tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2893512317902577458.post3015249161152493574..comments2024-01-06T02:22:33.000-05:00Comments on Camden Depot: O's Bullpen Is Not Overachieving AnymoreJon Shepherdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03521809778977098687noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2893512317902577458.post-68869451742198960342013-05-31T14:19:51.104-04:002013-05-31T14:19:51.104-04:00Another question (which I forgot to aks earlier) i...Another question (which I forgot to aks earlier) in regards to Brian Matusz: He'd striking out a lot more batters and walking a lot less than when he was a starter, but the major difference seems to be the ground balls--his GB% is a robust 53.3%, compared to 40.6% last year and 36.2% for his career. What has he changed to keep the ball down so much more, and is this common for a starter--turned--reliever?<br /><br />Also, where does Chris Davis buy his roids? GNC doesn't seem to have 'em.Triple Rnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2893512317902577458.post-48372699733490461202013-05-30T22:28:29.276-04:002013-05-30T22:28:29.276-04:00You make some good points, and thanks for reading....You make some good points, and thanks for reading.<br /><br />Yeah, looking at relievers is a lot different than starters. I'm not sure bringing up two of the greatest relievers, in Rivera and Hoffman, is really saying that much, though. None of the O's relievers are close to that level. <br /><br />There might be too small of a sample to say much definitively. Anyway, I have more confidence in Johnson bouncing back than Strop or Patton. I just think he's the better pitcher.<br /><br />As for McFarland, who knows? I guess we just need to see him pitch more.Matt Kremnitzerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15693430925266947705noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2893512317902577458.post-37383607604928369902013-05-30T22:06:41.759-04:002013-05-30T22:06:41.759-04:001. O'day has been outperforming his perifs for...1. O'day has been outperforming his perifs for his entire career (his career ERA is 119 points lower than his career xFIP) and I see no reason why that should stop now.<br /><br />2. Johnson has been lucky for not one, but two years now, which may suggest a permanent trend; also, don't forget he had a very rough stretch last year after the All-Star break but bounced back to his normal lucky self after that.<br /><br />3. Is TJ McFarland and his 8.39 K/9 for real? His K/9 was only 4.82 at AAA past year, and with Weaveresque velocity, that seems like the level he should e at in the bigs.<br /><br />4. With Johnson and Strop, the perifs aren't all that much different from last year, but Patton is truly mindboggling. How does a guy who entered the year with a very good career K/BB of 3.64 suddenly start walking more batters than he strikes out? Just from watching him, his accuracy is horrible-Wieters will give him a target, and he'll miss by a foot or more. What gives?<br /><br />5. (most importantly) Most relief pitchers will outperform their perifs over their career. Mo Rivera has a career ERA 79 points lower than his career xFIP. Trevor Hofffman has a career ERA 91 points lower than his career xFIP. Both of them have career BABIP's in the low .260's. Face facts-whether it's because of the low workload or just plain luck, relievers WILL outperform their perifs. Triple Rnoreply@blogger.com