How to Watch Games Like a Geek

Joe Sokolowski at Mets Geek gives us all an example of how using stats helps him minimize the frustration of watching the Mets play baseball on TV.

I'm not sure what an admitted sabermetrician is doing actually watching games I don't know, but it's a good read.

Though I'm still going to sit there and throw things and scream for every Ranger to be DFA'd when he strikes out. . .

almost 3 years ago philkid3 8 comments 0 recs |

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The author of that article talks a lot about some pitch sequencing data from Josh Kalk that can be found here:

http://www.hardballtimes.com/main/article/pitch-sequencing/

To read the table below, find the last pitch thrown on the top, and and then go down to the row of the next pitch thrown. The number represents change in expected runs per 100 pitches thrown, negative being good for the pitcher.

What’s interesting to me is seeing that some pitch combinations are really deadly, but once you use them, your options for the next pitch can be a bit limited.

Beyond the Boxscore // Calling BJ Upton lazy is lazy.

by Sky Kalkman on May 13, 2009 7:56 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs

Nice table Sky

I should have thought of doing that in my article.

Philkid, when I’m not working with the powerful MSPaint photo editor, I’m actually watching games, weird I know, but I would not call myself a sabermetrician, I leave that lofty title for the writers of this site.

by Sokojoe on May 13, 2009 9:47 AM EDT up reply actions

Um.

I just now made the connection that you’re Mets Geek. Like, right now.

. . .

And That Happened: Sports with a Hint of Sarcasm

by philkid3 on May 13, 2009 3:18 PM EDT up reply actions

Just a contributor

Thanks for the link.

by Sokojoe on May 13, 2009 3:51 PM EDT up reply actions

I dunno

If you go 4-seamer, splitter, rinse and repeat, you’ll be in seriously good shape.

Well until the batters realized the pattern.

by Dan Turkenkopf on May 13, 2009 8:15 PM EDT up reply actions

There's got to be significant selective sampling here.

One, only pitchers with good splitters ever throw it.

Two, splitters tend only to be thrown with two strikes, right? That’s when a hitter is trying to protect the plate. I bet (and it’s worth testing out) that splitters in other counts are less effective.

Beyond the Boxscore // Calling BJ Upton lazy is lazy.

by Sky Kalkman on May 13, 2009 8:41 PM EDT up reply actions