September 18, 2007
Kelvim Concerns
The LAnaheim Angels won last night, although Kelvim Escobar continues to struggle.
Aug. 21, 2007; Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim pitcher Kelvim Escobar during a game against the New York Yankees at Angels Stadium of Anaheim. This was the first game of a bad stretch for the pitcher.
John Cordes/Icon SMI
Over his last six starts Kelvim allowed a 7.39 ERA. Last night he last just four innings, allowing six runs. The good news is that his strikeout rate remains high. The bad news is that both his walk and home run rates are up. Opponents hit eleven home runs off Kelvim all year, but four over this slump.
There's no explanation coming from the Angels:
In four starts this month, Escobar has an 11.49 earned-run average. He has failed to complete six innings in all of those starts, after pitching at least six innings in 17 of his previous 18 starts. His rhythm is out of whack, Scioscia said, but fatigue and injury are not issues.
"It's something every pitcher is going to go through," Scioscia said. "It's not an opportune time for it to happen for Kelvim."
With the demise of Dan Haren, Escobar was poised to capture the ERA title and the Cy Young award, but this poor stretch takes him out of the running. The Angels need to hope that Scioscia is right, and that a mechanical adjustment is all Escobar needs.
Posted by David Pinto at
08:15 AM
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It's looking like a two-horse race for CYA between Sabathia and Beckett. I put Sabathia in the lead, but if Beckett finishes strong, lowers the ERA below 3.20 and is the only guy with 20 wins he might sneak in.
Carmona is the dark horse...