2-out, pitch well?

A few weeks ago, I listened to a podcast show. It’s one of my favorite podcast shows. In the show, a guest indicated that a pitcher, who had a great 2022 season, but by far this season, gave up too many hits after two outs.

A bad trade? Maybe not

A couple of months ago, I was exploring an online sports card shop, and I found something interesting. A card shop was celebrating its anniversary and there were some lucky bags available. I decided to buy some lucky bags and after waiting for a couple of weeks, I finally got the products.

An OPS of .800, not easy?

A few days ago, I was watching a baseball game on TV. An analyst indicated that a player hit well so far this season. In particular, the analyst mentioned that the batter has an OPS over .800. If a batter has an OPS over .800, it’s truly a good thing for a team because it somehow shows a player can get on base and hit.

Swing and miss?

A few weeks ago, a friend shared a photo in a chat group and the information of that photo was about a player’s great performance. What impressed me was that the player didn’t have any swings and misses during a certain period of time. While looking at the post, I’m thinking which batters continuously make contact and it’s hard to see them swing and miss.

Great cutter throwers

A few days ago, I listened to a podcast show. In the show, the host demonstrated that a pitcher’s cutter is effective this season and opponents just have trouble hitting his cutter. After listening to the show, I’m just wondering which pitchers’ cutter is the most difficult to hit this season.

In the same division

In 2019, Cody Bellinger received 362 vote points in the NL MVP voting and Christian Yelich got 317 vote points. These 2 players each had a great season. Bellinger slashed .305/.406/.629 with 47 home runs, 115 RBI and 15 stolen bases. At the same time, Yelich hit .329/.429/.671 with 44 HRs, 97 RBI and 30 stolen bases. However, after the 2019 season, these 2 players have never finished a season with 20+ home runs. In December 2022, Cody Bellinger signed a one-year contract with the Chicago Cubs. So, Bellinger and Yelich are now in the same division.

Ground balls, good?

There are several rule changes this season. A key change is to limit infield shifts, which is expected to increase more hits. By far this season, who actually benefits from this rule change? In particular, which batters do collect more hits by hitting balls on the ground?

Moonshots?

A couple of days ago, I watched a baseball game on TV. An All-Star was at bat, he saw a fastball and was ready to swing. Boom, the ball was hit hard and just kept flying. It was a home run, and the projected distance of that home run was over 450 ft. While watching this batter destroy the ball, I’m just wondering which batters have crushed many home runs that went really far.

Go deep in the finale of the World Series?

A couple of weeks ago, I was watching some highlights. In a highlight, a pitcher was on the mound, he used to make a start in the final game of the World Series a few years ago, but many fans might not clearly remember. Well, the main reason that many people might not remember his performance in that game of the World Series is probably that he didn’t toss too many innings in the game. After watching the video, I was thinking about a question.

HR/SO

At the beginning of the 2023 season, I chatted with some friends while I was watching a baseball game. During the game, a player was struck out 3 times. It seemed that he had no ideas in that game. However, the next day, he crushed a home run and helped the team win the game. Then, a friend texted in a chat group and indicated that the player is “collecting strikeouts for a home run.”

Curveball not working?

A few days ago, I was watching a game on TV. On the mound, a pitcher, who pitched well in 2022, threw a curveball in the first inning. However, that curveball was hanging and the batter just crushed it. Boom, the ball was gone and it was a home run. After watching the game, I was just thinking about a question.

Rookie of the year award will go to?

It’s been more than 2 months since the 2023 regular season began. By far this season, there are several rookie players who have been playing very well. And, it’s worth watching whether some of these players will be selected to the All-Star game. Additionally, will some of these players eventually win the 2023 Rookie of the Year award?

May the force be with you

We are now in June. It’s been 2 months since the 2023 season began. Last month, several players had a tremendous month. And, there are some players that we have to take a closer look at.