RESEARCH: Controlling the running game
Feb 2 2017
Jon Lester struggles to control the running game. Horribly. In 2015, He allowed a league-leading 44 stolen bases. Besides topping the 2015 list, he had the highest total of stolen bases allowed since 2002, which is as far back as we have pitcher stolen base data. The top mark lasted just one season, as Noah Syndergaard allowed 48 stolen bases in 2016. Fantasy owners could expect these pitchers, who freely allow base runners to advance, to post higher than expected ERAs. They kind of do—but just barely.
It’s not even Jon Lester who got me thinking of pitchers who can’t control the running. That designation goes to Matt Andriese. In just 129 IP last season, he led the league in balks (4), was 15th in stolen bases allowed (16), and his...
Almost!
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