David Pinto worked for ten years as the chief researcher for ESPN’s Baseball Tonight. Starting in 2002, David brought his research and insights to a wider audience through his blog, Baseball Musings.

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Lovable no more

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He Can Always Play for Dusty Baker

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June 3, 3:44 PM

by David Pinto, Baseball Examiner

Via Fire Joe Morgan, Jason Varitek complains about his fellow base runners:

"We haven't been able to cash it in very much," catcher Jason Varitek said, "but it puts an extra amount of pressure on the other team, which we haven't been able to do. We've got a lot of big donkeys who clog up the bases."

Varitek may have a valid point here. The Red Sox are hitting well with runners in scoring position, .275 versus .283 overall. The runs created formula, however, says they should be scoring 5.4 runs per game. They're scoring 5.0 per game, second in the AL. Maybe a lack of speed is causing them the leave men on base who should otherwise score.

Jason Varitek

Jason Varitek shows off his speed heading to third on a ground rule double against the Royals on May 20, 2008.
Photo: Icon SMI

Topics: Baseball , Offense , Red Sox , Jason Varitek , Base Running

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Comments

What happened to Moyer?

1 comment

October 13, 10:17 AM

So far the Phillies two postseason losses have one thing in common: Jamie Moyer pitching. That pretty much goes against Moyer's career and recent histories. Coming into 2008, Moyer pitched very well in the postseason. In addition, Charlie Manuel made... Read More
Topics: Pitchers , MLB , League Championship Series

ALCS: Red Sox versus Rays

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October 9, 5:47 PM

The following table compares the 2008 seasons of the Red Sox and Rays, opponents in the ALCS. AL Ranks 2008 Red Sox Rays Runs/Game 5.22 (3rd)... Read More
Topics: MLB , League Championship Series

NLCS: Dodgers versus Phillies

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October 8, 10:44 AM

The following table compares major batting and pitching stats for the Dodgers and Phillies with NL ranks:NL Ranks2008DodgersPhilliesRuns/Game4.32 (13th)4.93 (2nd-T)Batting Avg..264 (5th).255 (10th)On-Base Average.333 (6th).332 (7th)Slugging Pct..399... Read More
Topics: MLB , League Championship Series

Lovable no more

2 comments

October 5, 10:43 AM

The Cubs choked. This wasn't a typical Cubs bizarre defeat. There was no unprecedented comeback, no fan knocking the ball away. It wasn't even a hard-fought set of games in which luck just went the other way. The Cubs simply stunk in a series in which... Read More
Topics: League Division Series , MLB

ALDS: White Sox versus Rays

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October 2, 10:25 AM

The following table compares the 2008 seasons of the White Sox and Rays, opponents in the ALDS.AL Ranks2008White SoxRaysRuns/Game5.00 (5th)4.78 (9th)Batting Avg..263 (11th).260 (13th)On-Base Average.332 (9th).340 (6th)Slugging Pct..448 (2nd).422 (8th)ERA4.06... Read More
Topics: League Division Series , MLB

ALDS: Red Sox versus Angels

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October 1, 1:24 PM

The following table compares the 2008 seasons of the Red Sox and Angels, opponents in the ALDS.AL Ranks2008Red SoxAngelsRuns/Game5.22 (3rd)4.72 (10th)Batting Avg..280 (2nd).268 (7th)On-Base Average.358 (1st).330 (11th)/Slugging Pct..447 (3rd).413 (9th)ERA4.01... Read More
Topics: League Division Series , MLB

The best baseball statistics web sites

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September 30, 8:48 PM

For statistically minded baseball fans, the internet offers a bevy of sites to find the numbers on your favorite players or teams.It all starts with Baseball Reference. I remember buying my Baseball Encyclopedia in the mid 1980s and paging through the... Read More
Topics: MLB , Statistics

NLDS: Dodgers versus Cubs

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September 30, 5:27 PM

The following table compares the 2008 seasons of the Dodgers and Cubs, opponents in the NLDS.NL Ranks2008DodgersCubsRuns/Game4.32 (13th)5.31 (1st)Batting Avg..264 (5th).278 (2nd)On-Base Average.333 (6th).354 (1st)/Slugging Pct..399 (13th).443 (1st)ERA3.68... Read More
Topics: League Division Series , MLB

NLDS: Brewers versus Phillies

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September 30, 5:25 AM

NL Ranks2008BrewersPhilliesRuns/Game4.63 (7th)4.93 (2nd-T)Batting Avg..253 (12th).255 (10th)On-Base Average.325 (10th).332 (7th)/Slugging Pct..431 (5th).438 (2nd)ERA3.85 (2nd)3.88 (4th)Strikeouts/9 IP6.9 (9th)6.7 (12th)Walks/9 IP3.3 (5th-T)3.3 (5th-T)HR/200... Read More
Topics: League Division Series , MLB