A Walk In The Park Is Nice…To A Point
Crumpet and Lobo love walks. Unfortunately, so do opposing batters and my dogs only wish they could get walked at the rate A’s pitchers are offering. It’s been an issue all season and not only does it continue to be a major barrier to success, it is a widespread phenomenon across all types and levels of pitchers.
Last night the A’s issued 8 more free passes, 5 from starter JT Ginn in just 4. 1 IP. Today’s starting pitcher, Jacob Lopez, is trying to bring down a walk rate that started at over a batter an inning and currently sits at 21 BB in 24.
1 IP. “Ace” Luis Severino has put together two excellent starts in a row, but has still walked 23 in his 38. 1 IP for the season.
Team wide, strangely the A’s have issued the 3rd most walks in all of MLB yet also only the 3rd most walks in the division. More generous than A’s pitchers are only those who toil for the Angels and Astros. But for contrast, the A’s have now walked 147 batters in 32 games (4.
6 per game) while despite playing one more game the Mariners staff has walked only 82 (2. 48 per game). What is typical this season, with the ABS challenge system shrinking the strike zone a bit as umpires can’t “Verlander” the opposing hitters?
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