I Gots This Theory
Is there anything cooler than offering up a crackpot theory on the Monday afternoon before a holiday Tuesday?
I didn't think so.
Okay, so I've had the pleasure of seeing the last two A.J. Burnett starts and I'm wondering something about his great performances in these games. Does he take a longer time between pitches when he's throwing something off speed compared to his fastball?
Believe me, there's nothing I hate more than an amateur observer commenting on something that professionals likely would've caught long before it ever occurred to the non-professional, but sitting at Rogers Centre last Tuesday, without the benefit of a stopwatch or any other piece of modern technology, I thought I noticed that whenever there was a long pause between pitches from Burnett, something off speed would be thrown.
I had forgotten about my theory until the fifth inning yesterday, and sure enough, I found myself able to predict with amazing accuracy each time an off speed pitch was going to be tossed.
By the way, my armchair scouting is not meant to take away from Burnett's bonerific play yesterday, shutting down the Atlanta Braves en route to a 1-0 Blue Jays victory. Over his last two starts, Burnett has pitched 15 innings, allowed one run on seven hits, given up seven walks and struck out 18 batters. That's not too shabby for a .500 pitcher.
Speaking of off speed bullshit, our friends from Mop Up Duty have put together a nice little chart that analyzes the most prolific hook tossers in the game today. There are a couple of familiar names at the top of the list.
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12 comments:
where's the podcast, sluts?
It's going to be late today, Wheels. The dinks at The Score have the audacity to take vacation days before a holiday.
Geoff Baker is the guest this week and he defends Richard Griffin, intangibles and cocaine.
The thing is with Burnett, when he is on his game (as he was yeaterday), the hitter can know exactly which pitch is coming and still just whiff away.
Now, I love crackpot theories just as much as the next smarmy, self-important Jays fan but when it comes to their application in baseball, I demand measurable quantities.
So, until I see read about some stop-watch figures next to AJ's pitches thrown, I'm going to stick with my observations: AJ threw a shit load of benders yesterday, leading to your perception that he took longer between pitches when he tossed a hook.
hmm, should I even listen?
Ask Geoff about the White Jays article.
So how hard have you tried to actually get Griffin on the show? That would be pretty interesting.
Damnz about the late podcast. I'd love to listen to it during this total waste of a day at work.
Also, before Geoff left the Star to work in Seattle he said that Dick was the best baseball writer in Canada.
David, the podcast is late because it needs some editing. Baker actually brought up the White Jays before we could ask. Chris-- he said the same thing to us when we asked him about Griff.
have you guys being paying attention to the red sox- rays rivalry popping up. the rays are the best team in baseball and the season is half-done. holy shit. i think they may be for real, and i would lavish any pain they can lay on the red sox or the yankees (who may miss the playoffs for the first time in awhile this year).
hinske has a preview up on espn
http://sports.espn.go.com/broadband/video/videopage?videoId=3467265&categoryId=2521705
Re: Baker, the White Jays, and Griff love.
So, this Baker fella is a serious baseball journalist (ie. he doesn't live in his mom's basement and thinks it's acceptable to criticize players for clogging up the bases) and he thinks *ahem* Richard Griffin ... was the best baseball writer in Canada.
This could just be semantics, but the bolded tense of "to be": what's the deal? Has his opinion of Griff changed? Once upon a time, was Dickie a good sports writer? Because that's sort of interesting.
Or, does Baker still maintain that Griffin rules? For real, no hyperbole: how can anyone say that with a straight face?
... I need to hear this podcast.
Seriously, though. What the fuck?
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