NL East:
Mets
Phillies
Braves
Marlins
Nationals
The Nats landed Dunn, but that will not help much. Picking up Ben Sheets and Orlando Hudson would have been good moves, but the club is committed to building from its farm system. More Dukes and less Kearns would be nice too. Too many players couldn't hit - the pitching staff was subpar, but that offense could not get anything going. The Phillies will not win the division, and I blame it all on Chan Ho Park. He will give up 50 homers in 2009. The Braves signed Derek Lowe, but we should remember they're down Tim Hudson.
NL Central
Cubs
Cardinals
Brewers
Astros
Pirates
Reds
The Cubs kinda stagnated with their club, the Brewers fell, and nobody else really seemed to do anything this offseason. St Louis should get a healthy Carpenter back at some point, and that will give them the edge. Unless Pujols needs TJ surgery.
NL West
Dodgers
Giants
D-Backs
Rockies
Padres
Paul Depodesta's impact can be seen as San Diego keeps acquiring players that would have fit well with the 2005 Dodgers. Orlando Hudson will be missed in Arizona, and Randy Johnson will be welcome in San Francisco. Arizona, LA and SF have decent rotations, but if RJ is healthy and Zito maintains his 2nd half form along with Cain and Lincecum, the Giants will be tough to score on, at least. Although Edgar Renteria will be a defensive downgrade from even 104-year-old Omar Vizquel. This also assumes, of course, the Dodgers sign Manny.
Postseason:
Dodgers over Mets in 5
Cubs over Phillies in 4
Dodgers over Cubs in 6
And watch this fall on its face.
Showing posts with label Other Teams. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Other Teams. Show all posts
Friday, February 6, 2009
Friday, February 15, 2008
Quick! Make some predictions!
Well, this will be a challenge, because one has to guess which players get playing time, who gets injured, who plays freakishly well, who loses everything, etc. But might as well jump out before everyone else. Even though Kyle Lohse is still unemployed.
National League - AL review to come later.
EAST
Mets
Phillies
Braves
Marlins
Nationals
The Mets have a bit of a weakness at 2nd base, but other than the September collapse of Jose Reyes, they should own the division. Pedro looked like himself in September, at least by the numbers, and adding Santana should make that the best rotation at least in the division, if not the league. John Maine, Oliver Perez, and either El Duque or Mike Pelfrey will fill out the rotation, probably quite successfully.
Philadelphia still lacks a lot of pitching depth behind Hammels, and in the absence of Aaron Rowand's career year, their offense will have to put in a little more effort to keep being awesome.
Atlanta is missing Andruw Jones and Kotsay is an injury risk, as is Chipper Jones, which is a shame. A full year of Chipper would be huge for Atlanta. The Braves do have the potential to outdo the Phillies if their offense keeps up, particularly with Renteria now in Detroit. Healthy years from Gonzalez and Soriano will also vastly help Atlanta, although Joey Devine would have been huge for Atlanta. Smoltz and Glavine are both older than dirt, though, so you never know there, and I don't think Mike Hampton will ever be healthy again. He probably forgot what baseballs look like.
The Marlins had an ugly year last year, but they should be getting Olson back from injury. They are down Cabrera, but they got Maybin, who will fill the centerfield hole - yeah, the Marlins look like they miss Juan Pierre. Their power-hitting middle infield, though, is still quite young.
The Nats made some nice acquisitions with Dukes and Milledge, but that doesn't change that they might actually start Christian Guzman at short still. On top of that, their pitching staff has some upside but is far too injury prone to inspire a lot of confidence.
Central
Brewers
Cubs
Cardinals
Reds
Pirates
Astros
At the very least, I'd say there's a split between the top 3 good teams and the bottom 3 bad teams.
The Brewers have had a lot of key components, they just seem to be able to overpay someone every year. Jeff Suppan last year, now Eric Gagne. Sheets in a contract year should be thrilling, and Capuano will be trying to rebound from a poor injury-riddled season where his opponents' average against jumped up from .260 to .280. Not to mention Braun, Fielder and Weeks are offensive forces that aren't making outs all over.
The Cubs won the division last year, and yes, Zambrano's ERA was half a point higher than his career mark. Who knows. Lou Pinella isn't terribly stupid, but I don't see two years in a row. Even if Ted Lilly is that good.
The Cardinals have room to improve, like having Carpenter pitch, but the problem is that won't be until July. Mulder might be alive, but we won't hear from him until May, and what will he pitch like? Mulder has not been effective since 2005 (sort of like Jeff Weaver). Glaus for Rolen is a lateral move, except Glaus might have more power left. Both will spend half the year on the DL. Izturis will make more outs, defensively and offensively, than Eckstein.
The Reds have Dusty Baker managing. Homer Bailey, the hope for their future, should pray that Baker gets arrested and tabbed as Barry Bonds' real supplier, preventing him from forcing Bailey to throw 140 pitches 3 games in a row. Baker will also despise Adam Dunn from clogging the bases with his three true outcome awesomeness.
The Pirates should get improvement from Jason Bay - not sure what happened there. Adam Laroche should probably knock a couple more out too. I still don't hold but so many high hopes for Pittsburgh, but we shall see.
The Astros are the stupidest organization in baseball. Tejada is an ok acquisition, except that he's getting old and isn't as good, and probably used steroids. Why they couldn't wait another day for the Mitchell Report is beyond me. But more importantly, their pitching is no longer a strength beyond Roy Oswalt.
WEST
Arizona
Colorado
Los Angeles
San Diego
San Francisco
Brandon Webb is good. Micah Owings is good. Randy Johnson might be healthy. But the Diamondbacks on top of that said, hell, let's get Dan Haren. The team is very dependent on its young core, with the reigning old dudes being crazy-haired Eric Byrnes, crazy bald man Kirk Gibson, and grumpy old coot Randy Johnson. That might put the D-Backs over the top.
Sure the Rockies got really hot at the end of last year, but they're good. Cook doesn't strike people out, but he's a groundball machine. Morales and Jiminez are up-and-coming. But let's not forget the superstars on the team: Matt Holliday, Troy Tulowitzki, and Todd Helton. Helton is like what Kevin Youkilis would be if he were 35 and not fat. They have the same beehive goatee thing too.
The Dodgers have upside that's dictated not just by their young players, but by Joe Torre. Hopefully, Torre won't do anything stupid like play Pierre over Ethier or play Nomar over Laroche. Additionally, they have all kinds of question marks like Kuroda, Jones, Furcal (who was still awesome defensively last year), Schmidt, Kuo, Brazoban, and Jeff Kent. They could potentially be a first place team, but nothing is certain.
The Padres plan to kill Jim Edmonds by making him run around their giant centerfield. Mark Prior has not pitched effectively since 2005, but he's worth a shot for $1,000,000. Randy Wolf has a nice curve and good K rate, and PETCO will keep the ball in the park, but he's still an injury risk too. I'm still optimistic that Hoffman will implode spectacularly around July or so.
The Giants have no position players. They overpaid for Aaron Rowand, who will still be better than anyone else on their team at hitting a baseball. Losing Bonds will make certain that the Giants don't get out of the cellar.
National League - AL review to come later.
EAST
Mets
Phillies
Braves
Marlins
Nationals
The Mets have a bit of a weakness at 2nd base, but other than the September collapse of Jose Reyes, they should own the division. Pedro looked like himself in September, at least by the numbers, and adding Santana should make that the best rotation at least in the division, if not the league. John Maine, Oliver Perez, and either El Duque or Mike Pelfrey will fill out the rotation, probably quite successfully.
Philadelphia still lacks a lot of pitching depth behind Hammels, and in the absence of Aaron Rowand's career year, their offense will have to put in a little more effort to keep being awesome.
Atlanta is missing Andruw Jones and Kotsay is an injury risk, as is Chipper Jones, which is a shame. A full year of Chipper would be huge for Atlanta. The Braves do have the potential to outdo the Phillies if their offense keeps up, particularly with Renteria now in Detroit. Healthy years from Gonzalez and Soriano will also vastly help Atlanta, although Joey Devine would have been huge for Atlanta. Smoltz and Glavine are both older than dirt, though, so you never know there, and I don't think Mike Hampton will ever be healthy again. He probably forgot what baseballs look like.
The Marlins had an ugly year last year, but they should be getting Olson back from injury. They are down Cabrera, but they got Maybin, who will fill the centerfield hole - yeah, the Marlins look like they miss Juan Pierre. Their power-hitting middle infield, though, is still quite young.
The Nats made some nice acquisitions with Dukes and Milledge, but that doesn't change that they might actually start Christian Guzman at short still. On top of that, their pitching staff has some upside but is far too injury prone to inspire a lot of confidence.
Central
Brewers
Cubs
Cardinals
Reds
Pirates
Astros
At the very least, I'd say there's a split between the top 3 good teams and the bottom 3 bad teams.
The Brewers have had a lot of key components, they just seem to be able to overpay someone every year. Jeff Suppan last year, now Eric Gagne. Sheets in a contract year should be thrilling, and Capuano will be trying to rebound from a poor injury-riddled season where his opponents' average against jumped up from .260 to .280. Not to mention Braun, Fielder and Weeks are offensive forces that aren't making outs all over.
The Cubs won the division last year, and yes, Zambrano's ERA was half a point higher than his career mark. Who knows. Lou Pinella isn't terribly stupid, but I don't see two years in a row. Even if Ted Lilly is that good.
The Cardinals have room to improve, like having Carpenter pitch, but the problem is that won't be until July. Mulder might be alive, but we won't hear from him until May, and what will he pitch like? Mulder has not been effective since 2005 (sort of like Jeff Weaver). Glaus for Rolen is a lateral move, except Glaus might have more power left. Both will spend half the year on the DL. Izturis will make more outs, defensively and offensively, than Eckstein.
The Reds have Dusty Baker managing. Homer Bailey, the hope for their future, should pray that Baker gets arrested and tabbed as Barry Bonds' real supplier, preventing him from forcing Bailey to throw 140 pitches 3 games in a row. Baker will also despise Adam Dunn from clogging the bases with his three true outcome awesomeness.
The Pirates should get improvement from Jason Bay - not sure what happened there. Adam Laroche should probably knock a couple more out too. I still don't hold but so many high hopes for Pittsburgh, but we shall see.
The Astros are the stupidest organization in baseball. Tejada is an ok acquisition, except that he's getting old and isn't as good, and probably used steroids. Why they couldn't wait another day for the Mitchell Report is beyond me. But more importantly, their pitching is no longer a strength beyond Roy Oswalt.
WEST
Arizona
Colorado
Los Angeles
San Diego
San Francisco
Brandon Webb is good. Micah Owings is good. Randy Johnson might be healthy. But the Diamondbacks on top of that said, hell, let's get Dan Haren. The team is very dependent on its young core, with the reigning old dudes being crazy-haired Eric Byrnes, crazy bald man Kirk Gibson, and grumpy old coot Randy Johnson. That might put the D-Backs over the top.
Sure the Rockies got really hot at the end of last year, but they're good. Cook doesn't strike people out, but he's a groundball machine. Morales and Jiminez are up-and-coming. But let's not forget the superstars on the team: Matt Holliday, Troy Tulowitzki, and Todd Helton. Helton is like what Kevin Youkilis would be if he were 35 and not fat. They have the same beehive goatee thing too.
The Dodgers have upside that's dictated not just by their young players, but by Joe Torre. Hopefully, Torre won't do anything stupid like play Pierre over Ethier or play Nomar over Laroche. Additionally, they have all kinds of question marks like Kuroda, Jones, Furcal (who was still awesome defensively last year), Schmidt, Kuo, Brazoban, and Jeff Kent. They could potentially be a first place team, but nothing is certain.
The Padres plan to kill Jim Edmonds by making him run around their giant centerfield. Mark Prior has not pitched effectively since 2005, but he's worth a shot for $1,000,000. Randy Wolf has a nice curve and good K rate, and PETCO will keep the ball in the park, but he's still an injury risk too. I'm still optimistic that Hoffman will implode spectacularly around July or so.
The Giants have no position players. They overpaid for Aaron Rowand, who will still be better than anyone else on their team at hitting a baseball. Losing Bonds will make certain that the Giants don't get out of the cellar.
Friday, January 4, 2008
Crazy Trade Market
Just to show that you never know what will happen, Billy Beane sent Nick Swisher to the White Sox for 3 top prospects. Looking at this, the White Sox have a reasonable chance to improve in 2008. Consider the following:
Whitesox.com has Swisher as the starting Center Fielder on the White Sox depth chart. Carlos Quentin has some upside in left field, and Swisher will hit something along the lines of .270/.375/.470 or something like that. The southsiders will not start Uribe or Podsednik next year, and their lineup will look like this (presumably):
Cabrera
Swisher
Konerko
Thome
Dye
Pierzynski
Quentin
Crede
Richar
This should be an improvement, although it remains to be seen what will happen in that division. The Tigers acquired Miguel Cabrera and Dontrelle Willis. The Royals blew $36 million on Jose Guillen. The Twins lost Torii Hunter to free agency and may trade Johan Santana (but they'd screw with everyone if they kept him and left him and Liriano atop the rotation). In Cleveland, the question of what happens to Paul Byrd is accompanied by will Pronk recover from merely being good back to being supremely super awesome? A better year from him could help ward off Detroit, especially with the 1-2 of Sabathia and Carmona.
Nonetheless, if Swisher can go, it would seem that anyone can go.
Whitesox.com has Swisher as the starting Center Fielder on the White Sox depth chart. Carlos Quentin has some upside in left field, and Swisher will hit something along the lines of .270/.375/.470 or something like that. The southsiders will not start Uribe or Podsednik next year, and their lineup will look like this (presumably):
Cabrera
Swisher
Konerko
Thome
Dye
Pierzynski
Quentin
Crede
Richar
This should be an improvement, although it remains to be seen what will happen in that division. The Tigers acquired Miguel Cabrera and Dontrelle Willis. The Royals blew $36 million on Jose Guillen. The Twins lost Torii Hunter to free agency and may trade Johan Santana (but they'd screw with everyone if they kept him and left him and Liriano atop the rotation). In Cleveland, the question of what happens to Paul Byrd is accompanied by will Pronk recover from merely being good back to being supremely super awesome? A better year from him could help ward off Detroit, especially with the 1-2 of Sabathia and Carmona.
Nonetheless, if Swisher can go, it would seem that anyone can go.
Tuesday, June 5, 2007
As of today, suggested all-star ballots
Now what makes an all-star? It seems that each year, it should reward those who are doing well, although it's really a popularity contest. Nonetheless, let's see what this would look like if it were for those who did well. The fans get to vote, and that impacts which position players start.
All-OBP TEAMS
To the highest OBP at each position:
NL
2 - Russell Martin (.386)
3 - Todd Helton (.460)
4 - Kelly Johnson (.392)
5 - Chipper Jones (.392) - it should be noted that Mark Ellis and Chad Tracy are higher here, but neither have played as much, although it's borderline whether Chipper qualifies
6 - Jose Reyes (.398)
7 - Barry Bonds (.485)
8 - Carlos Beltran (.390)
9 - Brad Hawpe (.411)
AL
2 - Jorge Posada (.412)
3 - Jim Thome (.470) - although he's not on the ballot due to Konerko. Also deserving the ballot but not on is Kevin Youkilis
4 - Brian Roberts (.421)
5 - Mike Lowell (.391) - would be Iwamura but for injury
6 - Derek Jeter (.399)
7 - Nick Swisher (.425)
8 - Reggie Willits (.419)
9 - Vladimir Guerrero (.460)
The ALL-SB team
no regard to CS
NL
2 - Martin (8)
3 - Jeff Conine and Lance Berkman (3)
4 - Kaz Matsui and Brandon Phillips (9)
5 - David Wright (11)
6 - Jose Reyes (30)
7 - Alfonso Soriano (8)
8 - Juan Pierre (18)
9 - Shane Victorino (16)
AL
2 - Mike Napoli (4)
3 - Gary Sheffield (7)
4 - Brian Roberts (19)
5 - Nick Punto (11)
6 - Julio Lugo (17)
7 - Carl Crawford (12)
8 - Grady Sizemore (17)
9 - Bobby Abreu (8)
The All-HR team
NL
2 - Russell Martin and Michael Barrett (7)
3 - Prince Fielder (20)
4 - Dan Uggla (12)
5 - Aramis Ramirez (13)
6 - JJ Hardy (16)
7 - Adam Dunn (14)
8 - Eric Byrnes (9)
9 - Ken Griffey Jr (12)
AL
2 - Victor Martinez (12)
3 - Justin Morneau (14)
4 - Ian Kinsler (10)
5 - Alex Rodriguez (20)
6 - Jhonny Peralta (11)
7 - Craig Monroe (9)
8 - Torii Hunter (12)
9 - Magglio Ordonez (13)
The All-AVG team
NL
2 - Bengie Molina (.320)
3 - Derrek Lee (.357)
4 - Chase Utley (.304)
5 - Miguel Cabrera (.319)
6 - Edgar Renteria (.335)
7 - Matt Holiday (.345)
8 - Willy Tavares (.327)
9 - Tony Gwynn Jr (.320)
AL
2 - Jorge Posada (.360)
3 - Kevin Youkilis (.346)
4 - Luis Castillo (.337)
5 - Mike Lowell (.332)
6 - Orlando Cabrera (.329)
7 - Carl Crawford (.295)
8 - Ichiro Suzuki (.333)
9 - Magglio Ordonez (.362)
All-OBP TEAMS
To the highest OBP at each position:
NL
2 - Russell Martin (.386)
3 - Todd Helton (.460)
4 - Kelly Johnson (.392)
5 - Chipper Jones (.392) - it should be noted that Mark Ellis and Chad Tracy are higher here, but neither have played as much, although it's borderline whether Chipper qualifies
6 - Jose Reyes (.398)
7 - Barry Bonds (.485)
8 - Carlos Beltran (.390)
9 - Brad Hawpe (.411)
AL
2 - Jorge Posada (.412)
3 - Jim Thome (.470) - although he's not on the ballot due to Konerko. Also deserving the ballot but not on is Kevin Youkilis
4 - Brian Roberts (.421)
5 - Mike Lowell (.391) - would be Iwamura but for injury
6 - Derek Jeter (.399)
7 - Nick Swisher (.425)
8 - Reggie Willits (.419)
9 - Vladimir Guerrero (.460)
The ALL-SB team
no regard to CS
NL
2 - Martin (8)
3 - Jeff Conine and Lance Berkman (3)
4 - Kaz Matsui and Brandon Phillips (9)
5 - David Wright (11)
6 - Jose Reyes (30)
7 - Alfonso Soriano (8)
8 - Juan Pierre (18)
9 - Shane Victorino (16)
AL
2 - Mike Napoli (4)
3 - Gary Sheffield (7)
4 - Brian Roberts (19)
5 - Nick Punto (11)
6 - Julio Lugo (17)
7 - Carl Crawford (12)
8 - Grady Sizemore (17)
9 - Bobby Abreu (8)
The All-HR team
NL
2 - Russell Martin and Michael Barrett (7)
3 - Prince Fielder (20)
4 - Dan Uggla (12)
5 - Aramis Ramirez (13)
6 - JJ Hardy (16)
7 - Adam Dunn (14)
8 - Eric Byrnes (9)
9 - Ken Griffey Jr (12)
AL
2 - Victor Martinez (12)
3 - Justin Morneau (14)
4 - Ian Kinsler (10)
5 - Alex Rodriguez (20)
6 - Jhonny Peralta (11)
7 - Craig Monroe (9)
8 - Torii Hunter (12)
9 - Magglio Ordonez (13)
The All-AVG team
NL
2 - Bengie Molina (.320)
3 - Derrek Lee (.357)
4 - Chase Utley (.304)
5 - Miguel Cabrera (.319)
6 - Edgar Renteria (.335)
7 - Matt Holiday (.345)
8 - Willy Tavares (.327)
9 - Tony Gwynn Jr (.320)
AL
2 - Jorge Posada (.360)
3 - Kevin Youkilis (.346)
4 - Luis Castillo (.337)
5 - Mike Lowell (.332)
6 - Orlando Cabrera (.329)
7 - Carl Crawford (.295)
8 - Ichiro Suzuki (.333)
9 - Magglio Ordonez (.362)
Thursday, May 31, 2007
Overrated-Underrated Dumbnitude
I have long thought that the word stupidity sounds, well, too smart, so that's why I came up with dumbnitude, which just sounds harsher.
Jayson Stark decided that he was going to start the conversation with his list of who's overrated and who's underrated. It's one thing to discuss the contents of these lists, but it's the methodology that really drives me nuts. Nonetheless, I'll at least post his top 10 overrated and underrated players, with my commentary on whether or not they belong on the list, and if they should be higher up or lower down. In a future post, I'll describe what I think a bit further.
OVERRATED
1) Barry Zito (maybe, but the most overrated?)
2) JD Drew (don't think so)
3) Andruw Jones (no, because I read this)
4) Juan Pierre (why doesn't he top the list?)
5) Bobby Abreu (no, wrong list, though he has had some odd struggles the last couple years)
6) Brian Giles (wrong list entirely)
7) Alfonso Soriano (he used to be the type to top the list, but now, I'm not sure he belongs on it)
8) Richie Sexson (no, don't think so)
9) Bob Wickman (yeah, he's a fat dude that gets saves. yippie)
10) Jeff Suppan (yeah, he just finds run support and defense)
UNDERRATED
1) Roy Oswalt (no, everyone knows he's good and that Houston's offense just sucks)
2) Trevor Hoffman (hell no, people overrate him now because of his past; I don't know how he still gets people out)
3) Hanley Ramirez (he won Rookie of the Year last year, try again)
4) Jake Peavy (yes, should be near the top if not at the top)
5) CC Sabathia (yes likely)
6) Carl Crawford (no, people know he's the best player on Tampa Bay)
7) Placido Polanco (wrong list actually)
8) Kevin Youkilis (yay, you got something right)
9) Joe Nathan (probably, probably in the right spot too)
10) Travis Hafner (definitely, in fact he tops the list. Why the hell hasn't he been an allstar yet?!)
So here's what I'll actually discuss:
1) Analyze what Stark says about Overrated Players
2) Analyze what Stark says about Underrated Players
3) Attempt to derive what analytical methods Stark uses
4) Create my own analytical methods
5) Create my own top 10 Overrated List
6) Create my own top 10 Underrated List
Jayson Stark decided that he was going to start the conversation with his list of who's overrated and who's underrated. It's one thing to discuss the contents of these lists, but it's the methodology that really drives me nuts. Nonetheless, I'll at least post his top 10 overrated and underrated players, with my commentary on whether or not they belong on the list, and if they should be higher up or lower down. In a future post, I'll describe what I think a bit further.
OVERRATED
1) Barry Zito (maybe, but the most overrated?)
2) JD Drew (don't think so)
3) Andruw Jones (no, because I read this)
4) Juan Pierre (why doesn't he top the list?)
5) Bobby Abreu (no, wrong list, though he has had some odd struggles the last couple years)
6) Brian Giles (wrong list entirely)
7) Alfonso Soriano (he used to be the type to top the list, but now, I'm not sure he belongs on it)
8) Richie Sexson (no, don't think so)
9) Bob Wickman (yeah, he's a fat dude that gets saves. yippie)
10) Jeff Suppan (yeah, he just finds run support and defense)
UNDERRATED
1) Roy Oswalt (no, everyone knows he's good and that Houston's offense just sucks)
2) Trevor Hoffman (hell no, people overrate him now because of his past; I don't know how he still gets people out)
3) Hanley Ramirez (he won Rookie of the Year last year, try again)
4) Jake Peavy (yes, should be near the top if not at the top)
5) CC Sabathia (yes likely)
6) Carl Crawford (no, people know he's the best player on Tampa Bay)
7) Placido Polanco (wrong list actually)
8) Kevin Youkilis (yay, you got something right)
9) Joe Nathan (probably, probably in the right spot too)
10) Travis Hafner (definitely, in fact he tops the list. Why the hell hasn't he been an allstar yet?!)
So here's what I'll actually discuss:
1) Analyze what Stark says about Overrated Players
2) Analyze what Stark says about Underrated Players
3) Attempt to derive what analytical methods Stark uses
4) Create my own analytical methods
5) Create my own top 10 Overrated List
6) Create my own top 10 Underrated List
Sunday, April 29, 2007
What's with Gil Meche?
Gil Meche was signed for 5 years, $55 million by Dayton Moore last year, and everyone thought that was stupid. They're not wrong yet, but Meche has shown noticeable improvement.
Out of his first 6 starts, 5 have been "quality starts" (at least 6 IP, 3 ER or less). More to the point, he's 2-1 with a 2.18 ERA, although it should be noted that he's surrendered 6 unearned runs (compared to only 10 earned runs). So that looks really really good.
So what is different about Gil Meche?
Out of his first 6 starts, 5 have been "quality starts" (at least 6 IP, 3 ER or less). More to the point, he's 2-1 with a 2.18 ERA, although it should be noted that he's surrendered 6 unearned runs (compared to only 10 earned runs). So that looks really really good.
So what is different about Gil Meche?
- He may prove to be more durable as a starter, because thus far he has 15.19 pitches per inning, down from 17.32 career, so it's not unthinkable to consider that he could continue to go deep into games. At that, he has not thrown more than 111 pitches.
- Meche's K/9 rate is no different from his career rate, but his BB/9 is currently 1.96, compared to 3.91 career. That's half of the walks he usually allows.
- Meche has a career GO/AO (ground out/air out ratio) of .96; this year it's 2.1. This is an extroardinary change to being a groundball pitcher, and if he can sustain that, he'll reduce the number of balls hit hard against him, and thus his opponent's slugging average. As it stands, opponents are batting a staggering .283/.324/.390, compared to .261/.339/.427. Even with a ridiculous .283 opponent's average (which should drop off quite a bit) which is well above average, he's letting fewer people on base, and they are not hitting the ball nearly as hard. This would certainly correspond to his drop in home run rate, as that's now down to 1 every 10.25 innings from about 1 every 8.
- His H/9 is actually up this year, so it is not unthinkable to think that he could improve a bit.
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