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Old 12-28-2011, 04:00 PM   #48
Hoosier Red
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Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Indianapolis, IN
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Re: Closer: Down to Cordero or Madson?

Quote:
Originally Posted by RedsManRick View Post
It was 1.02. But a lot of that was a .214 BABIP. Give him a .280 BABIP instead (he's at .290 for his career) and it would have been 1.25. That's still not bad, but not nearly as impressive. 1.30 is a reasonable projection for next year, with the BABIP regression and some BB/9 regression as well.
Seemed like he was pitching ahead in the count quite a bit more last year. Again, this may be something that is more severe when you only face a pitcher once per night.

If a starter doesn't have his best stuff, you sometimes get the sense early on when a couple of balls are stung even if they go for outs. So with a starter, even if he's around the plate and getting ahead in the count, eventually an opponent can break through and string a few hits together.

If you get that "feeling" against Cordero, it's too late. And there's as good of a chance as not that the next time he's called upon, he'll have his stuff back.

Of course all these reasons I'm stating why Cordero can continue his success next year could just as easily be applied to whomever is considered the closer next year. Basically you're put in a position where it's difficult for the other team to succeed, so as long as you do the basic things necessary to enhance your success, you'll probably have a great deal of success.
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