You couldn't help but notice that CC Sabathia threw another complete game for the Brewers on Monday night. You couldn't help but notice that Sabathia is 8-0 with a 1.60 ERA in nine starts since the Brewers acquired him from the Indians.
You also couldn't help but notice that Sabathia threw 130 pitches -- in a 9-3 win over the Astros.
According to the great play index at baseball-reference.com, the 130 pitches is a career high for Sabathia. Not only that, but Sabathia has now topped 120 pitches three times for Milwaukee. In his last 3 1/2 seasons with the Indians, Sabathia topped 120 pitches just three times -- twice in 2006 and once earlier this season.
Sabathia told reporters that the high pitch count Monday wasn't a big deal, because he has an extra day of rest before his next start, and two extra days after that.
It's not a big deal. Not unless it contributes to Sabathia getting hurt.
Posted on: August 19, 2008 11:48 am
Category: MLB
Posted on: August 18, 2008 12:46 pm
It's the bullpens -- in the AL Central, anyway
The Indians and the Tigers are two of the biggest disappointments in baseball this year. No question there.
Here's the interesting part: You can blame both teams' demise almost completely on their bullpens.
Don't believe me? Here's the evidence:
AL Central Standings, based on only the first six innings of games
W L T GB
1. Twins 60 50 13 --
2. Indians 60 50 14 --
3. White Sox 58 49 16 1 1/2
4. Tigers 58 53 13 2 1/2
5. Royals 51 62 11 10 1/2
In other words, if you take out the innings usually pitched by the bullpens, the AL Central would be an amazing four-team race, and the Indians would be tied for first place. Not only that, but in this six-inning world, the Tribe never trades away CC Sabathia at the beginning of July.
What does it all mean? Two things, as far as I can tell. One, White Sox GM Kenny Williams was smart to spend his money last winter on Octavio Dotel and Scott Linebrink. Two, the Twins were smart to sign Joe Nathan long-term, rather than trade him away.
Oh, and by the way, the six-inning rule doesn't help the Yankees. They'd be 55-56-13 if games ended after 6.
It does, however, help the Mets -- big time. They're 68-40-16 after six, compared to 51-52-18 for the Phillies and 52-58-15 for the Marlins. In the six-inning world, they'd have a huge lead in the NL East, as opposed to the two-game lead they hold in the real world.
Here's the interesting part: You can blame both teams' demise almost completely on their bullpens.
Don't believe me? Here's the evidence:
AL Central Standings, based on only the first six innings of games
W L T GB
1. Twins 60 50 13 --
2. Indians 60 50 14 --
3. White Sox 58 49 16 1 1/2
4. Tigers 58 53 13 2 1/2
5. Royals 51 62 11 10 1/2
In other words, if you take out the innings usually pitched by the bullpens, the AL Central would be an amazing four-team race, and the Indians would be tied for first place. Not only that, but in this six-inning world, the Tribe never trades away CC Sabathia at the beginning of July.
What does it all mean? Two things, as far as I can tell. One, White Sox GM Kenny Williams was smart to spend his money last winter on Octavio Dotel and Scott Linebrink. Two, the Twins were smart to sign Joe Nathan long-term, rather than trade him away.
Oh, and by the way, the six-inning rule doesn't help the Yankees. They'd be 55-56-13 if games ended after 6.
It does, however, help the Mets -- big time. They're 68-40-16 after six, compared to 51-52-18 for the Phillies and 52-58-15 for the Marlins. In the six-inning world, they'd have a huge lead in the NL East, as opposed to the two-game lead they hold in the real world.
Category: MLB
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