.
How about some high-quality photos for you? Phone snaps taken off a TV. Nothing but the best for you, the cherished SSI denizen. Here is a ball-strike count to savor:
... the Rangers had the idea to "get Felix early in the count." That's what The Edgar said, when somebody asked him whether he could take on Randy Johnson. You definitely have to try to stay away from those 2-strike counts.
So Felix just threw everything EXCEPT his change, the first time through the lineup, and he garroted the Rangers through 3 innings with 20-some pitches.
.
Wow! I got a 2-0 count!, Dept.
You ever imagine yourself on the mound? Runners on base, tie game ... the count is 3-and-1. Shin-Soo Choo up:
- Throw a fastball, he's waiting for it, and goes upper deck.
- Throw anything else, he's not swinging. You'll probably miss and it's a walk.
Ever imagine that? Dr. D is always fascinated to see what a pitcher throws when he is in deeeeeep, deep trouble and there are 3 balls* on the batter.
So Felix missed with two changeups, and what does he do now?
.... Felix flipped a changeup in there, got all kinds of the plate to make sure it was a strike ... and Choo put a garbage swing on it. LOL.
:: scratches head :: people can guess curve, get curve, and they still can't cover it. Fastball on the black? Dry spitter that does an "L" as you swing? So what if you do guess right?
And it occurred to us: Felix can throw ANYTHING when he's behind 2-and-0. Must be a nice feeling!
.
Insult to Injury, Dept.
Did Choo get a fastball the next pitch? :- )
Felix cracked off a vicious yellow hammer, and Choo froze:
.
Breaking News
Several times on Friday, Felix did something that we hadn't noticed him do: He threw his "dry spitter" up and in, on the hands, for a jam pitch.
What an idea! If the hitter leans back and tries to pull it ... the ball drops below the skinny little handle of his bat.
.... This pitch right here, and a "ladder fastball" at the letters, if I'm Felix I thoroughly enjoy embarrassing people with them. But he's doing okay with his own game.
.
Needs to Go to a Higher League
As Blowers pointed out on TV, Felix is wayyyyyy ahead of his Cy Young season in 2010 ...
| Season |
K |
BB |
HR |
ERA |
xFIP and W-L |
| 2010 |
8.4 |
2.5 |
0.7 |
2.27 |
3.04 and 13-12 |
| 2014 |
9.5 |
1.6 |
0.2 |
2.29 |
1.96 (!) and 20-5 |
... and that's despite the 4-game patch when he was sick and underweight.
.......
Felix does seem like a better pitcher to me, even than he was in 2009-12, even a little better than last year. Dr. D's opinion as to what he has improved:
- More consistent command (fewer mistakes) -- from "70-75" on the 20-80 scale, to absolute "80" now
- More pitchability (from "70" to absolute "80" now)
- He's throwing harder, too
The ballclub is frustrating, yeah. But it's worth investing in. ... you suppose we are making offers for Hammel, or the Shark? :- )
Be Afraid,
Dr D