A Thread For Starting Pitchers That Are Doing Really Well

Why this thread is so busy:
http://www.highheatstats.com/2013/05/fraction-of-balls-put-in-play-is-at-an-all-time-low/

interesting. i'm more curious about why pitching is getting so much better than what it means for defense.

This article explains a lot:

http://espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/8048897/the-age-pitcher-how-got-here-mlb

I'm not sure if that chart points to the conclusion that pitching's getting better (literally not sure; I don't know). My interpretation is that as defenses get better, hitters have concluded it's better to swing from the heels and go for home runs more deliberately, which drives up both HR and strikeouts, and also drives down balls in play.

I've just skimmed NoTime's link, will read the whole thing later. HR aren't up, though they've (more or less) stabilized beginning in 2007. Maybe pitching is getting better.

the BP podcast guys today touched on how being a 10K+ pitcher drastically heightens your no-hit/PG odds, as you would expect -- and there are a lot of them in that category now.

More explanations (some overlap):

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/mlb/news/20130513/strikeouts-near-no-hitters-chris-sale-matt-harvey-shelby-miller/?sct=hp_t13_a6&eref=sihp

The 1:15 Wednesday afternoon Mets and Reds game, which is a battle of the Mat(t)'s (Latos vs. Harvey) is one that I would love to be able to see if I didn't have to work.

julio teheran: no hits, two walks, nine strikeouts through six (79 pitches)

Base hit at 8 and 2/3.

Sorry, 7 and 2/3.

he's running out of pitches, but matt cain will apparently no-hit the pirates for as long as he lasts

matt harvey, 12 k and no hits through six

87 pitches tho

throw some ground balls

(what am I sayin, Duda and Murphy are on the right side)

heard in the office: 'is matt harvey terry collins' hero?'

lol duda

whatd the hit look like?

Dribbler split the difference between the mound and 1st base, both guys going for it, Heyward outran them.

swinging bunt toward 1b; harvey retrieves it but duda had charged (and not gotten very close) and there was no one left covering first

it was very mets

a moment in which ike's laziness might have paid off, tbh

haha

http://i.imgur.com/Oa4e5Mr.gif

Good job, EVERYONE.

love the ump's pirouette there.

I think Heyward may have beaten it out even if there was someone besides an umpire covering first, but still a crappy way to go.

homer bailey thru 7, on mlb network

so i haven't been watching baseball at all. turn on the Giants game to see the score and they are getting no hit so far today. a new low is about to happen.

haha

xpost

7 pitch inning, thru 8

ahh yes, the team that won 2 titles in the last 3 years is about to hit a new low! (not bitter)

one out left!

strike one, in above the shoulders

bee ok is dead

the gatorade gets dumped on...bronson arroyo!

been ok, no longer ok

holy balls bailey already had a no-hitter?

not only do they get no-hit today but with a Dodger win they will be in last place in the NL West.

oh joy.

were you in a coma the last 3 years?

Brian Kenny is pretty much insufferable, huh?

Brian Kenny ‏@MrBrianKenny 2m
AJ Burnett had no-hitter w/10bb's, 1hbp. History? #brainwashed

Brian Kenny ‏@MrBrianKenny 45m
I blame the mainstream media: Headlines of "12-0!" "No-hitter!" So stuck in the past. Think for yourselves! Stop being sheep!

You're stupid! Think like me for yourself!

I like David Schoenfield's advice: "Where to begin? How about with this: No-hitters never get old and if you hear someone saying there are too many of them these days, just walk away. This person is not your friend."

(Even though there probably are too many of them these days...)

Historically, it seems that there is around 2 to 4 no hitters per year. So as it stands, this season wouldn't have too many.

To be fair, last year is freaky.

lol brian kenny is adorable

"Where were YOU when the AL wOBA leader was dethroned? Watching a replay of Matt Kemp's circus catch (after a bad jump)?" #thinkbaseball

Brian Kenny‏@MrBrianKenny

For accuracy: Lincecum: 5 bases allowed, 148 pitches, 13k's.
Grienke: 3 bases allowed, 110 pitches, 9 k's.
#dontbuzzkillthemessenger

he threw 148 pitches?!

Brian Kenny really does sound like a piece of work...Why aren't there any headlines this morning about Zack Greinke having thrown the 19,753rd Very Well Pitched Game in History?

Detroit guy who does this every few months (through 6).

Phil Coke