The secret of Zach Britton's unique dominance

[Il BuonO]

http://www.hardballtimes.com/why-are-ground-balls-hit/

I find this article encouraging.

I liked this:

"Whether or not the batter finds himself in a clutch situation hardly matters either."

So, Gausman would be low entropy.

[OFFNY]

o

(JUNE 24th)

Due to a scoring change in Tuesday's game vs. the Padres, Zach Britton is no longer being charged with 3 earned runs in the 9th inning of said game.

So instead of his ERA ballooning all the way up to 1.76 (which it would have been had he been charged with those runs), it remains relatively low, at 0.88.

https://twitter.com/masnRoch/status/746386911250505728

[Frobby]

I'm confused. I'd always thought Flaherty's play was scored as an error. BB-ref already shows all three runs as unearned, unless they've changed it already today. https://twitter.com/masnRoch/status/746386911250505728 So does ESPN. http://espn.go.com/mlb/playbyplay?gameId=360621101

[Beef Supreme]

http://www.hardballtimes.com/why-are-ground-balls-hit/

I find this article encouraging.

Looks like teams can't take the "don't swing at the sinker" approach when Britton can command the sinker up in the zone, too.

[Can_of_corn]

Looks like teams can't take the "don't swing at the sinker" approach when Britton can command the sinker up in the zone, too.

That was what I found encouraging.

I'm still apprehensive about the possible change in the strike zone.

[Beef Supreme]

That was what I found encouraging.

I'm still apprehensive about the possible change in the strike zone.

I have read your statements about the changes in strike zone affecting Britton. I think it won't be as bad as you fear for him; he's a special talent whose pitches can fool even umpires. But, yes, as long as he can beat down batters with the sinker even when it's up in the zone is reassuring for his future value, should the change in the low strike be employed in future years.

[Can_of_corn]

I have read your statements about the changes in strike zone affecting Britton. I think it won't be as bad as you fear for him; he's a special talent whose pitches can fool even umpires. But, yes, as long as he can beat down batters with the sinker even when it's up in the zone is reassuring for his future value, should the change in the low strike be employed in future years.

I've been known to err on the side of doom and gloom.

[OFFNY]

o

(vs. D-RAYS, 6/24)

The lead-off double aside, Britton looked better tonight than he had in a couple of his most recent outings.

14 Pitches (10 Strikes, 4 Balls.)

0 Walks, 1 Strikeout.

[Machado13]

o

(vs. D-RAYS, 6/24)

The lead-off double aside, Britton looked better tonight than he had a couple of his most recent outings.

14 Pitches (10 Strikes, 4 Balls.)

0 Walks, 1 Strikeout.

I like the 14 pitches. The less pitches he throws now the better for later in the season when he will probably be used even more heavily in pressure August and September games.

[ChuckS]

How many sliders has Zach Britton thrown this year? I feel like he worked that pitch in a bit more last year.

The sinking fastball is his best pitch and he can obviously get by with just that but it would be nice to see him work the slider in on occasion just to give the hitters something to think about and also to stay sharp for those few outings where the sinker is not biting or the command is not there.

[Nevermore]

o

(vs. D-RAYS, 6/24)

The lead-off double aside, Britton looked better tonight than he had a couple of his most recent outings.

14 Pitches (10 Strikes, 4 Balls.)

0 Walks, 1 Strikeout.

I absolutely agree. He seemed to be in a bit of a funk the past couple of days. Glad that he's coming out of it.

[Beef Supreme]

How many sliders has Zach Britton thrown this year? I feel like he worked that pitch in a bit more last year.

The sinking fastball is his best pitch and he can obviously get by with just that but it would be nice to see him work the slider in on occasion just to give the hitters something to think about and also to stay sharp for those few outings where the sinker is not biting or the command is not there.

I saw Britton throw a slider last week that rivaled any that Andrew Miller has ever thrown.

[Frobby]

The last batter last night was completely befuddled. It was clear after one pitch that he wasn't going to make contact with the baseball during his at bat.

[OFFNY]

o

(vs. ANGELS, 7/10)

After ceding a lead-off single to start the inning, Britton recorded 3 consecutive outs to earn his 27th save of the season.

21 Pitches (13 Strikes, 8 Balls.)

2016 ERA: OOl. 0.72

2016 WHIP: Oo 0.823

[Frobby]

All-time Orioles saves leaders:

160 - Greg Olson

122 - Jim Johnson

105 - Tippy Martinez

100 - Zach Britton, Stu Miller

It's feasible (though by no means certain) that Britton could catch JJ by the end of this season. He should have a chance to pass Olson next season if he's still our closer.