The Boston Red Sox seem familiar with the unfamiliar. There is a misconception, or a very real reality, that teams can struggle with pitchers who they have never faced before. And it seems to ring true when delving into the subjective.
Try and remember a time this season when the Red Sox have been shut down by a pitcher that they’ve never faced before. You found one didn’t you? Frustrating, isn’t it? A pitcher, such as Koji Uehara or Jordan Zimmermann. It isn’t like these guys don’t belong in the big leagues. It’s just that we feel that “our” experienced lineup should have their way with that of the inexperienced.
But that doesn’t always happen.
However, collectively it has. And to prove my point, there are going to be numbers strewn upon your mind to do just that.
Get this, the Red Sox against starters that they have never “seen” before:
A 6.58 ERA for those starters. Which is well, well higher than the league average. Great success, for Red Sox bats.
97 K
53 BB.
Those are astounding. The Red Sox are simply tearing it up against a crew of mostly youngsters and inexperienced pitchers.
Sure, there are exceptions.
Kenshin Kawakami utilized his great curve ball and gave up only two earned in six strong innings to get the win.
Jordan Zimmermann, as mentioned, pitched seven strong, giving up only one earned run and striking out six.
Anthony Swarzak threw a quality start, allowing only three earned in six solid innings.
Etc.
Generally there are some exceptions. But the headline that ran today on TBS made it seem like the Red Sox have been struggling against young pitchers whom they have not seen before. They showed the games that the Red Sox have had a difficult time scoring runs in, not the games that the Red Sox have had an easy time crossing the plate.
So if it is a misconception, I hope I have shown everyone the truth. Because at least this season, the Red Sox have mashed against pitchers they’ve yet to see.
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I think this is a “man bites dog” sort of phenomenon: every time an inexperienced pitcher does well against a powerful team, it sticks out in your memory because it’s unexpected. I bet there was a ton of such talk in NYC a couple weeks ago when the Yankees lost two of three to the Nationals.
The Yankees a few days ago had a 4.57 ERA against pitchers they had never seen. So they were doing worse, but still solid I imagine. I don’t have any “league-average” in this department. I just calculated the two teams and wrote blogs about them.
Thanks, Joe, for the truer picture. Gotta admit, though, that Zimmerman and Hanson have looked well above average. There is little chance they will be traded, so they won’t come to Boston, but with the Sox rotation and pen, that’s OK.
Gerry,
The “truer picture” took some time to figure out though :)
Very frustrating indeed, Joe.
We have to give credit to the opposing pitchers, I know. But, man, I miss the feeling of scoring some runs. I just want to see a Red Sox rally soon :)
I don’t know about you, but I think Zimmermann has great stuff. I saw his previous start also, and his fastball has a ton of movement to compliment strong velocity. He definitely belongs in the big leagues.