Tag Archives: Yordano Ventura

January 22, 2017

Double Tragedy

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Former player Andy Marte and current pitcher Yordano Ventura died in separate car crashed in the Dominican Republic, today, Sunday.

“We are deeply saddened to learn of the tragic passing of Andy Marte and Yordano Ventura,” Major League Baseball Players’ Association executive director Tony Clark said in a statement. “It’s never easy to lose a member of our fraternity, and there are no words to describe the feeling of losing two young men in the prime of their lives. Our thoughts and prayers go out to their families, friends, teammates and fans throughout the United States and Latin America.”

My thoughts go out to their family and friends. Marte was 33 years old, Ventura 25 years old.

Marte was a light-hitting infielder. He did have some pop and a decent glove, which allowed him to play parts of seven seasons in the majors, last attempting a comeback in 2014 after missing the majors for three seasons.

Ventura was a standout on the 2015 Royals as that team unexpectedly reached the World Series. He posted a 3.20 ERA that season, but in his final two years was not able to reproduce that low number. Ventura was known for his temper, hitting 17 batters in his last two seasons.

It’s a very sad day for baseball and the Dominican Republic.

August 28, 2016

Games of the Day

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The Yankees go for a sweep of the Orioles after two wins by wide margins Friday and Saturday. Kevin Gausman takes on CC Sabathia. Gausman looks for his first road win of the season, as he stands 0-9 with a 5.32 ERA on the road. His home run innings are about even, but he allowed 15 homers away and eight at home. However, in three starts against the Yankeed this season he owns a 1.31 ERA. Sabathia blew a little hot and cold over his last six starts, but more cold as his ERA stands at 5.11 in that period. His high strikeout rate can’t over come his high walk and home run rates.

The Indians try to split the four-game series with Texas in what proved to be an all or nothing series. The two Rangers wins were blow-out shutouts, while the Indians won game two 12-1. Danny Salazar and Derek Holland battle on Sunday. Salazar is one of three AL Pitchers striking out more than ten batters per nine innings. Holland pitched much better at home this year, with a 3.73 ERA in Texas versus 5.70 on the road.

Finally, the Royals and Red Sox play the rubber game of their wild card important series with Yordano Ventura facing Eduardo Rodriguez in prime time. Ventura turned his season around recently, with a 2.03 ERA in August. His ERA was 4.88 through the end of July. He upped his strikeouts and lowered his home run rate. Rodriguez, too, showed improvement, with a 2.52 ERA since the All-Star break. His ERA was 8.59 before the break. He went from allowing 9 home run in 29 1/3 innings to four home runs in 39 1/3 innings.

Enjoy!

June 9, 2016

Ventura Suspended

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MLB handed down a suspension to Yordano Ventura:

Kansas City pitcher Yordano Ventura was suspended nine games and Baltimore third baseman Manny Machado was penalized four games Thursday after their brawl earlier this week.

Major League Baseball also fined each player an undisclosed amount. USA Today, which first reported the Machado penalty, said the Orioles star must pay $2,500.

Each player has appealed, the league said. Machado was in the lineup for the Orioles on Thursday night against Toronto, batting third.

“It’s just kind of tough when you have to play short because of something that someone else kind of got going,” Orioles manager Buck Showalter said before the game.

Nine games is way too short for Ventura’s attack on Machado. Players can be suspended 80 games for domestic violence, but attempt to injure an opponent with a baseball, and you miss one start.

I agree with Christina Kahrl

:

No, no it is not enough. Nine games equals one missed start. That’s nothing. That’s a twinge and a precautionary sit-down. That’s a timeout for somebody whose tantrums are dangerous to the people he plays against. Given Ventura’s past history, MLB needed to make the strongest possible point of saying that it won’t tolerate anybody throwing high-90s heat with intent at people on the field.

I say that while acknowledging that I’ve been one of the more patient people with Ventura’s anger-management issues, writing about it after his run-in with Adam Eaton back in the big Royals-White Sox rumble of April 2015, and now this latest bit of mound mayhem. And I do still hope we get to see a Yordano Ventura who gets his act together, harnesses his league-beating heat, and gives the Royals — or somebody — the quality starting pitcher so many folks think he can be.

But remember, after the Eaton fracas Ventura received a seven-game suspension — and he didn’t even hit Eaton with a pitch. Dialing up the suspension-o-meter to nine isn’t just incremental, it lacks a sense of proportion. If you’re in the business of meting out punishments and you’re going to prosecute players for on-field violence, you dial it up way past nine games, because you’re operating from the belief that what Ventura did put another player’s health and career at risk.

It’s time to put an end to retaliation with pitches.

June 9, 2016 June 8, 2016

Mellinger on Ventura

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Sam Mellinger writes about the problem that is Yordano Ventura:

The biggest problem with Royals pitcher Yordano Ventura is that he exists in a game of failure, and nine years into a professional career, he still cannot handle his sport’s inevitable swings like an adult.

Ventura turned 25 years old last week, and he should be past these things. The Royals thought he was past these things. For whatever it’s worth, I did too. We were all wrong.

Ventura has regressed from his promising rookie season of 2014, his growing notoriety in the game clouding his decision-making and discipline. He is a mess, and an organization that has thrived with relentless loyalty is unsure what to do. The Royals need a bat, and Ventura is the piece that makes the most sense to trade, but he is also the most talented starting pitcher on a team that needs talented starting pitching.

The rub is that the Royals are two American League championships removed from the luxury of endless patience, and after Ventura was in the middle of a fourth unnecessary show of bluster in 14 months in Baltimore on Tuesday, the Royals displayed metaphorical flashing neon signs for anyone paying attention that they are flat sick of Ventura’s petulance and immaturity.

As they should be. Throwing a hard fastball at a player, even if you are aiming for the torso, is extremely dangerous. If the ball sails a bit and hits the player in the head, he could be killed. Ventura should get a very long suspension, this isn’t a first offense. It shouldn’t matter that Ventura tried to take out one of the games brightest stars in Manny Machado. Ventura needs to learn to control his rage.

May 6, 2016

Games of the Day

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The Nationals try again to stop the Cubs juggernaut as Max Scherzer faces John Lackey in the Friday matinee. Scherzer comes off his best start of the season, shutting down a good Cardinals offense with no walks and nine strikeouts in seven innings. Overall, his three-true outcome rates have all degraded from last season, so we’ll see if he can put together two good starts in a row. Lackey owns a 3-1 record, but the last two games the Cubs lost were both Lackey starts.

The Dodgers head to the Great White North to face the Blue Jays. Kenta Maeda battles Marcus Stroman. Maeda’s MLB career is off to a great start. His 1.41 ERA is due to excellence in all three-true outcomes. Stroman allowed four home runs so far this season, but has yet to allow one at home.

Kansas City and Cleveland are both four games behind the White Sox in the AL Central as Yordano Ventura takes on Danny Salazar. Ventura sports a terrible walk rate, issuing 20 free passes in 27 innings. His low hit rate has saved his ERA so far, but how long can that last? Salazar is also effectively wild, but at a much more reasonable walk every other inning. He’s allowed fewer hits (14) than walks (15).

Undefeateds square off in Detroit as 3-0 Cole Hamels and the Rangers try to beat 5-0 Jordan Zimmermann. Batters are going a good job of getting on base versus Hamels, with a .365 OBP, but so far have hit just .165 with runners in scoring position. Zimmermann allowed just four extra base hits this season, and three of them (including the lone home run) came with the bases empty.

The Rockies and Giants try to knock each other out of first place as Chad Bettis faces Madison Bumgarner. Despite playing his home games at Coors, all five of Bettis’s home runs allowed came on the road. Bumgarner is blowing away batters with 45 strikeouts in 35 2/3 innings, but has allowed a .254 BA. The BABIP against him this season stands at .333, versus .290 for his career.

Finally, the Mets send Noah Syndergaard against the Padres and Drew Pomeranz. In his short career, Syndergaard struck out 210 batters in 182 1/3 innings with just 37 walks. Pomeranz makes just his second home start of the season, so his excellent ERA is more than the PETCO effect. He’s holding opponents to a .194/.280/.311 slash line.

Enjoy!

April 19, 2016

Games of the Day

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Washington sends Stephen Strasburg against the Marlins Adam Conley. Strasburg is walking batters at about twice the rate of last season, but has yet to allow an extra base hit. All ten hits against him were singles, which helped keep his ERA low. Conley is blowing away batters so far, with eleven strikeouts in seven innings on the mound.

The Tigers and Royals battle in the AL Central as Shane Greene against Yordano Ventura. Thirteen home runs in 83 2/3 innings helped stick Green with a 6.88 ERA in 2015, but he hasn’t allowed a home run in seven innings, and only three hits in 2016. With 12 strikeouts in 11 innings, Ventura allowed just six hits. He’s trading them for walks, however, as he issued nine free passes.

Finally, the Cubs and Cardinals clash with Jason Hammel and Jaime Garcia on the mound. Hammel is another pitcher with early success despite a high number of walks, seven in twelve innings. Garcia upped his game so far with 19 K in just 15 innings.

Enjoy!

October 30, 2015

Playoffs Today

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The Royals and Mets resume the World Series Friday night as Yordano Ventura faces Noah Syndergaard at Citi Field. The Royals lead the series 2-0. Ventura comes into the game with four starts under his belt in the 2015 playoff and a 5.09 ERA. Two of the three legs of the pitching stool are weak for him. He allowed three home runs in and eight walks in 17 2/3 innings. Despite striking out 21 in that time, he allowed 20 hits, for a .278/.350/.500 slash line. His ERA could be worse, as all three home runs were solo shots, and he is allowing a .217/.280/.304 line with men in scoring position.

Syndergaard says he has some tricks up his sleeve for the aggressive Royals. Let’s hope it works better than this trick:

The rookie pitched brilliantly in his two post-season starts. He kept the ball in the park and struck out 20 in 13 innings. That allowed his six walks not to hurt him. So far, the Royals have not suffered the strikeouts against two good Mets pitchers. We’ll see if that continues against the extremely hard throwing Syndergaard.

Enjoy!

October 23, 2015

Ventura Out

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With one out in the top of the sixth inning Yordano Ventura gives up a double to Edwin Encarnacion. Ned Yost does not allow him to get in any more trouble. Ventura leaves the Royals with a 2-1 lead over the Blue Jays, having thrown 77 pitches, 51 for strikes. He walked two, struck out five, and allowed one home run.

Update: Kelvin Herrera comes in and retires the next two batters, and the Royals are nine outs away from going to the World Series.

October 23, 2015

Playoffs Today

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The Blue Jays play their second elimination game of the ALCS and their fifth of the post-season as they send David Price against the Royals and Yordano Ventura in Kansas City. Price is simultaneously pitching well and poorly in the post-season. He is striking out batters at a good rate and limiting walks. He allowed 17 hits in 16 2/3 innings. His ERA, however, stands at 7.02. His last start is a great example of this, where he was nearly unhittable for six innings, then gave up five runs in the seventh inning. He gave up most of his hits with men on base, so the timing of the offense against him hurt.

Ventura has the strikeouts, but he walks batters. He comes into the game with a 6.57 ERA this post season, and has not made it out of the sixth inning in any of his three starts. He is simply being hit hard, with a .308/.390/.519 slash line allowed.

Price has been the better pitcher in this post-season despite the higher ERA. As we’ve seen with other great pitchers who do poorly in the playoffs, timing is everything. I suspect Price will be lifted from the game tonight at the first sign of trouble, but this match-up should give the Blue Jays a fighting chance of reaching game seven.

Enjoy!

October 17, 2015

Process and Luck

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The first two Blue Jays hitters of the second inning reached on singles. After Troy Tulowitzki struck out, Yordano Ventura faced Russell Martin. One 2-1, Ventura hit the lower outside corner with a 98 mile fastball. He bounced the next pitch in the dirt to go 3-2. Harold Reynolds didn’t like that call of a pitch, since the shadows and Ventura’s speed was giving him an advantage on the edges of the strike zone. The 3-2 pitch had to be a strike, and Russell Martin hit the ball hard, a low line drive.

Alcides Escobar, however, was in diving range, and caught the shot for the out. Edwin Encarnacion was headed for third base, and was easily doubled off second.

The Royals process was poor in setting up Martin. Martin’s process was great, hitting a strike after taking pitches on the edge. The Blue Jays should still be batting, but the placement of the batted ball led to a great outcome for the Royals and a poor one for tthe Blue Jays. Another example of random luck changing the game.

There’s no score in the bottom of the second inning.

October 17, 2015

Playoffs Today

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David Price battles Yordano Ventura as the Blue Jays and Royals make a late afternoon start for game two of the ALCS. Price pitched poorly in the ALDS, giving up eight runs, all earned. He allowed five as a starter and three in relief, so it looks like Texas had his number. Price’s 5.04 career post-season ERA partially comes from allowing nine home runs in 50 innings. On top of that, while Price had a low ERA against the Royals in two starts, he only struck out four in 15 1/3 innings. Ventura had a rough outing in the ALDS as well. Despite ten strikeouts in seven innings, the Astros managed to score six runs. In his post-season career, Ventura allowed five home runs in 32 1/3 innings. This could be a slugfest.

The prime time game features the Cubs and Mets as the NLCS gets underway. Jon Lester faces Matt Harvey. Lester is a proven post-season pitcher, with a 2.66 ERA in 91 1/3 innings. Given the level of competition in the post-season, that low an ERA, nearly a run better than his career mark, is quite an accomplishment. Harvey made one start against the Cubs during the regular season, pitching seven shutout innings, allowing just three hits.

Enjoy!

October 12, 2015

Playoffs Today

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Yordano Ventura starts on short rest after throwing just 42 pitches in a rain-shortened game one outing for Kansas City as the Royals try to send the series back to Kansas City. Lance McCullers gets the opportunity to help the Astros clinch an ALCS berth. The Astros scored three times against Ventura in those two innings, as Houston tried to put the ball in play, rather than swinging for the fences. McCullers makes his first post-season start after a rookie year that saw him strike out 129 batters in 125 2/3 innings. Opponents hit just .226 off him.

The Blue Jays try to survive a second elimination game as they send R.A. Dickey against the Rangers and Derek Holland. This could be the slugfest of the day. Dickey went 2-8 with a 4.83 ERA on the road in 2015, home opponents hitting .296 with a .469 slugging percentage against him. Holland finished the season poorly, allowing 24 runs in 28 1/3 innings over his last five starts.

The Cardinals and Cubs head to the north side of Chicago for game three, Michael Wacha facing Jake Arrieta. This is the game the Cubs have to win, as the wild card game only allows them to use their ace once. Wacha pitched great overall, but finished wild. He walked 18 batters in 24 innings during his last five starts of the season. Since his outstanding 2013 NLCS, he allowed 11 runs in 10 post season innings. Arrieta makes his post-season debut. Among his 2015 regular season feats is holding left-handed batters to a .159/.221/.228 slash line. The Cardinals were patient with him this year, drawing eight walks in 26 innings.

Finally, in a late start in New York, left-hander Brett Anderson of the Dodgers faces Matt Harvey of the Mets. The Mets did well when a left-hander started against them this season, going 20-16. Anderson pitched well on the road this season, posting a 3.07 ERA. He allowed just seven of his 18 home runs away. Harvey pitched extremely well in CitiField this season, 8-3 with a 2.23 ERA. He walked hist 16 batters in 113 innings in Queens.

Enjoy!

October 8, 2015

Playoffs Today

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The ALDS gets underway with the Rangers visiting the Blue Jays, the game kicking off a little after 3:30 PM EDT. Yovani Gallardo faces David Price. Gallardo lowered his ERA slightly compared to 2014 despite moving to the American League, a lower strikeout rate and a higher walk rate. He was devastating this season with runners in scoring position. Price was 9-4 with a 2.53 ERA for Detroit, then turned it up a notch with Toronto. He went 9-1 with a 2.30 ERA for the Blue Jays in just 11 starts. Price was particularly good against right-handed batters. The lefty allowed a .219/.267/.342 slash line to RHB, giving him a reverse platoon split.

The Astros send Collin McHugh against the Royals and Yordano Ventura as Houston plays their first post-season as an American League team. McHugh hit his stride after the All-Star break, going 10-2 with a 3.11 ERA. The big difference came from keeping the ball in the park. He allowed 14 home runs before the break, just five after. The first two-plus months of the season did not go well for Ventura, despite decent walk, and home run numbers. When he came back, his strikeouts took off, and he started winning games again.

Enjoy!

October 3, 2015

Games of the Day

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The Twins need a win to have a hope of continuing in the AL Wild Card race as they host the Royals. Yordano Ventura faces Tommy Milone as the Royals need a win keep them alive for at least one more day in the race for best record in the AL. Ventura’s ERA is a run higher than in 2014 despite a similar WHIP. Despite his strikeout rate rising, he allowed more hits, and a higher slugging percentage. Milone’s stats are nearly identical to his 2014 numbers, but he was able to garner four more decisions.

Hector Santiago and Colby Lewis enter the Angels game against the Rangers with nine losses each, but Lewis holds 17 wins to Santiago’s nine. Santiago’s ERA is lower, 3.52 to 4.53, but Lewis has the second best run support in the American League.

The Blue Jays could use a win to help them to the best record in the AL, and their game against the Blue Jays features Marco Estrada against Chris Archer. Estrada has not allowed a run against Tampa Bay in 21 innings this season, two of the four games in relief. Archer allowed 84 total runs this season, 26 of them coming Toronto and Texas, each scoring 13.

Max Scherzer and the Nationals try to stop the Mets from gaining home field advantage as he faces Matt Harvey in game two of the double header. Both go for their 14th win. Scherzer is 0-2 against the Mets despite a 2.61 ERA. He walked three and struck out 24, but allowed four home runs in 20 2/3 innings. Harvey faces Washington for the sixth time this season, 2-1 with a 2.73 ERA. He has not given up a home run to the Nationals.

Enjoy!

August 3, 2015 July 20, 2015

Games of the Day

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The Red Sox and Angels start the day with the first game of a split admission double header, the result of an historic rainout:

The teams are scheduled to play a day-night doubleheader Monday, the first doubleheader to be played at Angel Stadium due to a rainout since Aug. 5, 1988, a makeup game for an April 14, 1988 rainout. The Angels also played a doubleheader here on Sept, 6, 2003, against the Kansas City Royals, the result of a rainout in Kansas City earlier that season.

Mike Trout was three years old the last time a game was postponed in Anaheim. Eduardo Rodriguez faces Hector Santiago in game one. The Boston rookie struck out 46 while walking just 16 batters in 52 2/3 innings. Santiago found his control this season, walking 34 batters in 108 1/3 innings. That’s helping him to a 2.33 ERA.

On the east coast, Matt Harvey leads the Mets into Washington against the Nationals and Gio Gonzalez. Two games separate the NL East rivals as the Mets try to gain ground in the division race. Harvey’s weakness in his return from Tommy John surgery is the home run ball. He’s already allowed twice the number of home runs he did in 2013, in 67 fewer innings. Gonzalez pitched seven shutout innings against the Mets the only time he faced them this season. Both these offenses are hurting, so this could be another pitching duel.

Finally, the Pirates try to tame the Royals as A.J. Burnett takes on Yordano Ventura. Burnett is pulling a Mike Mussina, trying to go out with one of his best seasons. Unlike Mike, Burnett can still bring the heat, with 100 K in 119 1/3 innings. Ventura owns a 2.63 ERA in four starts against NL teams. Against AL teams, his ERA stands at 5.77.

Enjoy!

May 24, 2015

Games of the Day

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The Royals go for a sweep of the Cardinals and a six-game win streak as Michael Wacha takes on Yordano Ventura. Wacha stands 6-0 with two no-decisions in 2015, thanks to a 2.13 ERA. Despite not striking out that many batters, he holds the opposition to a .216 BA, and issues very few walks. Vertura is allowed 1.14 HR per 9 IP this season after a 0.69 per 9 IP rate in 2014.

James Shields puts his 5-0 record on the line against Carlos Frias as the Dodgers go for a sweep of the Padres. Los Angeles has scored just six runs in their last seven games, but managed to go 3-4. Shields provided more than the Padres should have expected in terms of strikeouts, with 75 K in his first 55 1/3 innings. Frias allowed just one home run in 24 2/3 innings this season.

Enjoy!

May 8, 2015

Games of the Day

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The Cardinals travel to Pittsburgh as the Pirates try to get revenge for last week’s sweep. The series starts with Michael Wacha facing Francisco Liriano. Wacha handled the Pirates well in his short career, allowing just three runs in 20 2/3 innings for a 1.31 ERA. He’s yet to give up a homer to Pittsburgh. Liriano struck out 34 in his 32 1/3 innings, and allowed just 14 hits.

The Royals invade Detroit as Yordano Ventura takes on David Price. Ventura’s high ERA this season is due mostly to giving up home runs at a higher rate and allowing a .353 BA with runners in scoring position. Price is trading home runs for walks. He’s on a pace to walk about 40 more batters than last season, but give up about 1/2 the homers.

Finally, Jarred Cosart and the Marlins face Tim Lincecum and the Giants. Cosart got knocked around on the road this year, giving up six runs in 11 1/3 innings. Lincecum seems to have solved the home run problem that plagued him the last three years, giving up one so far in 30 IP.

Enjoy!

April 24, 2015

Emotional Pitcher

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Yordano Ventura talks about controlling his emotions after the Royals win 3-2 over the White Sox in 13 innings:

“The last three outings, my emotions have spilled over and gotten the better of me,” Ventura said. “I’m an emotional pitcher, but I need to work on controlling them. I want to do that, I certainly want to avoid the results, games ending the way [the past three] have. I want to use the emotions to pitch well, but not go over the top and have these kinds of incidents.”

But Ventura is also picking up a reputation for losing his cool on the field, and now perhaps, unavoidably, it’s on his mind.

“Yeah, I’ve thought about that, and some of my actions are certainly putting me in a less-than-favorable light, as well as the team,” Ventura said. “That’s important to me, and I need to work on it and be better.”

Ned Yost went on to say that opponents are trying to exploit this, to get Ventura out of the game.

By they way, I never thought the Royals would be the most bad ass team of 2015.

April 23, 2015

Trouble Follows the Royals

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After a rough series with Oakland, the Royals seem to keep the trouble going in Chicago:

Nerves appeared to be on edge after the White Sox’s Jose Abreu was hit in the left elbow by a Yordano Ventura pitch in the fourth inning, and the Royals’ Mike Moustakas was hit in the upper right arm by a Chris Sale pitch one inning later. Both benches were warned after Moustakas was hit.

But things didn’t get ugly until Adam Eaton hit a comebacker at Ventura in the seventh inning. Television replays appeared to show that Ventura barked an expletive at Eaton before throwing to first base for the out.

Both Eaton and Ventura were quickly restrained by umpires, but once both teams gathered on the infield, punches began flying. Jeff Samardzija lost his footing at one point in the fracas, with a dogpile quickly forming near the first-base bag.

The White Sox saw Sale and Samardzija get tossed, while the Royals lost Ventura, Lorenzo Cain and Edinson Volquez.

Abreu was Ventura’s third hit batter this season in four games. He’s walked six in 22 innings, so he’s hardly wild. The teams are going to the eleventh inning tied at two.

April 23, 2015

Games of the Day

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Julio Teheran faces Bartolo Colon as the Braves and Mets finish their series in New York, the Mets going for their 11th win in a row. Teheran’s three true outcomes look worse than his 3.71 ERA. Three of his four home runs allowed came with the bases empty, and opponents are hitting just .200 with runners in scoring position. Colon is pitching as well as he ever has, with 18 K and one walk in 20 innings. His only weakness is three home runs allowed.

Michael Wacha and Max Scherzer square off in Washington as the Cardinals play the Nationals. Wacha allows a 60 point higher OBP on the road than at home, and a slugging percentage 75 points higher. Scherzer is earning his big salary so far with an ERA of 0.83 on a 0.83 WHIP.

Finally, Yordano Ventura leads the White Sox into Chicago to face Chris Sale and the White Sox. Ventura allowed four of his six extra base hits with men on base this year. Sale seemed to recover from his injury just fine, striking out 14 and walking just two in his first 12 innings.

Enjoy!

April 18, 2015

Games of the Day

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Atlanta continues their series with the Blue Jays as Alex Wood and R.A. Dickey take the measure of each other. Wood showed some wildness early in the season, walking six batters in 11 2/3 innings. Dickey was a bit worse, with eight walks in 12 1/3 innings, but he allowed just three runs.

Chris Sale and Anibal Sanchez battle in an AL Central fight between the Tigers and the White Sox. Sale showed no ill-effects from his injury, striking out eight in six innings in his first start. Sanchez walked just two in 13 innings, but allowed three home runs. He only allowed four all last season. ON a side note, Miguel Cabrera went 2 for 4 on Friday and is now batting .439.

Oakland takes another shot at cooling off the Royals as Jesse Hahn faces Yordano Ventura. Hahn lets his fielders do most of the work, as he walked two, struck out five, and has not allowed a home run in his 11 2/3 innings this season. With a .279 OBP allowed, both Ventura’s home runs allowed have been solo shots.

Finally, the Rockies send Jordan Lyles against Zack Greinke and the Dodgers. Lyles strong start comes from shutting down right-handed batters, hitting just .136 against him. Lefties are hitting .350, however. Greinke walked one and struck out 11 in 13 innings, allowing just seven hits.

Enjoy!

April 12, 2015

Games of the Day

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The Blue Jays and Orioles both stand 3-2 in the AL East as Drew Hutchison takes on Chris Tillman. Hutchison makes his ninth start against the Orioles in his short career. He had a great deal of success, going 4-1 with a 2.29 ERA. He struck out 55 in 51 innings, holding the Orioles to just 36 hits. Tillman came up young, at seasonal age 21, and his first three seasons proved to be a learning experience. Since then he cut down on his walks allowed, increased his strikeout rate, and lowered his ERA by more than two runs.

Out west, Yordano Ventura and the suddenly high-scoring Royals take on the Angles and C.J. Wilson. Ventura let his defense do the work in his first start, striking out two and walking one in six innings, but allowing just four hits. Wilson did him two better, walking one and striking out two in eight innings, allowing just two hits.

Enjoy!

April 6, 2015

Games of the Day

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Happy Opening Day!

The Blue Jays and Yankees kick things off in the Bronx as Drew Hutchison faces Masahiro Tanaka. Hutchison is an interesting choice for opening day on baseball’s biggest stage. He posted impressive three-true outcomes at all levels of the minor leagues, and in his first season in the majors. His MLB ERA has not reflected that success, however. With men on base, he allowed a .481 slugging percentage, versus .380 with the bases empty. He giving up long hits when they do the most damage. That may be a maturity issue, but at seasonal age 24 the Blue Jays put him in the role of an ace. Tanaka plays with an iffy elbow. He says his velocity won’t be back this year. That’s okay, as plenty of pitchers found success with slower stuff and deception.

I very much like the AL Central this season, and the Twins at the Tigers is a bit of a David versus Goliath game. The Twins should be better this season as they send Phil Hughes against David Price. Hughes found his control in 2014, walking just 16 batters in 209 2/3 innings, fitting into the Twins philosophy perfectly. At the same time, he lowered his home run rate as well. Price turned into a work horse, logging 248 1/3 innings for the Rays and Tigers in 2014. That’s 24 more inning that he ever threw before in the regular season. He struck out 9.8 per nine innings, over one K per 9 IP better than his career average.

Max Scherzer makes his Washington debut as Bartolo Colon leads the Mets against the Nationals. Colon will be 42 in a few weeks, but managed to throw nearly 400 innings over the last two seasons. He still commands the strike zone, walking just 59 batters in that time frame. Only Price has a better walk rate since the start of 2013. Scherzer uses his power pitching to keep his ERA low. Combined with a high scoring Detroit lineup, he owns the highest winning percentage in the majors over the last two seasons.

While there was plenty of hype about the Cubs Sunday night, the White Sox are also a greatly improved team. Jeff Samardzija leads the south siders into Kansas City to face Yordano Ventura. Samardzija was part of the failed Oakland plan of revamping their rotation to make the playoffs. The Samardzija, like Jon Lester, pitched well, but was not supported. He gives the White Sox a solid front three in the rotation. Ventura signed a nice extension, making him a millionaire and helping the Royals control costs. A right-handed pitcher, he exhibited a reverse platoon advantage so far in his career.

The best pitching matchup of the day might be Jered Weaver against Felix Hernandez in Seattle. The Mariners improved once again and look ready to take the AL West crown from the Angels. Despite an off-year for Weaver in 2014, he still managed an 18-9 record. His 27 home runs allowed were a career high, but starting the season in Seattle should lessen that weakness. King Felix turned in the most innings and lowest ERA of his career in 2014. He held batters to a .231 OBP at home last season.

James Shields begins his Padres career in Los Angeles against Clayton Kershaw. (I supposed having to face Kershaw a number of times during a season would be a reason not to sign with the Padres.) Shields pitched well for the Royals in his two years there, making the Wil Myers trade seem better in retrospect. Myers will be behind Shields in the outfield today. Kershaw is the best in the game right now. He led the NL in ERA four years in a row, the last two seasons with ERAs under 2.00. He struck out nearly five times as many as he walked, and is very stingy with the home run ball.

The Indians extended their new ace, Corey Kluber, and he opens the season in Houston against Dallas Keuchel. Kluber, by the way, is not young. He plays this season as a 29-year-old, making him more of a late bloomer. His 2014 season combined stamina (three complete games), power (269 K), and support (18-9 record) to make him the highlight of the Cleveland season. Keuchel had a lower level break-out year, posting a 2.93 ERA, and helped the Astros improve by 19 games.

Finally, playoff hero Madison Bumgarner leads the Giants into Arizona to face Josh Collmenter. Bumgarner made six starts and a five inning relief appearance in the playoffs. His strikeout rate was lower than during the regular season, but he allowed just one walk per nine innings pitched, and help the opposition to a .219 slugging percentage. Opponents were just 2 for 24 against him with runners in scoring position. Collmenter had his first full season of play since 2011. He allows the ball to be put in play, but keeps his walks low so the hits don’t do too much damage.

Enjoy!

October 28, 2014

The Game at the Stretch

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The Royals lead the Giants 9-0 at the seventh inning stretch. Yordano Ventura has thrown exactly 100 pitches, but only 58 for strikes. He walked five and struck out four, which isn’t very good, but the Giants only managed three hits off him. The Royals will take the shutout innings, no matter the process.

This is shaping up to be the blow out series. If this score mostly holds up, it will be the fifth game in the series that was decided by five runs or more.

Update: Mike Moustakas homers leading off the bottom of the seventh to increase the Royals lead to 10-0.

Update: Hunter Strickland allowed the home run. That’s six on the season in less than seven innings.

October 28, 2014

Playoffs Today

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The 2014 reaches a make or break game as the Giants and Royals move to Kansas City for game six, with the Giants leading the series three games to two. Jake Peavy gets the start as the Giants try to bring home their third World Series title in five years. Yordando Ventura tries to send the Royals to a game seven.

Peavy, however, simply does not go deep in post-season starts. Tuesday night’s start will be the ninth of his career in the post-season, and he never completed six innings in any of them. His only win came this year against Washington, where he was lifted with a shutout intact after 5 2/3 innings. In his regular season career, Peavy posted a strikeout rate of 8.5 per nine innings pitched, and a walk rate of 2.7 per 9 IP. In the post-season, his strikeout rate drops to 4.6 per nine IP, and his walk rate rises to 3.9 per 9 IP. A pitcher with rates that poor likely would not last long in the majors.

Ventura pitches better at home. His three true outcomes are better, and his opposition slash line is much better in all three averages, especially his .298 OBP allowed at home versus .324 on the road. His ERA is slightly higher at home, and his won-loss record is much better on the road. Despite the latter two observations, this is a good park for Ventura, and Ned Yost made the right move getting him two starts in Kansas City.

Enjoy!

October 22, 2014

Ventura Done

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Yordano Ventura leaves with one out in the sixth inning, as two singles put Giants at first and second. Ned Yost has already gone to his better defensive outfield, and now the power arms in the bullpen will try to keep the ball from being put in play.

Ventura through 87 pitches, 55 for strikes, as the Giants worked counts. Ventura walked none, but struck out just two.

The Giants and Royals are still tied at two.

Update: Kelvin Herrera comes in to face Brandon Belt.

Update: Herrera induces a fly and a grounder to get out of the inning with no damage.

October 22, 2014

Giant Start

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Gregor Blanco leads off game two with a solo home run off Yordano Ventura. Ventura allowed a .358 slugging percentage during the regular season, but that’s the third home run he allowed in the post season.

Update: Ventura limits the damage by getting the next three batters, but once again Kansas City comes to bat for the first time trailing.

October 22, 2014

Playoffs Today

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The Giants and Royals meet in game two of the 2014 World Series Wednesday evening with Jake Peavy facing Yordano Ventura. The Giants lead the series 1-0 to none, so a win by the Royals tonight means they only have to take one game in San Francisco to regain home field advantage. It is rare for a team to lose the first two games at home and comeback to win a seven-game series. Peavy owns a 1.86 ERA so far this post season, despite not pitching well. In 9 2/3 innings of work, he allowed just two runs, but walked six batter, striking out just five. Opponents are just 1 for seven against him with runners in scoring position, and are hitting just .182 against him overall. A couple of well timed hits could have raised his ERA much higher. He has not gone deep in games, but the Giants bullpen is well rested.

Ventura’s poor performance in relief makes his post-season numbers look worse than they should be. In his two starts, Ventura recorded a 3.55 ERA with four walks and eight strikeouts in 12 2/3 innings. He’s capable of better K numbers.

Enjoy!