Latest news with #RISP
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Mets' sloppiness, RISP struggles to blame for unsatisfying series split with Dodgers: 'We gave that one away'
The lasting images from the Mets' vexing 6-5 road loss to the Dodgers on Thursday afternoon were snapped during an eighth inning that unraveled. Moments before the reigning champions scored the go-ahead run on a two-out single from who but Michael Conforto, the tying run crossed the plate on an ill-timed double-clutch grab and errant throw home from Brett Baty. But the Dodgers' three-run rally wouldn't have been possible if the Mets made the most of some prime scoring opportunities before the late-inning meltdown. Despite smacking three home runs, which helped them climb to an early 4-0 lead that briefly seemed comfortable, New York once again struggled to break a game open. They finished 2-for-10 with runners in scoring position, and left 13 runners on base. Advertisement Of the 13 baserunners, 10 were standed through the first six innings. Perhaps the Mets' frustrations boiled over in the sixth, when a one-out rally with two in scoring position was squandeed by a Jeff McNeil strikeout that stunningly turned into a double play with Starling Marte tagged out at third, leaning too far off the bag. The Mets looked poised to take three of four games at Chavez Ravine and send a clear message to the Dodgers. They were just five outs away from making another statement. Instead, they were forced to settle for an unsatisfying split due to mental miscues and recurring RISP woes. "We felt like we gave that one away. We were sloppy today. We didn't play well, and it cost us there," Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said after the loss. "Those two games that we lost, we could've won. They did some good things too, but they made some mistakes. That's a good team. And when you're giving extra bases, extra outs, they're going to make you pay." While the Mets haven't lacked offense this season -- they entered Thursday ranked 11th in MLB in total runs and seventh in on-base percentage -- their inability to capitalize with traffic on the basepaths has been a hindrance. The four-game set in Los Angeles didn't show the big picture, as they overall hit a solid 11-for-36 (.305) with RISP, but their season average now sits at .220. The mark ranks bottom-five in the league. Advertisement "We had a couple of chances to add on, and we couldn't cash in," Mendoza said. "When you continue to give those guys a chance and give them an opportunity to come back, they're going to make you pay... Early on, we had two chances -- bases loaded, one out and second and third, one out -- and we didn't get any runs there... I just felt like it was a game that got away from us." Of course, the Mets can find solace in how they stacked up with the Dodgers in seven games this season, and pose a legitimate threat in a competitive National League. Perhaps there's no better time to solve the RISP problem than this weekend, as the Mets are slated to face the lowly Rockies at a very hitter-friendly Coors Field.
Chicago Tribune
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Chicago Tribune
Chicago Cubs rely on timely hits and Michael Busch's near cycle in a 8-3 win against the Washington Nationals
WASHINGTON — Sometimes, Michael Busch's offensive production can be overlooked. In a lineup as deep as the Chicago Cubs' that has shown they can beat teams in different ways, Busch's steadiness has provided consistency capable of carrying the team for stretches. Without right fielder Kyle Tucker in the lineup Tuesday as he nurses a jammed right ring finger, Busch reached base four times and fell a double short of the cycle in the Cubs' 8-3 win against the Washington Nationals. Busch's three-hit day and a bases-loaded walk paced the Cubs, whose four-run fifth inning broke a tie. Nico Hoerner capped the frame with a two-out, two-run double. Busch, who came into the series opener with a .344 average, .432 on-base percentage and 1.026 OPS in the last two weeks, connected for his ninth homer of the year in the seventh inning. 'He's always patient so he's always making very good swing decisions — it's definitely a strength,' manager Craig Counsell said. 'The ball that gets driven, the home run, is when you're locked in, you get into a good count and you don't miss something. … It's always good swing decisions. You're always going to get that from him, and that's why it seems quiet sometimes, his production.' The Cubs (38-22) continue to have all the marks of a great team. Twice they immediately answered the Nationals, taking the lead in the first and third innings by tying the game in the ensuing half inning. Rookie right-hander Cade Horton is pitching well in the injured Shota Imanaga's rotation spot, holding a lefty-only Washington lineup to three runs and six hits in 5 1/3 innings. Pete Crow-Armstrong's presence on base set up the Cubs to tie the game in the fourth. A double and a stolen base put pressure on the Nationals' defense. Third baseman José Tena hesitated on Carson Kelly's grounder, putting his focus on Crow-Armstrong who had danced off third on the play but beat Tena to the base to give the Cubs runners on the corners. Busch (RBI single) and Dansby Swanson (sacrifice fly) immediately drove them in. 'You give this team four outs in an inning, I like our chances, right?' Counsell said. 'We've done that a number of times, somehow get four outs in an inning, and if you give us four outs, we're going to score.' Perhaps most impressively, the Cubs came through with runners in scoring position, going 4-for-8 in such situations. Among the 13 qualified big-league hitters with a weighted runs created plus (wRC+) of at least 200 with RISP, the Cubs have four: Busch (12th, 201 wRC+), Seiya Suzuki (11th, 202), Pete Crow-Armstrong (seventh, 207) and Carson Kelly (fourth, 229). Hoerner has been among the best in baseball in those situations when it comes to putting the ball in play. His .424 average with RISP ranks fourth in the majors. Counsell described Hoerner as having the perfect approach in those spots. 'There's going to be contact, it's really hard to strike him out,' Counsell said. 'It's his elite skill, being very tough to strike out. And so you put runners on base and maybe defenders in a little bit different position, and it's going to lead to good things.' Busch reached base in nine consecutive plate appearances dating to Friday, a streak that ended on his flyout in the ninth. 'The biggest contributing factor is taking balls and swinging at strikes,' Busch said. 'And when you're doing that, you're giving yourself a pretty good shot. I think I've been doing that pretty well lately.' Busch's performance on the road this year, although a small sample size, has featured impressive numbers. Entering Tuesday, the 27-year-old first baseman owned a .287/.362/.553 slash line and .915 OPS compared to .241/.370/.410 and a .780 OPS at Wrigley Field. Busch isn't sure why there has been a notable contrast between his home and road splits, noting how he tries to keep the same approach no matter the ballpark. 'Just try to get in there every at-bat and just try to have a good one,' Busch said. 'I have taken a lot of pride in that, and just try to give myself the best shot. Go through good stretches, bad stretches, but just try to show up with a similar mindset each and every day.'
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Numbers Do Lie: 4 of fantasy baseball's most misleading stats so far this season
A simple look at a box score or a study of fantasy baseball categories doesn't always tell the whole story of how a player is performing. Dalton Del Don attempts to identify misleading numbers that are worth a closer look. Yes ... The Numbers Do Lie. [Smarter waivers, better trades, optimized lineups — Yahoo Fantasy Plus unlocks it all] Miller's 4.61 ERA is accompanied by a 1.53 SIERA, which is the second lowest among all pitchers. He ranks first in K% (47.3) and second in K-BB% (36.4). Miller has only been scored on during two of his 14 appearances, but one blowup is masking an otherwise dominant season like he had last year. Miller has been the most difficult pitcher to make contact against in 2025 (his Whiff% is in the 100th percentile), but no one has allowed more hard hits when contact is made. Miller's Hard-Hit% is in the first percentile, and he's already allowed more than half as many Barrels (four) this season compared to all of 2024 in 100+ fewer batted balls. Miller's Hard-Hit% was in the 92nd percentile last season, and his average exit velocity was in the 96th, so regression is coming. The Athletics have provided the third most save opportunities, and Miller's ERA is sure to drop steeply. Miller looks like the top fantasy closer moving forward. Soto may be heating up after hitting two homers Wednesday, but they were his first RBI in a week. Soto has recorded 109 RBI each of the past two seasons, but he's on pace to finish with just 72 this year. Soto entered Wednesday with a higher wRC+ (135) at home than on the road (132), so his new home park hasn't been to blame for the slow start. Soto's RBI production has been down thanks to sequencing and bad luck. His Statcast page remains bright red, and Soto's K% (14.2) is actually a career low. But he's batting just .138/.278/.276 with runners in scoring position (despite a 5:6 K:BB ratio) compared to .333/.438/.560 with the bases empty. Soto smashed a .345/.470/.672 line last year with RISP, so regression seems inevitable. Soto's RBI production will grow. Gore has been a revelation this season, and he's deserved much better. He's allowed three runs or fewer in seven of eight starts (and four in the other) while sporting a 3.33 ERA and a 1.15 WHIP (while ranking top 10 in innings pitched), but 42 pitchers have recorded more wins. The Nationals' bullpen owns a mind-blowing 7.16 ERA that can only improve. Moreover, Gore has pitched better than his other stats indicate, as his 3.33 ERA comes with a 2.37 SIERA that's the lowest among 85 qualified starters. Gore also ranks first in K-BB% (29.4), with a mark that would be the best any starter has finished with since 2021 (Corbin Burnes). Five of Gore's eight starts have come on the road, including in Coors Field and Great American Ballpark, so his schedule hasn't been favorable either. Gore likely won't start racking up wins while pitching in Washington, but the former No. 3 overall pick has finally emerged as an ace. Holliday got off to a rough start with a .569 OPS over the first two weeks of the season, but he's hit .333/.434/.533 with three homers and a steal over 16 games since. A revamped stance has helped Holliday's resurrection, and he's cut his K rate down 10% from his rookie campaign. Holliday is still just 21 years old, and he's suddenly sporting a 120 wRC+. Holliday stated a desire to steal 30 bases before the season, and while he's only recorded two, he's attempted five SBs. His Sprint Speed is in the 89th percentile, so he's certainly capable of contributing more steals moving forward. Holliday still struggles against lefties, but the former No. 1 overall pick has shown major growth in 2025. Moreover, Oriole Park has been baseball's most favorable hitter's park this season. Of course it's a tiny sample, but Baltimore has boosted homers for lefties by a staggering 105% so far in 2025. Holliday's misleading fantasy rank will finish a lot higher.
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Numbers Do Lie: 4 of fantasy baseball's most misleading stats so far this season
A simple look at a box score or a study of fantasy baseball categories doesn't always tell the whole story of how a player is performing. Dalton Del Don attempts to identify misleading numbers that are worth a closer look. Yes ... The Numbers Do Lie. [Smarter waivers, better trades, optimized lineups — Yahoo Fantasy Plus unlocks it all] Miller's 4.61 ERA is accompanied by a 1.53 SIERA, which is the second lowest among all pitchers. He ranks first in K% (47.3) and second in K-BB% (36.4). Miller has only been scored on during two of his 14 appearances, but one blowup is masking an otherwise dominant season like he had last year. Miller has been the most difficult pitcher to make contact against in 2025 (his Whiff% is in the 100th percentile), but no one has allowed more hard hits when contact is made. Miller's Hard-Hit% is in the first percentile, and he's already allowed more than half as many Barrels (four) this season compared to all of 2024 in 100+ fewer batted balls. Miller's Hard-Hit% was in the 92nd percentile last season, and his average exit velocity was in the 96th, so regression is coming. The Athletics have provided the third most save opportunities, and Miller's ERA is sure to drop steeply. Miller looks like the top fantasy closer moving forward. Soto may be heating up after hitting two homers Wednesday, but they were his first RBI in a week. Soto has recorded 109 RBI each of the past two seasons, but he's on pace to finish with just 72 this year. Soto entered Wednesday with a higher wRC+ (135) at home than on the road (132), so his new home park hasn't been to blame for the slow start. Soto's RBI production has been down thanks to sequencing and bad luck. His Statcast page remains bright red, and Soto's K% (14.2) is actually a career low. But he's batting just .138/.278/.276 with runners in scoring position (despite a 5:6 K:BB ratio) compared to .333/.438/.560 with the bases empty. Soto smashed a .345/.470/.672 line last year with RISP, so regression seems inevitable. Soto's RBI production will grow. Gore has been a revelation this season, and he's deserved much better. He's allowed three runs or fewer in seven of eight starts (and four in the other) while sporting a 3.33 ERA and a 1.15 WHIP (while ranking top 10 in innings pitched), but 42 pitchers have recorded more wins. The Nationals' bullpen owns a mind-blowing 7.16 ERA that can only improve. Moreover, Gore has pitched better than his other stats indicate, as his 3.33 ERA comes with a 2.37 SIERA that's the lowest among 85 qualified starters. Gore also ranks first in K-BB% (29.4), with a mark that would be the best any starter has finished with since 2021 (Corbin Burnes). Five of Gore's eight starts have come on the road, including in Coors Field and Great American Ballpark, so his schedule hasn't been favorable either. Gore likely won't start racking up wins while pitching in Washington, but the former No. 3 overall pick has finally emerged as an ace. Holliday got off to a rough start with a .569 OPS over the first two weeks of the season, but he's hit .333/.434/.533 with three homers and a steal over 16 games since. A revamped stance has helped Holliday's resurrection, and he's cut his K rate down 10% from his rookie campaign. Holliday is still just 21 years old, and he's suddenly sporting a 120 wRC+. Holliday stated a desire to steal 30 bases before the season, and while he's only recorded two, he's attempted five SBs. His Sprint Speed is in the 89th percentile, so he's certainly capable of contributing more steals moving forward. Holliday still struggles against lefties, but the former No. 1 overall pick has shown major growth in 2025. Moreover, Oriole Park has been baseball's most favorable hitter's park this season. Of course it's a tiny sample, but Baltimore has boosted homers for lefties by a staggering 105% so far in 2025. Holliday's misleading fantasy rank will finish a lot higher.
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Numbers Do Lie: 4 of fantasy baseball's most misleading stats so far this season
A simple look at a box score or a study of fantasy baseball categories doesn't always tell the whole story of how a player is performing. Dalton Del Don attempts to identify misleading numbers that are worth a closer look. Yes ... The Numbers Do Lie. Advertisement [Smarter waivers, better trades, optimized lineups — Yahoo Fantasy Plus unlocks it all] Mason Miller's 4.61 ERA is a lie Miller's 4.61 ERA is accompanied by a 1.53 SIERA, which is the second lowest among all pitchers. He ranks first in K% (47.3) and second in K-BB% (36.4). Miller has only been scored on during two of his 14 appearances, but one blowup is masking an otherwise dominant season like he had last year. Miller has been the most difficult pitcher to make contact against in 2025 (his Whiff% is in the 100th percentile), but no one has allowed more hard hits when contact is made. Miller's Hard-Hit% is in the first percentile, and he's already allowed more than half as many Barrels (four) this season compared to all of 2024 in 100+ fewer batted balls. Miller's Hard-Hit% was in the 92nd percentile last season, and his average exit velocity was in the 96th, so regression is coming. Advertisement The Athletics have provided the third most save opportunities, and Miller's ERA is sure to drop steeply. Miller looks like the top fantasy closer moving forward. Juan Soto's 17 RBI are a lie Soto may be heating up after hitting two homers Wednesday, but they were his first RBI in a week. Soto has recorded 109 RBI each of the past two seasons, but he's on pace to finish with just 72 this year. Soto entered Wednesday with a higher wRC+ (135) at home than on the road (132), so his new home park hasn't been to blame for the slow start. Soto's RBI production has been down thanks to sequencing and bad luck. His Statcast page remains bright red, and Soto's K% (14.2) is actually a career low. But he's batting just .138/.278/.276 with runners in scoring position (despite a 5:6 K:BB ratio) compared to .333/.438/.560 with the bases empty. Soto smashed a .345/.470/.672 line last year with RISP, so regression seems inevitable. Advertisement Soto's RBI production will grow. MacKenzie Gore's two wins are a lie Gore has been a revelation this season, and he's deserved much better. He's allowed three runs or fewer in seven of eight starts (and four in the other) while sporting a 3.33 ERA and a 1.15 WHIP (while ranking top 10 in innings pitched), but 42 pitchers have recorded more wins. The Nationals' bullpen owns a mind-blowing 7.16 ERA that can only improve. Moreover, Gore has pitched better than his other stats indicate, as his 3.33 ERA comes with a 2.37 SIERA that's the lowest among 85 qualified starters. Gore also ranks first in K-BB% (29.4), with a mark that would be the best any starter has finished with since 2021 (Corbin Burnes). Five of Gore's eight starts have come on the road, including in Coors Field and Great American Ballpark, so his schedule hasn't been favorable either. Gore likely won't start racking up wins while pitching in Washington, but the former No. 3 overall pick has finally emerged as an ace. Advertisement Jackson Holliday's No. 407 fantasy rank is a lie Holliday got off to a rough start with a .569 OPS over the first two weeks of the season, but he's hit .333/.434/.533 with three homers and a steal over 16 games since. A revamped stance has helped Holliday's resurrection, and he's cut his K rate down 10% from his rookie campaign. Holliday is still just 21 years old, and he's suddenly sporting a 120 wRC+. Holliday stated a desire to steal 30 bases before the season, and while he's only recorded two, he's attempted five SBs. His Sprint Speed is in the 89th percentile, so he's certainly capable of contributing more steals moving forward. Holliday still struggles against lefties, but the former No. 1 overall pick has shown major growth in 2025. Moreover, Oriole Park has been baseball's most favorable hitter's park this season. Of course it's a tiny sample, but Baltimore has boosted homers for lefties by a staggering 105% so far in 2025. Holliday's misleading fantasy rank will finish a lot higher.
