Am getting ready to hit the hay in anticipation of running 26.2 miles in a washing machine tomorrow, but wanted to weigh in on Curt Schilling’s outing yesterday.
If anybody wanted to see how Schilling’s attempt at morphing into a 40-something starter, just take a look at yesterday’s outing. Sure, it was easy to see he is throwing more change-ups and off-speed stuff, but what jumps out to me is the result of the approach.
Here are some of the conclusions I came to, which are displayed in my latest piece of shameless cross-promotion, Schilling was the man with the plan.
- He threw 103 pitches (his most this season), but averaged just 3.55 pitches per at-bat. Through his first three starts last season he averaged 4.23. There, my friends, is the first sign of pitch efficiency. Actually, he didn’t throw under 100 pitches last season until June 10.
- He is actually getting more swings and misses, averaging 8.16 per game this season compared to the first three starts of ’06 (6.9) and ’04 (5.58). Part of the reason for this is that he is able to set up hitters more effectively and getting the swing and miss when it counts the most. For example, all four of his strikeouts Saturday came on swings and misses, and 12 of his 15 K’s this year have been of the same variety.
- Because he is willing to throw his change-up now in any count, it allows for a much more effective fastball. The 11-pitch Jose Molina at-bat was a perfect example, with Schilling finishing off the catcher with a 93 mph heater. The offspeed stuff might have also led to fewer first-pitch swings from the usually free-swinging Angels, who chose to not swing at the initial pitch in 15 of their first 18 at-bats.
Got to go (that sleep thing is kind of important the night before the marathon), but will be back tomorrow night. I’m sorry I haven’t got to some of the questions, such as where is the Dayton Moore interview (to come shortly), or Devern Hansack (they want to see a bit more, but I have a feeling he will be making his presence felt in Boston before Sept.), or Jonathan Papelbon’s role (warning for you fantasy baseball players, Papelbon could be getting a few more holds than you would like). I will eventually get back in full question and answer mode.
Look for me on the course Monday … I’m the one the Kenyans are using as a shield against the rain and wind.
