I don't like Varitek. I am not at the same level of hatred as DP on him, but I don't like him, and I don't think he is good. Still....after reading into some stats it is hard to ignore that Beckett needs Varitek on the field.
Beckett is 14-2 with a 2.52 ERA when Varitek is his catcher. When someone else catches him, Beckett is 0-2 with an 11.25 ERA. The Boston Herald went in even deeper and looked at each game that Beckett has played without Tek behind the plate.
April 30: Rays 13, Red Sox 0
With George Kottaras catching, Beckett allows 10 hits and seven runs in 4.2 innings.
June 14: Phillies 11, Red Sox 6
With a day game following a brutally long night game, Varitek gets a day off in favor of Kottaras. Beckett allows seven runs (6 earned) in six innings and takes the loss.
Aug. 18: Red Sox 10, Blue Jays 9
Beckett admitted he had nothing last night and the Jays teed off on him for three home runs and the seven runs.
For those keeping track, that’s 16 IP and 30 hits allowed, including five home runs. In 146.1 innings with Varitek, Beckett has allowed just 10 homers.
Some pitchers are really a creature of habit. I don't think this speaks ill of V-Mart's catching ability, but when you are in a middle of a season and in a groove you should ride what is working. What is working is Tek catching Beckett. Maybe he can just be his catcher like Mirabelli was for the Wake...
No comments:
Post a Comment