Seasons as a Yankee:
What’s interesting about Sabathia is that he’s posting the 2nd-best K rate (8.82 K/9) and K/BB ratio (4.37) of his career — not the signs of a pitcher who’s fading. His peripherals are outstanding, so all of this talk that he isn’t a top pitcher is a bit ridiculous. In fact, his xFIP of 3.26 is his 2nd-best mark as a Yankee, and also 4th-best in the American League (FYI – Kuroda’s FIP/xFIP is 3.88/3.73).
However, it’s clear that for whatever reason, the home runs this season are way out of context with what’s he’s done in his Yankee and overall career. And they’ve been coming in bunches lately; so much so that Girardi went head-to-head with reporters in Saturday’s postgame after being repeatedly asked about Sabathia’s health — a game that CC gave up 3 ding-dongs (not the ones he keeps in his locker – he doesn’t give those up).
Since July 17th, his return from his first trip to the DL, Sabathia has posted the following numbers:
62.1 IP, 3.75 ERA, 61 K, 9 BB, 8.84 K/9, 6.78 K/BB, 11 HR, 1.59 HR/9
The K and BB rates are still awesome — again, not the indication that a pitcher is losing it. It all comes down to the home run ball. Over a full season, a 1.59 HR/9 would be 4th-worst in the AL. If he can get that under control, he’ll be the big brown bear we all know and love.
23 Comments
Counter Point September 9, 2012 21:57
This is why xFIP sucks. CC isn’t getting unlucky by giving up an assload of home runs and it isn’t something that corrects itself over time. When someone hits a home run they hit the ball really hard. When Lew Ford is hitting a ball 370 feet off of CC I’m not thinking “that’s going to regress over time” I’m thinking “why did he throw a 91 mph fastball right over the middle of the plate?”.
Lew Ford September 9, 2012 22:31
Check the gun again. It wasn’t a 91 mph pitch.
Real Talk September 9, 2012 22:43
Ahh this is the same dumb ass stats NOMAaS showed to prove everything ok with Ivan Nova. How that work out?
What we have is a severally obese man. We have a career high in HRs hit by the likes of Casper Wells, Lew Ford, Kurt Suzuki, Yunel Escobar, & Ramon Santiago!
That tells me that the stuff is slightly softer than usual. He has been DL’d twice this year & both were not that inevitable back injury coming from carrying at least a 100 extra pounds.
I’m thinking from here on out he is only good for 28 starts a year.
He is getting paid like an ace but it reality he is just a very solid number 2.
You got a must win game and you’re handing the ball to CC. I’m not sleeping well the night before.
Boner Jams September 10, 2012 00:33
CC needs a walrus mustache.
Counter Point September 10, 2012 04:13
Also I love the title of this article. “CC would be having a dominant year IF ONLY he wasn’t giving up 2 home runs every game.” lol
Phil "Monster Jaws" Hughes September 10, 2012 15:15
If only I had Verlander’s curveball.
Phil "Monster Jaws" Hughes September 10, 2012 15:16
And fastball.
Phil "Monster Jaws" Hughes September 10, 2012 15:16
And Kate Upton’s phone number.
Phil "Monster Jaws" Hughes September 10, 2012 16:51
and Petco PArk
Phil "Monster Jaws" Hughes September 10, 2012 17:23
I CONCUR!
Brian S. September 14, 2012 15:26
I concur.
Jim Leyritz's Cellmate September 10, 2012 06:04
Litmus test: How confident are you when CC takes the mound each fifth day? Maybe (hopefully) it changes, but right now, not very.
Mike Francesa's Accent September 10, 2012 11:39
Remembah when I broke charactah an’ said that CC isn’t a true ace anymore when compared to othah numah one startahs in the American League? I shoah (sure) do, because you guys tried tah Sandusky my sphinctah.
How’s dat statement lookin’ now? Still like our chances with CC in a one-game playoff against Verlandah, Price or Weavah? Or even Yu Dahvish fah that mattah?
Fuckin’ idiots. An’ by the way, this is oneo f the stupidest, empty-stat-driven posts you dimwits have evah posted.
Here’s Mink, you asswipes.
Phil "Monster Jaws" Hughes September 10, 2012 15:23
Oh, you mean Jered Weaver with the 4.24 ERA since the All-Star break and 6.14 ERA in the last 5 games? Shit Verlander has over a 5 ERA in his last 5 games.
There’s probably some asswipe on a Tigers blog or Angels blog saying the same crap about them comparing them to David Price.
Mike Francesa's Accent September 10, 2012 15:54
If yuo’d rathah have CC than eithah Verlandah or Weavah then you’re biz-ah. Ya just awd.
Phil "Monster Jaws" Hughes September 10, 2012 17:08
Yoawww (you’re) a kid toucha.
Verlander has an ERA of 5.57 in the playoffs. Not saying he isn’t an ace. Just that your definition of ace is based on false ideals of these guys.
Give me CC over Weaver.
NoMaas Stat Geek September 12, 2012 10:28
I dont understand the stas in your post. What is ERA stand for? What is his REAL numbers, like FIP, xFIP and BABIP?
Hawk Harrelson September 10, 2012 12:58
STRECTH! STRECTH!
Brandon September 10, 2012 13:15
His fastball velocity and location have declined this year. This is a serious concern and the reason why he gives up a lot of hard hits and HRs. His changeup and slider are still very crisp, probably more than ever.
Jose Quintana September 10, 2012 23:03
After tonight’s performance I have a better ERA than CC Sabathia. No really.
Brian S. September 11, 2012 15:15
Cashman knows pitching!
Commoner sense September 12, 2012 23:37
CCs location has been awful all year. Too many pitches over the middle of the plate. Rather than talk about FIP, maybe a chart showing where his pitches cross the plate this year vs. previous years would be more telling. Belt high is not the place to pitch… unless your name is Farnsworth.
Jerry "too many "Meals September 15, 2012 13:36
All those homers the Rays hit really killed him, oh man. Fat fuck.