Wednesday, September 17, 2003
COWBOY UP
The media has pronounced that the Derek Lowe of 2002 is back. Here are the numbers per 9:
last 7 / 2002 / Avg
BB 3.59 / 1.97 / 3.16
SO 4.99 / 5.21 / 6.13
HR 0.20 / 0.49 / 1.12
BABIP.248 / .231 /.290
Other than the walk rate, we have seen the Derek Lowe of 2002 over the last seven starts. The numbers are comparable as well as the level of competition. The Sox defense and luck (groundballs finding glove and not holes) has also aided Lowe. BA BIP dropped to 248 over the last seven games with a league average of 290 and the Sox at 300.
My concern is the increase in his walk rate, 3.2 over 9, this season over last for a pitcher that does not strikeout hitters. Strikeout pitchers can get out of jams by not allowing the hitter to put the ball in play. The runners can not advance to any base and score in most scenarios. Batters hit most of Derek Lowe’s pitches allowing runners more ways to advance around the diamond. The extra free pass/additional runner per nine will cause more potential jams and runs being scored with Lowe pitching over the long haul.
Lowe could again be the second Ace with a decrease in his walk rate. If not, hopefully, the defense can continue to be more efficient over the next month, so that Lowe’s starts can continue to be productive.
The media has pronounced that the Derek Lowe of 2002 is back. Here are the numbers per 9:
last 7 / 2002 / Avg
BB 3.59 / 1.97 / 3.16
SO 4.99 / 5.21 / 6.13
HR 0.20 / 0.49 / 1.12
BABIP.248 / .231 /.290
Other than the walk rate, we have seen the Derek Lowe of 2002 over the last seven starts. The numbers are comparable as well as the level of competition. The Sox defense and luck (groundballs finding glove and not holes) has also aided Lowe. BA BIP dropped to 248 over the last seven games with a league average of 290 and the Sox at 300.
My concern is the increase in his walk rate, 3.2 over 9, this season over last for a pitcher that does not strikeout hitters. Strikeout pitchers can get out of jams by not allowing the hitter to put the ball in play. The runners can not advance to any base and score in most scenarios. Batters hit most of Derek Lowe’s pitches allowing runners more ways to advance around the diamond. The extra free pass/additional runner per nine will cause more potential jams and runs being scored with Lowe pitching over the long haul.
Lowe could again be the second Ace with a decrease in his walk rate. If not, hopefully, the defense can continue to be more efficient over the next month, so that Lowe’s starts can continue to be productive.
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