425 replies to this topic

[BSLChrisStoner]

Hunter vs. Buchholz

Buchholz: 3-1, 8.69 era, 29 ip, 40 hits, 7 hr’s, 15 bb’s, 16 k’s, .964 OPS against, 1.10 G/F
Pitch F/X:http://pitchfx.texas...012&to=5/2/2012

[BSLChrisStoner]

Fire Brand of the AL: http://firebrandal.c...ng-for-answers/

[NewMarketSean]

With Hunter on the mound I don't feel too confident winning this one but hopefully the bats get to Buchholz who has been struggling. The Boston line up is a shadow of what it once was despite having a solid 2,3,4 and some decent younger guys stepping up and playing well. At any rate, it's time to show the Red Sox that this is a different Os team and sweep these guys in their own stadium.

[You Play to Win the Game]

Fire Brand of the AL: http://firebrandal.c...ng-for-answers/

That was a great read. Very interesting.

[You Play to Win the Game]

From the Fire Brand AL article above, this is the most telling to me:



When I looked at the F/X data on Bucholz, I wondered why he wasn't using his change up more (only uses it 11.7% of the time), when the variance from his change and his cutter and 4-seamer is anywhere between 11-14 MPH. That's a really good variance.

What's happened when he's thrown it this year though is that it's getting swung at a lot, and batters are putting it in play for hits. The article goes in to the fact that he's hanging his change up a lot, and now that the book is out, it's just not fooling anyone anymore.

It's been interesting to see the decline of Bucholz. For a while there, I thought Boston walked on water with organizational development, but with Bucholz, they are dangerously close to having a once top prospect/1st rd pick fall off the map. Fortunately for Clay, the Red Sox rotation is in shambles, so they don't appear to be in any hurry to rush him down to triple A.

BTW - the first line of that article made me laugh.

Welcome to the latest edition of “What’s wrong with (insert Red Sox starting pitcher here)?” Today’s subject is Clay Buchholz.

[Chris B]

I've been MIA the past few days because of exams, packing up, and driving back home. I'm back in Baltimore, so let's hope the O's winning trend continues.

[BSLChrisStoner]

That was a great read. Very interesting.

The author - Chip Buck - is a registered poster here. Good guy, good analysis. You can find him on Twitter at: @Chip_Buck .

[You Play to Win the Game]

The author - Chip Buck - is a registered poster here. Good guy, good analysis. You can find him on Twitter at: @Chip_Buck .

Didn't know that - that's good stuff. Thanks.

[You Play to Win the Game]

One pitch, one out.

[BSLChrisStoner]

Hardy goes Yard, and the O's go up 1-0.

[Chris B]

Hardy with the homer!

You can hear some cheers in Fenway.

[You Play to Win the Game]

And as advertised, Bucholz hangs a fastball that JJ Hardy crushes into the Monster seats. It's 1-0 Birds. Hells to the yes.

[BSLChrisStoner]

Hardy with the homer!

You can hear some cheers in Fenway.

Yep, did hear a few.

[BSLChrisStoner]

Markakis lines out, Jones doubles off the Monster.

[Chris B]

Jones double off the Monster. Let's get him in, Wieters.

[BSLChrisStoner]

Wieters pops out, ending the 1st.

[Chris B]

Wieters pops out to 2nd.

I was really hoping we'd see a bit more patience in the 1st inning from Orioles hitters.

[You Play to Win the Game]

The bad news, we only forced Bucholz to throw 9 pitches... the good news, he's not fooling anyone. There were 4 well hit balls that inning, one of which ended up in the Monster seats.

[BSLChrisStoner]

Wieters pops out to 2nd.

I was really hoping we'd see a bit more patience in the 1st inning from Orioles hitters.

Would have been nice to get that 2nd run in. Only 9 pitches for Buchholz in the 1st. Still good to grab the immediate lead. Hopefully Hunter can have a quick inning.

[ravens8589]

So far, not much working of the count. Hopefully Buchholtz keeps hanging some pitches.