like we treated the yankees

Baseball is a funny thing.

 

[CDAV45]

One example does not prove your argument. There will always be outliers but it seems reasonable to project that Wittgren’s career trajectory is heading downward.

Forget examples, look at Wittgren's career. He's been a solid reliever with off years in 2017 and this season. I don't believe that gives any definitive answers because I don't believe there are any definitive answers for relievers. CATS' point has some validity and everyone that watches MLB knows how volatile bullpens can be from season to season.

 

[sportscoach]

Forget examples, look at Wittgren's career. He's been a solid reliever with off years in 2017 and this season. I don't believe that gives any definitive answers because I don't believe there are any definitive answers for relievers. CATS' point has some validity and everyone that watches MLB knows how volatile bullpens can be from season to season.

Hate to say it, but with Wittgren going into Arb 3, it could get him cut... to me he's one of those guys I have no qualms if we keep him and no qualms if we cut him..

 

[Wham with the Right Hand]

Tonight Quantrill goes against rookie LHP Daniel Lynch, 6'6", age 24. Lynch has made 13 starts this season with an ERA of 5.34 and a WHIP of 1.61. Lately he has really struggled, giving up 11 earned runs in his last three starts covering 10.2 innings.

Lynch is very tough on lefties (.179/.464) but right-handed hitters pretty much own him (.308/.867). He started one game against the Tribe, allowing 3 runs in 4.2 innings. Batters hit .313 off him with runners on base and .313 with RISP.

I expect a right-handed lineup with Mercado and Harold (if he's OK after bouncing off the wall Sunday) in left and right and Amed back at SS (if he's back).

The starting pitching matchup is a huge advantage in favor of the Indians, but so was the Cole vs. Morgan matchup on Sunday (in the Yankees favor) and look who won.

The Royals have a few hitters who are on fire right now. Hunter Dozier is hitting .346/1.169 over the last week. Nicky Lopez is hitting .385 the last month. Andrew Benintendi is hitting an insane .456/1.221 over the last 15 days. Salvadore Perez has a .928 OPS in September. Quantrill needs to be careful with these guys.

Yesterday it looked like the Royals had a game plan to sit on McKenzie's high fastball. Dozier swung at one that was well above the strike zone and hit it out. If he was just reacting to the pitch he probably takes it for a ball, but it appeared he was waiting for a high fastball and was going after it regardless of whether it was a strike. Same with Benintendi, who hit a fastball on the upper edge of the zone.

I want to see more of Hentges and Francisco Perez as we finish the season.

 

[Gson]

Nice to get a chance to see guys like Francisco Perez and Anthony Gose. At one point when Salvaldor Perez was batting the pitcher, catcher, and hitter were all named Perez. I wonder how many times in baseball history all three had the same last name.

Francisco Perez wasn't bad. Salvador Perez doubled on a pitch off the outside corner, but no shame in that. Gose couldn't get his breaking ball anywhere near the strike zone but his 100 mph fastball was good enough. I don't think he can pitch up here until he can throw his off speed pitch for strikes.

The Royals gets some payback but they'll have to deal with Quantrill tomorrow.

One outing.. shows some of his potential.. not his consistency.. After the Olympic Games.. Gose's walk rate plummeted.. I'm certain (and after watching many of your posts) & you'd agree that more samples are needed before a decision on his future will be revealed.. The shape and release point of his off speed pitch (the curve ball)..says it can be a weapon.. the FB already is.. Put two weapons into the arm of an RP..and you have something..

Thoughts?..

 

[KluberSociety]

Honestly all he needs to do is command his FB reasonably well and just put something offspeed in the back of the minds of hitters and he's a MLB pitcher to me. Might be a tall order though.

 

[jup]

Yesterday it looked like the Royals had a game plan to sit on McKenzie's high fastball. Dozier swung at one that was well above the strike zone and hit it out. If he was just reacting to the pitch he probably takes it for a ball, but it appeared he was waiting for a high fastball and was going after it regardless of whether it was a strike. Same with Benintendi, who hit a fastball on the upper edge of the zone.

9 hits 7 earned runs !!! In 4.1 innings

Lets hope they were sitting on something because this clearly isn't a recipe for FOR starter success. More likely a BOR part on a sub 500 team, which it looks like the Indians will definitely be after this pitiful sweep.

I have to hand it to the Indians org as far as their run of success. Looks like we have to go back to '12 or so to find an under 500 team. Darn good run