This is an except from a newsletter I receive. I know these are "snapshot" stats but these numbers are incredible. CINCINNATI -- Reds closer Aroldis Chapman turned in one of the most dominant seasons by a relief pitcher in Major League history in 2014. Chapman set new Major League records in strikeouts per nine innings (17.67), strikeouts-to-hits ratio (5.05-to-1), and highest percentage of batters struck out (52.4 percent). He also shattered the record for most consecutive relief appearances with a strikeout (39 by Bruce Sutter), establishing the new mark of 49 straight from Aug. 21, 2013-Aug. 13, 2014. Chapman also became the first pitcher since the PitchF/x tracking system was installed in 2006 to finish the season with an average fastball velocity of more than 100 mph (100.3). The fastest pitch Chapman recorded this season was a 104.53 mph fastball to the D-backs' Paul Goldschmidt on July 28.
The smart team beat the dumb team. That was expected. Consider Mattingly benching Puig in favor of Andre Ethier... Ethier gets no hits, but does manage to get picked off third base...with the pitcher blowing up and the batter ahead on the count... Late in the game, Mattingly puts Puig in the game as a pinch runner! He's statistically the WORST base runner in either league and you put him in as a pinch runner? He leaves Kershaw in too long AGAIN! The guy is tossing a one-hitter, he's pitching on short rest; Dan Haren is already warmed up in the bullpen so he leaves him in there too long...again. I could go on and on about the stupidity here, but it would only be venting. Congratz to the Cards and sorry that we couldn't make a better showing.
Congratz to the Cards and sorry that we couldn't make a better showing. Thanks coach...tip of the hat to ya!
Interesting stat...Card's lefty hitters faced lefty pitchers something like 555 times during the season and hit 8 hr's. Hit 5 in the 4 games with the Dodgers.