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February 14, 2008
Wang: What's Wrong On The Road?
Then again, maybe it's a matter of what's so good about pitching at home? Look at the home and road splits for Worm Killer Wang in his big league career:
Wang: Pitching At Yankee Stadium
IP ERA BAA BABIP OOPS
2005 66.0 3.55 .250 .260 .653
2006 118.6 3.03 .253 .267 .637
2007 111.3 2.75 .235 .262 .641
Wang: Pitching On The Road
IP ERA BAA BABIP OOPS
2005 50.3 4.65 .264 .276 .720
2006 99.3 4.35 .304 .322 .759
2007 88.0 4.91 .300 .336 .750
It’s pretty obvious that Wang is not the same pitcher on the road – as he is at Yankee Stadium. Why?
Based on those BAA and BABIP numbers, I would suggest that more batted balls go for hits against Wang on the road. Why?
Considering that it’s the same defense behind Wang in both road and home games, it has to be the playing field. And, since Wang is an extreme groundball pitcher, it has to be the infield at Yankee Stadium that’s slowing down those batted balls – so that they can be outs instead of hits.
It could be that the grass is higher and/or thicker at Yankee Stadium. It could be that the Yankees water down the field when Wang is starting at home. Or, it could be both. But, it’s clear that Wang gets some sort of an assist at Yankee Stadium. And, this suggests that, maybe – just maybe – Wang is not as good as many think he is (in terms of his pitching effectiveness) because his value is a byproduct of a Yankee Stadium’s park effect (for him).
I hate to think this – because I am a fan of Worm Killer. But, the stats to lend towards this being true. And, this may be the reason why the Yankees don’t want to sign Wang to a long-term deal – since they know his stats are inflated because of home park effects.
Posted by WW Staff at February 14, 2008 10:24 AM
Comments
They dont want to sign him long term because you dont sign pitchers who ar eyrs away from free agency to long term deals. Especially when they have had injury concerns.
Has nothing to do with home road splits.
Posted by: Dave Polands Gut ![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.waswatching.com/nav-commenters.gif)
at February 14, 2008 11:12 AM
I think I saw this kind of analysis before. I read one comment about this. It said it's not that big different when you minus the road games Wang pitched at the turf, such as BAA, BABIP.
Posted by: Jessica Lee at February 14, 2008 11:43 AM
Yes, Toronto has hurt Wang. But, so has Cleveland and Boston - and they don't have plastic grass in Fenway or Jacobs Field.
Posted by: WW Staff at February 14, 2008 12:13 PM
This is the link I was talking about http://www.replacementlevel.com/index.php/RLYW/comments/the_wang_effect
The one I was talking about in the comments
Posted by: Jessica Lee at February 14, 2008 12:31 PM
Of course, Wang did has problems on the road which the majority of pitchers seems to have this problems too. But, I do think Wang has to try to change this trend as well.
Posted by: Jessica Lee at February 14, 2008 12:37 PM
Nothing like some home cooking. Every team should benefit their pitcher as much as possible. I wouldn't doubt the Yankees water down the infield at all.
Posted by: gphunt at February 14, 2008 12:44 PM
C'mon, give me a break. Sure, the Yankees' grounds crew might let the grass grow a bit for a Wang start, but they are neither playing in a jungle or a sinkpit. No home advantage outside of some remote-controlled ball could cause these splits. They are obviously about Wang himself.
"...so has Cleveland and Boston - and they don't have plastic grass in Fenway or Jacobs Field."
But they do have a lot of good hitters. Wang, outside of a game or two, always struggles against the Sox -- Manny and Ortiz beat him up all the time.
Posted by: baileywalk at February 14, 2008 01:26 PM
near perfect games don't count, we all know that
Posted by: Corey at February 14, 2008 02:21 PM
Pitching him against Boston is never a good idea.
The red sox guys are notorious low ball hitting machines and absolutly kill sinkerballers.
Basically Wangs strenght is theirs too.
Guys like Manny and Ortiz and co thrive on the low hard stuff.
Posted by: Sonny M at February 14, 2008 03:36 PM
This isn't particularly strange. yes the Yankees probably do water their grass. and the vice versa is true. the other teams probably cut their grasses lower when the opposition guy is a groundballer.
just check out Derek Lowe's 02/03 splits. it's pretty obvious too, espically 03, now THATS a split.
Doc Halladay also have a significant home split, as strange as that is. (being on turf)
it also might have to do with fielders simply aren't quiet as use to the field away from home. which wouldn't be THAT strange.
Posted by: Yu Hsing Chen at February 15, 2008 04:46 AM