Playoff Notes: Holliday, Pedro, Scully
By Howard Megdal ~ October 9th, 2009. Filed under: Howard Megdal.
Good to see Matt Holliday embracing the spirit of the 2009 Mets in yesterday’s game against the Dodgers. Of course, you had to feel for him- he also did homer in the game, and Ryan Franklin subsequently melted down completely, instead of bailing out Holliday.
Still, this will reinforce the commonly-held perception that Holliday is a poor defender. This is not backed up by UZR, however- Holliday was at 3.2 runs above average per 150 games in 2009, 10.9 in 2009, 14.7 in 2007. Only one season-2006-has Holliday been below average.
As for Pedro Martinez, the likely Game 3 starter for the Phillies, I’m betting fans in Philadelphia would trade that 130-pitch outing he had against the Mets in September for some performance since. Since that September 13 brilliance, Pedro has managed seven innings, total, with a 7.71 ERA. Prior to that performance, he’d thrown 29 innings at 3.64 ERA, including an absurd 27/4 K/BB ratio.
In other words, since those 130 pitches, he’s thrown a total of 150 pitches in about a month.
But with Joe Blanton used in relief, and J.A. Happ injured, Pedro is likely Philadelphia’s best bet for a Game 3 that looms awfully large now in a 1-1 series.
It’s just way too easy to claim that pitchers should be tougher. Usage matters. And when Pedro was asked to go far longer in a game than he had since 2001, it was awfully irresponsible. Looks like it may come back to harm the Phillies.
Finally, I had the pleasure of listening to Vin Scully call the end of that terrific Dodgers-Cardinals game. I am one of many who will be greatly saddened whenever Scully decides to end his unparalleled career. I watched him call the Dodgers-Rockies on the final Saturday night of the regular season as well, knowing it could be his final call of a division title.
Make it your business to hear him as much as you can while he still gives us the privilege of listening to his thoughts and unequaled preparation for a baseball game.
October 9th, 2009 at 1:03 pm
“Still, this will reinforce the commonly-held perception that Holliday is a poor defender. ”
I don’t think this is a commonly held perception. Holliday is recognized by almost ever defensive metric (even the crappy ones) as at least a solid, above average outfielder. He got caught on a knuckle ball line drive at the worst possible moment, it happens.
October 9th, 2009 at 1:54 pm
Ryan,
I have to agree with you. Once I saw that play last night I knew this was going to start that’s he’s a bad defender. He made an error when he change glove positions. He should have made that play but I can understand the error because line drives hit straight at you can be challenging. Of all the plays in the OF, this is probably the hardest one to make.
October 9th, 2009 at 2:12 pm
Ryan,
I think it’s a commonly held perception in the MSM and for those who aren’t familiar with UZR, +/- and the other defensive statistics.
October 9th, 2009 at 2:25 pm
I have to admit, when I saw his UZR yesterday, I was shocked. I looked it up right after the error. Holliday may have suffered the bad perception because of playing the spacious Colorado OF.
I didn’t think of him as a clunker, but not as someone who would have the type of defensive metrics which Howard pointed out.
If you could play Colorado you should be able to play Citi Field. The question is would Holliday, assuming money is the same somewhere else, choose the Wall of Citi Field to hit?