Patient Pedroia

Here is a quick look at Dustin Pedroia's patience at the plate in comparison to Vladimir Guerrero. Take a look at the two heat map sequences that display "swing rate" based on count. It goes without saying, Vlad is a free swinger.

Vladimir Guerrero

Vladimir Guerrero Swing Rate Based on Count (2009 Reg Season - June 16, 2011)

Dustin Pedroia

Dustin Pedroia Swing Rate Based on Count (2009 Reg Season - June 16, 2011)

5 Facts with Josh Beckett

Josh Beckett has had an impressive start to the 2011 season and his curveball has been a big factor.

1. In 2011 opponents are hitting .188 versus Beckett (326 plate appearances). That's 21st overall across all MLB active pitchers. Jonny Venters (ATL) is leading the league as his opponents hit only .137 (142 plate appearances).

2. Beckett has the 7th highest strike out rate  (28.4%) when there are runners in scoring position (sample size 67 plate appearances). David Robertson of the New York Yankees is number one in the league with a 40.7% strike out rate (sample size 59 plate appearances).

3. In 2010 Josh Beckett had a homerun rate of 3.9% (HR/AB). So far in 2011 Josh Beckett's homerun rate is down to 1.4%. 

4. In 2010 Josh Beckett had 37 called third strikes. In 2011 he already has 23 called third strikes. 

5. During the 2010 season 22% of Josh Beckett's called third strikes were curveballs. In 2011 the curveball is responsible for 35% of Beckett's called third strikes.

David Ortiz Versus Lefties

Today Sean McAdam posted an interesting article on CSNNE.com regarding David Ortiz and his success versus LHPs. Here is an excerpt:

The three homers off lefties represent one more than Ortiz hit all of last season against lefthanded pitchers. He's done more damage against lefties in 55 at-bats this season than he did in 185 at-bats through the entire 2010 season.

"I guess everybody was questioning me hitting against lefties,'' said Ortiz. "I've said before, most of the time when you struggle against lefties, you're getting yourself out. You're chasing (pitches) out of the strike zone. That's pretty much what they try to make you do -- chase out of the strike zone. When you force them to stay in the strike zone, you've got to take advantage of it.''

It's a great read so we thought we would follow up with some graphics that help visualize David's success.

A comparison of David Ortiz and his In Play SLG versus lefties during the first half of the 2010 season (left image) as well as his In Play SLG vs. lefties so far in the 2011 season (right).You can follow Sean McAdam on Twitter @Sean_McAdam.