Interesting... I expect a bounce-back season for BA....This is where Arroyo's numbers require a closer examination. In '06, his 14 wins were earned via 23 quality starts, defined as a performance lasting six or more innings, during which a starter allows three earned runs or fewer.
Last season, Arroyo finished with 22 quality starts. One less quality start than the previous year, but five fewer victories, and four additional losses.
This was one of the underreported issues of 2007. I'd love go to Dusty and show him what happened to Arroyo last summer.
It was good to see that Arroyo had a good approach. He knows he pitched about the same in 2006 and 2007 and that his ERA and W-L record really skewed the reality of how he pitched.
Games are won on run differential -- scoring more than your opponent. Runs are runs, scored or prevented they all count the same. Worry about scoring more and allowing fewer, not which positions contribute to which side of the equation or how "consistent" you are at your current level of performance.
Arroyo was off to a great start last year when he was left in for 129 pitches in May 16 versus San Diego. Look at that three game stretch in early May:
http://www.thebaseballcube.com/box/2...rob001_p.shtml
I love to see him attack a batter with those curves and sliders setting up his fastball. It is a cool display of smarts punctuated with fearlessness. However, he shouldn't be throwing 129 pitches in any game. He doesn't have Aaron Harang's build nor his smooth mechanics.
"I am your child from the future. I'm sorry I didn't tell you this earlier." - Dylan Easton
Definitely. I believe he went something like 129, 120 and 117 in his pitch count in consecutive starts, all on normal rest, and then got absolutely pounded his next 3-4 starts. They've got to be smarter with him -- and get Harang proper rest, too. If this team wants to go to the playoffs, they better have the pitchers healthy and strong in September.In 2007 Arroyo was abused 2-3 times with very high pitch counts then pitched poorly his next few starts. If used properly his numbers will be better in 2008 than in 2007.
Pitch counts? Alphabet Stats?
Bahh Humbug!!!!
And they baled hay and dug ditches in the off-season. They were country hosses, not skinny little rock stars. And when their careers ended early, nobody noticed ...
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