Tag Archives: Rich Hill

May 23, 2023

Games of the Day

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The first place Rangers continue their series against the first place Pirates with Nathan Eovaldi facing Rich Hill. Eovaldi is back on his game with a 2.83 ERA, helped by allowing just three home runs in 60 1/3 innings. Hill keeps keeping on. His ERA is just 3.80 despite allowing eight home runs in 47 1/3 innings, five of them with men on base. That’s a bit tempered by opponents hitting just .212 against him with runners in scoring position.

The Orioles visit the Yankees, New York trailing Baltimore by three games for second place in the AL East. Kyle Bradish takes on Gerrit Cole. Bradish does not go deep in games, pitching just 32 1/3 innings in seven starts. His main strength is limiting walks. Cole mostly goes into the seventh inning, limiting walks and home runs. His record at 5-0 in ten starts probably should be better given his 2.01 ERA.

The Padres visit the Nationals, and a win by Washington would give the two teams the same record. Given the disparity in payroll, that has to make one wonder what’s going on in SD. Yu Darvish battles MacKenzie Gore. Darvish pitched inconsistently this season with six starts allowing one or two runs, and three starts allowing at least four runs. Gore, part of the Juan Soto trade, strikes out and walks lots of batters, but is saved by a .194 BA allowed with runners in scoring position.

Finally, Alex Cobb of the Giants takes the hill against Sonny Gray of the Twins. Both sport sub 2.00 ERAs. Both pitchers do a great job of limiting home runs. Gray still has not allowed a home run, now in 49 1/3 innings. Cobb allowed just three dingers in 51 innings.

Enjoy!

September 17, 2022

Games of the Day

Louie Varland of the Twins gets his second tough team in his second MLB outing as he pitches against the Guardians and Shane Bieber in game one of their doubleheader. Varland held the Yankees to one run in 5 1/3 innings of work in his debut, walking one and striking out seven. The home town hero owned a high K and low walk rate in the minors as well. Bieber stands 6-1 against the Twins in his career with a 3.39 ERA and 10.9 K per 9 IP.

The Yankees try to even their series with the Brewers as Jameson Taillon takes on Brandon Woodruff. One thing that hurt Taillon this season is that despite a .283 OBP allowed, twelve of his twenty three home runs allowed came with men on base. Woodruff pitched well against AL teams this season with a 2.45 ERA in 18 1/3 innings. He walked two and struck out 24.

The Padres continue their fight for a wild card berth with Joe Musgrove taking on the Diamondbacks and Zac Gallen. At first glance, Musgrove appears to me to pitch better than his 3.28 ERA, but FanGraphs has both FIPs higher than his ERA. Gallen should get some Cy Young consideration for his consecutive scoreless inning streak, but he many hot have the wins nor the innings to make a great case for the honor.

Honorable mention goes to the Royals at Red Sox, featuring Rich Hill and Brady Singer. It’s not a great game, but it should use this as it’s theme song:

Enjoy!

May 19, 2022

Games of the Day

The Cardinals conclude their series with the Mets with Dakota Hudson facing Chris Bassitt. Hudson has been successful so far this season with a high walk, low strikeout approach, with 17 BB and 20 K in 35 1/3 innings. He only allowed 30 hits, however. Bassitt proved to be an excellent acquisition for the Mets, now 4-2 with a 2.34 ERA. He did allow three of his four home runs at Citi Field, where his record stands at 1-2 with a 3.65 ERA.

The Mariners visit the Red Sox with rookie George Kirby taking on ultra veteran Rich Hill. Kirby, in his first ten MLB innings walked one, struck out eight, and allowed three runs, two of them unearned. Hill, at seasonal age 42, owns a 2.89 ERA in 28 innings.

Enjoy!

April 18, 2022

Games of the Day

The Twins and Red Sox finish their series on Patriots Day, the celebration of the start of the American Revolution. The game goes on while the Boston Marathon runs in the background. Dylan Bundy takes the hill for the Twins, coming off five innings in his first start in which he allowed just one hit. Rich Hill issued a walk and struck out four in 4 1/3 innings in his first start for Boston, but allowed five hits and three runs.

The hot Giants visit the hot Mets at what is likely to be a cold and wet Citi Field. Alex Cobb faces Tylor Megill. Cobb pitched well since taking up residence on the west coast, first for the Angels, now for the Giants. He stands 9-3 with a 3.75 ERA since the start of 2021, his strength preventing home runs. Megill replaced Jacob deGrom well, not allowing a run nor a walk in 10 1/3 inning while striking out 10.

The Angels visit the Astros with Michael Lorenzen battling Luis Garcia. Lorenzen changed teams and roles, going from a reliever with the Reds to a starter for LAnaheim. His first outing saw him allow two hits in six innings with seven strikeouts. Garcia, now in his seasonal age 25 season, owns a 3.36 ERA in 171 2/3 innings. He allowed just 142 hits.

Enjoy!

September 13, 2021

Games of the Day

The Rays send Ryan Yarbrough against the Blue Jays and Alek Manoah. Yarbrough stands 8-4 on the season despite a 4.90 ERA. He is a low K, low BB pitcher, which leads to a ton of hits. A high number of those left the yard. Manoah is 3-0 in seven home starts in his rookie season, owning a 2.97 ERA.

It’s a battle of 40-year-olds in New York as the Cardinals send Adam Wainwright against the Mets and Rich Hill. If this proves to be Wainwright’s last season, he is going out with a bang. He should reach 200 innings for the first time since 2014, and he’s getting there with a 2.98 ERA. He’s not just eating innings, he’s spitting out opponents. Hill owns a 3.82 ERA between the Red Sox and the Mets. He’s allowed just 117 hits in 139 innings.

The Red Sox make their way to Seattle to face the Mariners in an AL Wild Card battle. Eduardo Rodriguez takes on Logan Gilbert. Both own ERAs over 5.00. Rodriguez’s high strikeout rate does not mean he’s tough to hit, as he allowed 150 safeties in 136 1/3 innings. Gilbert’s high ERA comes from 14 home runs in 95 1/3 innings and a .271 BA allowed with runners in scoring position.

Enjoy!

July 23, 2021

Rays Trade Again

The Rays send Rich Hill to the Mets:

Mets and Rays make the Rich Hill deal official: pic.twitter.com/psH0Mcg92H
— Chelsea Janes (@chelsea_janes) July 23, 2021

Hill pitched well for the Rays, trading walks for fewer hits and striking out a decent number of batters. Those number should work better when he doesn’t need to face the DH. Hunter is an old reliever who hasn’t pitched much in he majors since 2018. Dyer is just 22, but has old man skills as most of his offense comes from walks and extra-base hits.

July 11, 2021

Games of the Day

The Braves send Ian Anderson against the Marlins and Pablo Lopez as Atlanta begins trying to win without Ronald Acuna Jr. Anderson makes the twenty fourth start of his young career, and so far he does a good job of limiting long balls, just nine home runs allowed in 93 2/3 innings. Lopez improved his ERA for the second year in a row, down from 5.09 in 2019 to 3.61 in 2020 to 2.94 this year. After giving up 23 home runs in his first two seasons, 170 innings, he allowed 13 home runs in his last 152 1/3 innings.

Robbie Ray takes on Rich Hill as the Blue Jays finish their series with the Rays. Tampa Bay goes for their seventh win in a row. Ray ranks second in the AL in home runs allowed with 20. His ERA is good, however, as those home runs accounted for 26 of the 36 RBI against him. Hill is undefeated in day games this season, 4-0 with a 2.73 ERA in six starts.

The Athletics and Rangers play in Texas as Chris Bassitt faces Kolby Allard. Bassitt tries to reach ten wins for the second time in his career. Since 2019 he is 24-9 in 57 appearances with a 3.37 ERA. Allard walked just 13 batters in 57 1/3 innings, helping him to a 3.45 ERA.

Finally, the Angels and Mariners square off in the northwest as Jose Suarez battles Hector Santiago. Suarez makes his first road start of the season, and he is 3-1 with a 1.80 ERA in his road relief appearances. Santiago tries to stop Shohei Ohtani from gaining on Roger Maris‘s record. Ohtani is 0 for 2 with a K against Santiago.

Enjoy!

May 31, 2021

Games of the Day

The Yankees find themselves 4 1/2 games behind the surging Rays as Tampa Bay opens a series in New York. Rich Hill takes on Jameson Taillon. Hill allowed just 36 hits in 52 innings, compensating for a high number of those hits going for extra bases. Taillon keeps batters off base, allowing a .302 OBP, but with a slugging average against of .528 with men on base, the few baserunners come around to score often.

On the west coast, the Cardinals send Cy Young candidate John Flaherty against the Dodgers and Trevor Bauer. Flaherty’s one loss this season came on the road, where is ERA is 3.94, compared to 1.44 at home. Bauer allowed a 0.90 ERA in 20 innings at Dodger Stadium this year.

Enjoy!

January 1, 2020

Twins Hedging

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The Twins signed two pitchers on New Years Eve, bringing in Homer Bailey and Rich Hill for about $10 million.

Sources told ESPN’s Jeff Passan that Bailey’s deal is for $7 million, while Hill starts with a $3 million deal that could reach $12.5 million with incentives.
ESPN.com

So if the Twins get two WAR out of either pitcher, the deals will be well worth it. If they can get two WAR out of both, it will be a great investment. By spreading the risk over the starters, the Minnesota hedges their bets, and just need one to be good to make the deal as a whole worthwhile.

December 23, 2019

Hill Booted

Rich Hill wound up seeing the Patriots game Saturday from a police station. To his credit, he was defending his wife:

Caitlin Hill repeatedly tried to enter Gillette Stadium with an oversized bag, Foxborough Police chief administrator Robert Bolger told the newspaper. She was arrested on disorderly conduct and trespassing charges after she refused to leave the area when ordered by police.
Rich Hill was then arrested and charged with disorderly conduct and resisting arrest after he tried to stop police from putting Caitlin Hill into a police vehicle.
ESPN.com

I wonder if this was caused my Mrs. Hill not being familiar with going to a game as a fan? Wives of players go in through an employee entrance, and I suspect they can bring whatever they want into the park.

October 7, 2019

Playoffs Today

It’s a four-game Monday as all four league division series feature elimination games. The action gets started at 1 PM EDT as the Astros visit the Rays, Houston leading the series 2-0. Zack Greinke faces former Astros pitcher Charlie Morton. Greinke came over in a mid-season trade to give the Astros three number one starters. He pitched well, very similar to his stats with the Diamondbacks, although he did allow more hits. That may have just been the difference between facing a pitcher and a designated hitter. For the third season in a row, Morton posted the best season ERA of his career, this time bringing it down to 3.05. He allowed the lowest home run rate of any ERA qualifier in the majors this season.

At 3 PM EDT, the Braves try to end the Cardinals season. The Braves will either send game one starter Dallas Keuchel or injury replacement Julio Teheran. The Cardinals start Dakota Hudson. Hudson appears to be one of those pitchers whose three-true outcome statistics fail to explain his ERA. FanGraphs has his FIP at 4.93 and his xFIP at 4.55. Hudson walks a lot of batter and owns a low K rate for this era. He does not allow many hits, however, mostly due to a high ground ball rate. His BABIP allowed is low, and was also low in the minors. For him, allowing batters to hit the ball works well.

The 6:30 PM EDT time slot belongs to the Dodgers and Nationals, the Nationals season on the line. Rich Hill faces Max Scherzer. Hill’s pitching in the post-season is a mixed bag. In eleven starts and one relief appearance, he owns a 3.03 ERA, but does not go deep in games. That led to a 1-2 record. Scherzer pitched some brilliant games, but some clunkers, too. In 88 post-season innings, he walked 34 an allowed ten home runs, so batters can get to him.

Finally, the Yankees visit the Twins with Luis Severino taking on Jake Odorizzi. The Twins try to stay alive and end a record post-season losing streak. Severino spent nearly the entire season on the disabled list, but may be worth the wait as he posted a 1.50 ERA in his three September starts. Odorizzi upped his strikeout rate this season and lower his home run rate to bring his ERA down about a run to 3.51. He makes his first post-season appearance.

Enjoy!

June 14, 2019

Games of the Day

The Diamondbacks try for another great pitching performance against the Nationals as Robbie Ray takes on Max Scherzer. Both pitchers blow away batters, but Ray is hurt a some by his walk rate, while Scherzer is great at all three-true outcomes.

The White Sox try for a second win against the Yankees in Chicago as CC Sabathia faces Lucas Giolito. The pitchers are moving in different directions. Sabathia struggled in his last three starts due to five home runs allowed in 16 innings. His walk and strikeout rates remain outstanding however. Giolitio turned out to be worth the wait for the White Sox, as he is now a legitimate Cy Young Award candidate. He posted a 1.22 ERA in his last nine starts with just two home runs allowed in 59 innings.

Finally, the Cubs and Dodgers meet in Los Angeles with Kyle Hendricks facing Rich Hill. Hendricks owns a high ERA on the road this season, 4.89, due mostly to five home runs allowed in 35 innings. Hill allowed eight home runs in 45 innings this season, but holds batters to a .135 BA with runners in scoring position to keep his ERA low.

Enjoy!

June 8, 2019

Games of the Day

The Pirates and Brewers continue their NL Central series with Jordan Lyles facing Zach Davies. Lyles owns a 2.61 ERA on the road, where he struck out 36 batters in 27 innings. Davies lowered his ERA two and a half runs compared to last season, and one and a half runs compared to his career. His three true outcomes are about the same, but Davies is pitching much better with men on base this season.

The Braves face the Marlins with Julio Teheran taking on Trevor Richards. Teheran pitched better than his record, posting a 3.28 ERA. He’s cut down on his home run rate this season. Richards ERA improved in his sophomore season, despite some worsening of his three-true outcome rates. He’s pitched better lately, with a 2.43 ERA since the start of May.

Jack Flaherty and Jon Lester battle in Chicago as the Cardinals visit the Cubs. Flaherty’s high strikeout rate limits opposition hits, but 20% of those hits have left the ballpark. Lester owns a very consistent WHIP the last three season, 1.32, 1.31, and 1.31 this year.

Finally, the Dodgers-Giants rivalry continues with Rich Hill facing Jeff Samardzjia. Hill struck out 46 batters in 40 innings while allowing just nine walks. Samardzjia owns a 2.03 ERA at home, with just three of his eleven home runs coming in San Francisco.

Enjoy!

October 27, 2018

Hill Done

Hill issues a walk and records a strikeout to start the seventh inning, and he is done. He allowed one hit in 6 1/3 innings, walking three, hitting a batter, and striking out seven. He leaves with a runner on first base and a 4-0 Dodgers lead over the Red Sox.

Update: Scott Alexander comes on and walks Brock Holt, the first batter he faces. It turns out it’s the only batter he faces, as arsonist Ryan Madson comes in the game.

Update: Madson gets a fly out from the first batter, then gives up a no-doubt pinch-hit home run to Mitch Moreland. The Dodgers lead the Red Sox 4-3, and Madson has now allowed seven inherited runners to score.

Update: Mookie Betts grounds out to end the inning. It’s a close game again.

October 27, 2018

Walking Up the Hill

Rich Hill issued two out walks in each of the first two innings, but that’s it. He’s now walked 11 and struck out 13 in 12 1/3 innings in the 2018 post-season. There’s no score as the Dodgers come to bat in the bottom of the second inning.

Update: Trying to change things up, Hill hits Eduardo Rodriguez, the opposing pitcher, leading off the third inning.

Update: Eduardo Rodriguez did not run hard to second on a slow roller to third base. Justin Turner easily throw out Rodriguez and what should have been an infield hit. Rodriguez has no idea how to play offense.

Update: What should have been a potential big inning for the Red Sox produces nothing. Still no score going to the bottom of the third inning.

October 27, 2018

Playoffs Today

The Red Sox announded that Eduardo Rodriguez will start Saturday night in game four against the Dodgers and Rich Hill. Rodriguez pitched 4 1/3 innings in the 2018 post-season so far, striking out five. He did allow two hits and three walks, one of those a home run. He threw six pitches last night, but may be the most rested Red Sox starter. Hill is one of the few Dodgers who did not get into the game Friday night. He has been wild in the 2018 post season, striking out 10 in 10 1/3 innings, but walking nine. The Boston batters will be happy to take walks against him. Amazingly, he allowed eight hits to go with the nine walks, but only three runs. The opposition is just 2 for 12 with runners in scoring position, and seven of the eight hits against him have gone for singles.

Enjoy!

October 16, 2018

Playoffs Today

The ALCS returns to action in Houston as the Red Sox send Nathan Eovaldi against the Astros and Dallas Keuchel. Eovaldi made one start against the Astros this season, and allowed four home runs in six innings, all solo shots. Keuchel owns a 1.93 pitching in Houston during the post-season.

Gio Gonzalez takes the hill for the Brewers as he face the Dodgers and Rich Hill in game four of the NLCS. Gonzalez started game one in a modified bullpen game. It was more a series of long relievers, rather than lights out closers. It was one of Gonzalez’s more successful post-season outings. Hill owns a 1.90 ERA pitching at home for the Dodgers in the post-season. He struck out 30 in 23 2/3 innings.

Enjoy!

October 8, 2018

Playoffs Today

It’s elimination afternoon as the Dodgers play their second match point against the Braves and the Astros take their first of three chances to eliminate the Indians.

Houston at Cleveland starts the day with Dallas Keuchel facing Mike Clevinger. Keuchel reversed his history of pitching better in Houston, posting a 3.59 ERA away, 3.90 at home in 2018. Clevinger found stepped up to the next level after the All-Star break, posting a 2.31 ERA in 13 starts. His strikeouts were outstanding which kept his hits against low, but he did give up a few home runs.

The Dodgers send Rich Hill against Mike Foltynewicz in Atlanta. Hill makes his ninth post-season start, overall owning a 3.48 ERA. He pitched well in his last four starts, but was not able to go deep into the game. Foltynewicz limits hits, owning the fifth lowest BA allowed in the majors this season.

Finally, the Red Sox visit the Yankees with the series tied at one. Boston sends Nathan Eovaldi against Luis Severino. Eovaldi posted a 1.93 ERA against the Yankees this season but allowed just one unearned run in 16 innings against New York with Boston. This is Eovaldi’s first post-season appearance. Severino allowed just one home run against the Red Sox in 30 1/3 innings.

Enjoy!

September 30, 2018

Games of the Day

All games today start at approximately 3 PM EDT. For some reason, the Cubs game is not scheduled to start until 3:20 PM.

The Dodgers send Rich Hill against the Giants and rookie pitcher Andrew Suarez. It looks like the Dodgers are trying to save Walker Buehler for the play-off or wild card game if needed. Hill is 4-0 in September despite a 5.09 ERA. Suarez owns a 3.18 ERA at home, 5.26 on the road, thanks to better walk and home run rates in San Francisco.

Detroit sends rookie Spencer Turnbull against the Brewers and Gio Gonzalez. Turnbull has 11 MLB innings under his belt, allowing seven runs despite just two walks and no home runs allowed. Opponents are 4 for 11 with runners in scoring position. Gonzalez has a 2.66 ERA in four starts since joining Milwaukee.

Washington decided to start rookie Eric Fedde instead of Max Scherzer against the Rockies, as this game does not mean life or death for the Rockies in terms of making the playoffs. Fedde pitched 61 2/3 innings in the majors over the last two seasons, allowing 11 homers and 29 walks in 61 2/3 innings. The Rockies start Tyler Anderson, who is 0-6 with a 6.91 ERA since the All-Star break.

Finally, the Cardinals are left to play spoilers as rookie Jack Flaherty faces the Cubs and Mike Montgomery. Flaherty had a fine rookie season, striking out 179 in 148 1/3 innings, good for a 3.16 ERA. Montgomery made two starts and two relief appearances against St. Louis this season, allowing no home runs in 15 innings.

Enjoy!

September 15, 2018

Games of the Day

The Dodgers and Cardinals continue their push for a wild card slot as Rich Hill takes on John Gant in the battle of the one syllable names. Despite walking one and striking out 15 in eleven September innings, Hill owns a 6.55 ERA, having allowed eight runs and three homers, five of the runs coming on those three homers. Gant is an odd pitcher. He walks a high number of batters, doesn’t strike out that many, but allows a low BABIP. He doesn’t induce a ton of ground balls. It looks like he has a very good four-seam fastball that gets popped up.

The Tigers play the Indians Saturday afternoon, and the Indians can clinch the AL Central with a win or a Twins loss. Michael Fulmer takes on Mike Clevinger. Fulmer’s ERA is up about three quarters of a run this season. He allowed a higher home run rate, and a .330 BA allowed with men in scoring position. Clevinger repeated his successful sophomore season, cutting down on walks while increasing his workload.

Finally, the Rockies send German Marquez against the Giants and Madison Bumgarner. Marquez improves on his sophomore season, lowering his ERA 0.45 runs with more strike outs and fewer home runs in more innings. Bumgarner doubled his walks this year in about the same number of innings as 2017, but his ERA is about the same thanks to allowing less power.

Enjoy!

September 9, 2018

Games of the Day

The Dodgers and Rockies play the rubber game of their NL West series as Rich Hill faces Tyler Anderson. Hill made few starts at Coors in his career, and owns a 7.17 ERA in Denver. He did pitch well in his one start there this season. Anderson ranks fifth in the majors in home runs allowed, and that can’t be blamed on Coors as 15 of the 28 HR allowed came at home.

Atlanta sends rookie Touki Toussaint against the Diamondbacks and Robbie Ray. Toussaint’s three-true outcomes are okay so far, as he has not allowed a home run, walked four, and struck out 10 in 10 2/3 innings. Even better, batters recorded just six hits against him (although four of those were doubles). Ray gets knocked around at home, where 13 home runs in 47 2/3 innings led to a 5.66 ERA.

Finally, the Astros go for a sweep of the Red Sox at Fenway with Dallas Keuchel battling Rick Porcello. The Red Sox are 14-15 against the likely AL playoff teams, 83-31 against everyone else. The post-season may not be a cakewalk for them.

Enjoy!

August 30, 2018

Games of the Day

First place teams meet in Atlanta as the Cubs send Mike Montgomery against the Braves and Mike Foltynewicz. Montgomery made 13 starts and 19 relief appearances this season, but pitched much better as a starter. He posted a 3.08 ERA in that role, versus 5.13 in relief. Foltynewicz used his ability to strike out batters and good fielding behind him to limit opponents to just 108 hits in 145 innings pitched this season.

Seattle tries to hold on in the AL Wild Card race as they send Wade LeBlanc against the Athletics and Frankie Montas. LeBlanc balances his high home run rate with a low walk rate. Montas allows a .290 BA, but that drops to .232 with men in scoring position.

Finally, the tight NL West race pits the Diamondbacks and Robbie Ray against the Dodgers and Rick Hill. Ray allowed 15 home runs this season, but only two of those came on the road. Hill split his 14 home runs allowed evenly home and road.

Enjoy!

August 7, 2018

Games of the Day

The Nationals trail the Braves by 4 1/2 games for the second wild card as they play a four-game series in Washington, with a double header Tuesday. Game two features Sean Newcomb against Max Scherzer. (It’s a max pitching day as Max Fried starts for the Braves in game one.) Newcomb owns a 5.56 ERA against Washington this season with one poor start and one quality start. Scherzer struck out 24 Braves and walked three in 20 innings this season, helping him to a 1.80 ERA against Atlanta.

The Twins continue their series with the Indians as Adalberto Mejia faces Carlos Carrasco. Mejia’s superpower is limiting batters to singles. Only one of the 16 hits against him this season went for extra bases. Carrasco limits walks with just 26 allowed in 123 innings.

Finally, the Dodgers send Rich Hill against the Athletics and Sean Manaea. Hill pitched well on the road this season, owning a 3.09 ERA. He struck out 41 in 35 road innings. Manaea pitches to contact, with just 26 walks and 98 K in 141 1/3 innings. He allowed just 117 hits, however, as his defense helped him to a .234 BABIP allowed.

Enjoy!

August 1, 2018

Games of the Day

The Indians and Twins finish their series with Carlos Carrasco facing Adalberto Mejia. Carrasco has struck out about four times the number of batter he walked in his career, and this season it’s very close to five. Mejia gets hit, but he doesn’t allow power, with a .306 BA against and a .367 slugging percentage against.

Dallas Keuchel faces Wade LeBlanc as Houston plays Seattle. After a rough June, Keuchel turned it around in July, posting a 1.65 ERA and allowing just one home run in 32 2/3 innings. LeBlanc is 6-0 at home with a 2.67 ERA, 0-1 on the road with a 4.57 ERA. He allows more power at home, but limits base runners better.

Chase Anderson takes the hill against Rich Hill as the Brewers battle the Dodgers. Anderson has his outfielders giving chase, as 43.4% of balls in play against him are fly balls. That’s tenth highest in the majors. Hill allowed just one run in two starts since the break, striking out 17 and walking five in 13 innings.

Enjoy!

July 26, 2018

Games of the Day

The Twins fly into Fenway as Kyle Gibson battles Brian Johnson. The Twins won three in a row and gained on the Indians as 7 1/2 games separate the teams. That’s close enough to be in the race, but large enough to require a collapse by the Tribe. If the Red Sox play .500 ball the rest of the way, they win 100 games.

The Dodgers continue their swing against the NL East leaders as Rich Hill face Anibal Sanchez and the Braves. Hill pitched better on the road with season, with only four of his 11 home runs allowed coming away. Sanchez owns a 1.99 ERA at home, thanks to allowing just three of his nine home runs in Atlanta.

Finally, the Brewers send Wade Miley against the Giants and Dereck Rodriguez. Miley makes his fifth start of the season. He owns a 1.56 ERA, and has yet to allow a home run in 17 1/3 innings pitched. His walks and strikeouts are even at 11, however, which is not a good sign. The rookie Rodriguez isn’t overpowering, but makes up for a lower K rate with just 13 walks and three home runs allowed in 53 innings.

Enjoy!

April 14, 2018

Games of the Day

The Rockies are out-pitching the Nationals so far in this series, and today will be another test as Jon Gray faces Max Scherzer. Gray’s high ERA is due to a poor start at Coors, but on the road he owns a 2.45 ERA with 11 strikeouts in 11 innings, and no home runs allowed. Scherzer is off to another great start, allowing five runs, two earned in 20 innings. He struck out 27 and walked just three.

Toronto and Cleveland are both playing well, and both sitting in second place in their respective divisions. Jaime Garcia faces Indians ace Corey Kluber. Garcia has never been a high strikeout pitcher, but so far this season he K’d 12 in 11 1/3 innings. Kluber is fast becoming the king of the Ks, with 27 in 23 innings this season, as he goes for five straight seasons over 220 strikeouts.

The Mets go for their tenth win in a row as they host Milwaukee. Chase Anderson takes on Matt Harvey. Anderson’s 2017 success came from cutting back on home runs allowed. He’s giving up more fly balls this season, and a higher percentage are leaving the park. It may be due to his throwing more four-seam fastballs and fewer sinkers. Harvey appears to have his control back, as he walked just two batters in 10 innings. He may never be the strikeout pitcher he was pre-injuries, but keeping men off base will keep him value up.

Finally, the first place Diamondbacks send Taijuan Walker to the mound in Los Angeles against Rich Hill and the Dodgers. Walker dominated the Dodgers in LA in 2017, allowing just eight hits and two runs in 11 innings, walking four. The lefty Hill has dominated RHB this season, who are just 6 for 27 against him with one walk.

Enjoy!

November 1, 2017

Halloween Boos

Rich Hill gave Dodgers fans time to boo Yuli Gurriel Tuesday night:

“That’s a subject that’s disheartening,” Hill said. “I think it’s something … unfortunately, I don’t think the punishment fit the action. I think, rightfully so, the fans spoke out and understood what was going on. I gave them their time to voice their opinion.”

Yurriel collected one of the Astros six hits Tuesday night.

Tino Martinez told ESPN many years ago that he would step out of the box after what he thought was a bad call by the home plate umpire to give the broadcast time to show the replay of the pitch. I believe that was pretty standard practice among batters, and one thing that slowed down the game.

October 31, 2017

Hill Allowed to Continue

Rich Hill is allowed to come out and pitch in the fifth inning. He gives up a single to Brian McCann. We’ll see if this is a good move or not.

So far, no. Marwin Gonzalez follows with a double smashed down the leftfield line. The Astros have a 1-0 lead on the Dodgers with men on first and second in the top of the fifth.

Update: Josh Reddick gets ahead 3-0, but strikes out swinging. One down.

Update: I am somewhat surprised the the Astros didn’t try a squeeze with Verlander at the plate. He strikes out. I suspect the Astros didn’t want a pop out double play with George Springer due next.

Update: The Dodgers intentionally walk Springer to pitch to Alex Bregman. Dave Roberts takes the ball, ending Hill’s evening. Brandon Morrow comes on to pitch, making his sixth appearance in six World Series games.

Update: The Dodgers live up to their name, dodging a bullet in that inning as Bregman grounds out to shortstop to end the inning. The Astros still lead 1-0 in the middle of the fifth inning.

October 31, 2017

I Thought It Never Rained in Southern California

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In the top of the fourth inning, there is a light rain falling at Dodger Stadium. The Astros lead the Dodgers 1-0 going to the bottom of the fourth. Rich Hill allowed two hits through four innings, throwing 36 of his 45 pitches for strikes. So far, Hill and Justin Verlander have combined for no walks and eight strikeouts.

October 31, 2017

Playoffs Today

The Astros are on the verge of their first World Series Championship as they play the Dodgers in Los Angeles. Game six of the series sees Justin Verlander take the hill against Rich Hill.

Verlander could be counted on for staying in the game in this post-season. He lasted at least six innings in each of his four starts, even throwing a complete game. His three home runs allowed in 30 2/3 innings is very good compared to what we’ve seen from some other starters. (The most impressive thing in that table is that Masahiro Tanaka and CC Sabathia combined to pitch 39 innings and allow just one home run.)

The most Hill pitched in a post-season game is six innings. This works, as his last five outings were short but sweet. In that stretch he is only 1-0, but with a 2.08 ERA and 31 strikeouts in 21 2/3 innings. He also allowed 11 walks, so he does not give his defense much work to do.

Both bullpens are a bit burned out at the moment. The day off helps a bit. We will see if Hill is allowed (or capable) of going more than four innings, and if Verlander and stay in the game for seven innings. How long the starter stays in the game may decide this contest.

Enjoy!