Baseball managers sometimes suffer from paralysis by analysis as there are reams of stats available that go well beyond the summary or game data found in the typical Baseball Reference databases. For instance, if you wanted to know how Bryce Harper does in 3-2 counts against a lefty slider in a day game when it’s over 80°F that information would be available if the manager wanted something that obscure. What would be helpful though is pitching and situation charts for your relief pitchers in the most crucial parts of the game.
“Get out of your own way… stop the paralysis by analysis… decide what you want, create a simple plan, and get moving!” —Steve Maraboli
The bullpen management in Nats history has been called into question numerous times as has the “Cult Of The Closer” (h/t Section 222) for sticking with your closer when he doesn’t have it at the most crucial juncture of a game.
Wire Taps: Nationals weekend in review; Dusty Baker talks Matt Will… #Nationals https://t.co/SB3aZ7bNGX pic.twitter.com/pQHvtRMDD2
— Nationals Report (@nats_fanly) November 16, 2015
As we analyze the 4 new hires by Mr. Rizzo, each one you see from statistical analysis has their own strengths and weaknesses that become a pattern although sometimes in small sample sizes. Some managers make decisions on the ‘look and feel’ system, and some do the old school thing with a little ‘look and feel’ and some new age statistical analysis.
Trevor Gott, Oliver Perez, Shawn Kelley, and Yusmeiro Petit are the 4 new relievers joining the Nats. 3 righties and the 1 lefty is Oliver Perez.
- Trevor Gott .214 BA and .547 OPS vs RH batters/.275 BA and .716 OPS vs LH batters; .197 BA home/.275 BA road; from the windup .139/.225/.167/.392 vs from the stretch .259/.357/.407/.765; pitching in consecutive games .289/.353/.400/.753 vs. pitching on a days rest .227/.288/.273/.560
- Oliver Perez .185 BA and .517 OPS vs LH batters/.310 BA and .881 OPS vs RH batters; .271 BA home/.194 BA road which is a reverse split we’ve seen with Arizona pitchers before; from the windup .250/.308/.333/.641 vs from the stretch .303/.398/.500/.898; pitching in consecutive games 6.30 ERA vs. pitching on a days rest 3.65 ERA
- Shawn Kelley .218 BA and .536 OPS vs RH batters/.224 BA and .667 OPS vs LH batters; .189 BA home/.250 BA road; from the windup .213/.229/.319/.548 vs from the stretch .278/.349/.389/.738; pitching in consecutive games .154/.267/.231/.497 vs. pitching on a days rest .210/.235/.242/.477
- Yusmeiro Petit .241 BA and .680 OPS vs RH batters/.276 BA and .828 OPS vs LH batters; .197 BA home/.298 BA road; from the windup .145/.145/.333/.478 vs from the stretch .246/.296/.407/.703
You begin to see patterns on matchups and strengths and weaknesses. You also can combine stats to even more complex analysis to drill down to very unique situations for instance if you wanted to see how Oliver Perez facing a lefty batter with a man on base on the road performs.
Dusty Baker was criticized for years that he didn’t use advanced stats which he said is not true. We will get to see how Dusty uses the stats in just about 100 days when the games count!
We have updated the 40 man roster and projected salaries.
