He's right, Price is having a great year.
But, to me, brilliance would have been garnered from me had he extolled Price's virtues before the draft and overpicked him, not having him fall in his lap and then claim fantasy smarts.
And I wouldn't even bring it up at all if it weren't for his constant self-back slapping. Anyway, he brought me his printed standings and rosters yesterday showing his team in second place. In first place was a team with a pitcher whose stats are eerily similar to Price, yet I am sure, taken much later. Here are their lines-
Price 17 gs-115 ip-100k-12 w's-2.42- 1.20
Other 17 gs-113 ip- 87 k-11w's-2.70- 1.15
Since the other pitcher resides in the same division as Price, it is an absolutely fair comparison. In fact, Andy Pettitte and Price square off against each other today. It should be a great game.
After pointing out that Pettitte has virtually matched Price this year, my buddy has called this, 'the game of the year' for his team.
There are nine pitchers with more wins than Roy Halladay, Price and Pettitte are two of them. It was thought that Halladay would sweep through the NL and garner more victories than most pitchers. Halladay has held up his end, the Phillies haven't held up theirs. Halladay has a 2.19/1.05, yet has more losses than all the pitchers with more wins than him. By the way, when trying to get 'easy' wins from a pitcher next year, consider this, seven of the nine pitchers that have more wins than Halladay come from the AL.
Ubaldo Jimenez, at the top of the heap in wins has been helped by brilliant defense in his starts as well. In his games, there has been zero unearned runs allowed. A good recipe for more wins.
Chad Billingsley is not even averaging six innings per start. Clayton Kershaw, just a little more. With the way Joe Torre manages a bullpen, I give the Dodgers little chance in their division.
Only two pitchers with 100 k's have less than six wins. Zack Greinke has five, Ian Kennedy has four.
Milton Bradley has more home runs than Jason Bay. Jason bay has more rbi that Derek Lee. Derek Lee has more rbi than Nick Markakis. But then again, Scott Podsednik has more rbi than Nick Markakis.
Austin Jackson has one home run. Judy Jackson?
How hard is it to hit .400?
Right now, there are only eight players with an on base percentage over .400
Rickie Weeks is an interesting case. Despite Aubrey Huff having a banner year in the middle of the Giants lineup, Weeks has more rbi than Huff.
This is a misleading stat though. Weeks leads the world in plate appearances and has 64 more plate appearances than Huff.
With those 436 plate appearances, interestingly, Weeks has only grounded into one double play.
Weeks also leads the league being hit by pitch.
He has been hit 17 times.
Many plate appearances doesn't necessarily mean great stats. Ichiro is in the top 10 in plate appearances, but suffers from a bad supporting cast.
Ichiro has 120 hits, 28 bb's, 22 sb's, yet, has scored just 35 runs. Three of those by his own home run.
Small ball is an NL feature, yet eight of the top 10 base stealers are in the AL
Juan Pierre has 103 total bases, 20 players have more hits than that.
Jonathon Niese has not allowed a stolen base this year.
Carlos Silva and Milton Bradley's k/bb ratios are very close.
Silva- 72/19
Bradley- 66/23
Advantage Silva
Of the top 60 rbi guys in baseball, only two have less than 10 home runs.
James Loney ranks 10th despite just six home runs.
Howie Kendrick is down the list with seven home runs.
Nobody is 'on pace' for a 30-30 year. However, a hot week can change 'on pace' very easily.
Here is a look at five players that have hopes for a 30-30 year-
Chris Young 16/17
Carlos Gonzalez 17/13
Alex Rios 15/23
Matt Kemp 16/15
Shane Victorino 15/17
Congrats to King of Queens!!
I know it was a football issue, but to see any NFBC'er in the pages of ESPN the Magazine is a pleasure to see. Way to go, Glenn!
You "Tall, round guy"!
