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General Discussion => Talk Zone => Topic started by: Mr. Happy on July 08, 2012, 06:06:13 pm

Title: Fernando Rodriguez: Behind the Numbers... Or not.
Post by: Mr. Happy on July 08, 2012, 06:06:13 pm
Since the dreadful yet predictable end to that sorry ball game today, I've spent the better part of an hour studying the splits on Fernando Rodriguez, who, although two of you apparently so objected to me calling him the Angel of Doom that you put me on ignore, seems to wear that title very well.  I was going to come in here guns blazing with all sorts of splits, but I've opted not to do that in favor of Sir Winston Churchill's famous line about the USSR at the outbreak of WWII: FeRod is "a riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma."

I like FeRod's stuff. I really do. He's got two plus pitches, when he can get them over the plate (19 walks in 32.2 innings, versus 34 strikeouts). His stranded runners stat is actually pretty good. However, when he comes into tie ballgames, and he's been in ten of those this season, his BAA goes from his regular BAA of .244, which isn't great but isn't terrible either, up over 100 points to .370! However, it's the combination of his hits allowed in tie games, ten in 27 official at-bats, together with his walks allowed, six, to 35 batters faced, that is killing him and not doing any of us any favors either.

My preliminary conclusion is that FeRod suffers from an apparent abject lack of confidence.  It's almost like he's pitching expecting to lose in close games, which has happened a lot, eight times in fact, given his number of appearances, 37, and it's even worse when you consider that he's lost eight times in just ten tie ballgames.  FeRod is now second on the club in losses, eight, which isn't easy to do as a reliever, trailing only J.A. Happ's nine losses. I've said it before, but I'll say it again: until FeRod gets himself to a sports psychologist guru and works out his kinks in the psyche, he shouldn't be put into another close game because he falls apart. The Angel of Doom? Well, the numbers speak for themselves. For me, I'll be very glad to see Wilton Lopez back later this week.
Title: Re: Fernando Rodriguez: Behind the Numbers... Or not.
Post by: Reuben on July 08, 2012, 07:02:07 pm
Good stuff, Mr. Happy. I think I mentioned this in the GZ, but FeRod and Carpenter are very similar to me - both are incredibly frustrating, both throw 94-96, both had some success last year but have sucked this year, due to a combination of wildness, stupidity, and nibbling. Maybe FeRod's curve is better than Carp's slider at this point? Either way, they both look to me like they need time in AAA to get their shit together.
Title: Re: Fernando Rodriguez: Behind the Numbers... Or not.
Post by: Mr. Happy on July 08, 2012, 07:08:22 pm
Good stuff, Mr. Happy. I think I mentioned this in the GZ, but FeRod and Carpenter are very similar to me - both are incredibly frustrating, both throw 94-96, both had some success last year but have sucked this year, due to a combination of wildness, stupidity, and nibbling. Maybe FeRod's curve is better than Carp's slider at this point? Either way, they both look to me like they need time in AAA to get their shit together.

You did indeed, and I think that the rwo are comparable. I suspect, but don't have the stats on this to back it up, that Carpenter's runners stranded numbers are much worse than FeRod's, although I may well just not be remembering it accurately. It wouldn't be the first time.
Title: Fernando Rodriguez: Behind the Numbers... Or not.
Post by: geezerdonk on July 09, 2012, 11:07:54 am
Angel of Doom is excessively complimentary.
Title: Re: Fernando Rodriguez: Behind the Numbers... Or not.
Post by: Mr. Happy on July 09, 2012, 12:01:53 pm
Angel of Doom is excessively complimentary.

I don't know if even I'd go that far...Besides, Angel of Doom has a nice beat and you can dance to it.
Title: Re: Fernando Rodriguez: Behind the Numbers... Or not.
Post by: Ron Brand on July 09, 2012, 12:05:42 pm
It always makes me think of Battlestar Galactica. "You are the harbinger of death, Kara Thrace."
Title: Re: Fernando Rodriguez: Behind the Numbers... Or not.
Post by: JackAstro on July 09, 2012, 12:21:13 pm
So... he needs to trust his stuff.
Title: Re: Fernando Rodriguez: Behind the Numbers... Or not.
Post by: Reuben on July 09, 2012, 12:36:59 pm
It always makes me think of Battlestar Galactica. "You are the harbinger of death, Kara Thrace."
Well, that's as good an excuse as any to link to this (http://www.collegehumor.com/video/6671253/jake-and-amir-break).
Title: Re: Fernando Rodriguez: Behind the Numbers... Or not.
Post by: EasTexAstro on July 09, 2012, 01:08:34 pm
Well, that's as good an excuse as any to link to this (http://www.collegehumor.com/video/6671253/jake-and-amir-break).

For some reason, that made me think of Alkie. Was that him?