Comments on: Why Blame Anyone but Hamels?

By: geoknows

geoknows — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 19:55:35 +0000

Speaking as an outsider (that means I’m not a Philly fan, nor do I live in the area, but I’ve observed a lot of the Phillies over the past two post seasons), I see in Cole Hamels a guy who is more concerned with maintaining a rock star image since winning the World Series MVP that he is concerned with his picthing. Last year I really liked him; this year I see a whiny baby.

By: Bill Baer

Bill Baer — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 22:05:17 +0000

According to Fx research done here, fastballs do not do well when thrown after changes, but changes after changes do.

That’s one change-up following a change-up.

What about CH, CH, CH from a left-handed pitcher who really only throws FB/CH, against a right-handed hitter he had success against previously by throwing FB?

By: Colbs

Colbs — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 20:41:30 +0000

You can argue stats about a changeup following a changeup all you want, but what isn’t in those stats is this: Manny hasn’t hit fastballs well the whole 2nd half of the season. Living in LA, I can’t tell you how many times I’ve seen Manny strike out – often looking – on stick-straight fastballs, especially those on the outer half.

Taking that into account, I think the selection *was* poor.

By: Dan

Dan — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 19:05:25 +0000

To follow up on my point, see this here: http://www.hardballtimes.com/main/article/pitch-sequencing/
According to Fx research done here, fastballs do not do well when thrown after changes, but changes after changes do.

Here’s the pitch value for each pitch following a Change:

fb 0.02
si 0.90
cv 0.07
sl 0.02
ch -0.48
sp -1.72 *
cu 0.43

So, you can argue the pitch was poor, and that the previous 2 pitches were poor leading to the 2-0 count, but based on this analysis, you cannot argue that the selection was poor.

By: Dan

Dan — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 18:57:13 +0000

Only, Hamel’s fastball is not the pitch it was last season. Also, analysis shows that a fastball which follows a changeup is not as effective a pitch. Basically, he had no good options once he threw the first two changes which missed. It’s not the 2-0 change which killed him, it was getting 2-0 in the first place, leaving him few options.

By: Dukes

Dukes — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 18:13:05 +0000

What is Marcus’s email address. He should get beraded for that. I think I emailed him once before and he had some smart remark back.

By: Flexabull

Flexabull — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 18:08:38 +0000

I couldn’t agree more. And the body language by Hamels after the missed double play just screamed immaturity. Bear down Cole, and get the next batter out!