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FanGraphs | Jeff Sullivan: Out of 100 Ryan Pressly sliders, 32 have been swinging strikes. It’s the most effective pitch in baseball, and it got better because he’s now locating it, dotting it on the lower corner. He’s kind of flown under the radar despite how good he’s been, but I imagine that changes after facing the Red Sox
Baseball Prospectus | Russell A. Carleton ($): Here’s an interesting “skill” by catchers: if they keep a pitcher in their rhythm (by keeping pitcher latency consistent), then it results in a lower expected OBP. It’s just another way that “game calling” actually can be assigned a run value.
The Athletic | Eno Sarris ($): A few things to watch in the upcoming ALCS: the velocity of Joe Kelly; the number of of well-hit balls from Boston; and, the number of sheer strikeouts from the Astros rotation.
The Ringer | Michael Baumann: If the Brewers have a chance at beating the Dodgers (seems like they’re off to a good start), then their bullpen will have to perform, just like it has; Corey Knebel, Jeremy Jeffress, and Josh Hader have been some of the best in baseball.