For crying out loud, can MLB please implement an electronic strike zone already?

[Can_of_corn]

Lots of good stuff around for this "gem".

Padres broadcast awards Eddings Plays of the Game.

https://streamable.com/7qobaj

[Frobby]

Long article in the Post today:

“This year there were 19,315 incorrect calls through Aug. 1, averaging out to 6.1 per game. While the rate of incorrect calls has remained steady in recent years, the impact of those calls is the highest it has ever been, largely because of umpires calling fewer strikes than expected since the data became available 13 years ago. Overall, 776 fewer strikes have been called than should have been based on location and who was at bat.

* * *

“No team has more of a gripe regarding missed calls on a season-long basis than the Baltimore Orioles. The O’s have seen 147 pitches called balls that should have been strikes, the biggest discrepancy of 2021. Data from TruMedia estimates these missed calls have led Baltimore to allow 21 more runs than expected in 2021. For comparison, the Kansas City Royals are next on the list with an estimated 11 more runs allowed because of missed strike calls this season. The Rangers have received the friendliest strike zone. Their pitchers have benefited from 130 more strike calls on pitches usually considered balls, saving them an estimated 18 runs allowed.”

https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2021/08/16/worst-strike-zones-data/

 

[bobmc]

57 minutes ago, Frobby said:

Long article in the Post today:

“This year there were 19,315 incorrect calls through Aug. 1, averaging out to 6.1 per game. While the rate of incorrect calls has remained steady in recent years, the impact of those calls is the highest it has ever been, largely because of umpires calling fewer strikes than expected since the data became available 13 years ago. Overall, 776 fewer strikes have been called than should have been based on location and who was at bat.

* * *

“No team has more of a gripe regarding missed calls on a season-long basis than the Baltimore Orioles. The O’s have seen 147 pitches called balls that should have been strikes, the biggest discrepancy of 2021. Data from TruMedia estimates these missed calls have led Baltimore to allow 21 more runs than expected in 2021. For comparison, the Kansas City Royals are next on the list with an estimated 11 more runs allowed because of missed strike calls this season. The Rangers have received the friendliest strike zone. Their pitchers have benefited from 130 more strike calls on pitches usually considered balls, saving them an estimated 18 runs allowed.”

https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2021/08/16/worst-strike-zones-data/

 

Interesting and I guess that it's mostly random but the Severino haters might have another opinion .  We keep hearing JP say that if the target is on one side and the pitch is a strike where he is not set up, it is often not called.  Is it bad umpiring, the brutal heat of TX causing dizziness and rush to dinner or whatever?  

[Can_of_corn]

I guess he had someplace he had to be.

 

[Frobby]

Yeah, he was terrible yesterday on pitches outside the zone.    Palmer remarked that he was amazed the teams had put up 14 runs, given the size of the strike zone.  

[SteveA]

13 minutes ago, Frobby said:

Yeah, he was terrible yesterday on pitches outside the zone.    Palmer remarked that he was amazed the teams had put up 14 runs, given the size of the strike zone.  

Eddings has always been a "pitcher's ump".   Back around the early to mid 2000s I was trying my hand at betting baseball, and I found that he and John Hirshbeck were the two  biggest pitcher's umps out there.   I'd look to bet the under when they were going to be behind home plate, or else if a good control pitcher was starting for one of the teams I would be more likely to bet on that team.   Anyone I felt would be able to take advantage of the big zone and paint the corners.

[Ruzious]

“No team has more of a gripe regarding missed calls on a season-long basis than the Baltimore Orioles. The O’s have seen 147 pitches called balls that should have been strikes, the biggest discrepancy of 2021. Data from TruMedia estimates these missed calls have led Baltimore to allow 21 more runs than expected in 2021."

No wonder we aren't making the playoffs.  

[Can_of_corn]

3 minutes ago, Ruzious said:

“No team has more of a gripe regarding missed calls on a season-long basis than the Baltimore Orioles. The O’s have seen 147 pitches called balls that should have been strikes, the biggest discrepancy of 2021. Data from TruMedia estimates these missed calls have led Baltimore to allow 21 more runs than expected in 2021."

No wonder we aren't making the playoffs.  

Because of Severino and his pathetic framing?

[Ruzious]

Just now, Can_of_corn said:

Because of Severino and his pathetic framing?

The SPF Effect sounds like a good skapegoat to me.  

[Can_of_corn]

1 minute ago, Ruzious said:

The SPF Effect sounds like a good skapegoat to me.  

I'm sure it is just that the entire Ump's union has it out for the O's.  Probably because of Earl.

[Frobby]

1 hour ago, Can_of_corn said:

Because of Severino and his pathetic framing?

Well, this is an interesting question.   The framing stats basically measure how many pitches were called incorrectly while a certain catcher was catching.   But I’d say that does not depend entirely on the skill of the catcher.   It may depend on whether the pitcher is hitting the catcher’s target vs. making him move his glove a long way to reach a pitch not in its intended spot.   And, to some extent, it may depend on the reputation of the batter or pitcher.    Maybe also on the stadium environment.  (I think it’s been shown that home teams get more calls, and that probably happens more often in a full stadium than an empty one.)   I believe all the O’s catchers have had bad framing stats the last couple of years, so there could be more afoot than purely catching skill.   Or not.  

[Oriole1940]

The above and built in bias against the really poor teams.  If they threw strikes they would have won more games????  Most questionable calls go against the really poor teams.  Electronic calling  of balls and strikes which I have wanted for years would help. 

 

[Can_of_corn]

 

[Ruzious]

Tbh, that one didn't look egregious.  I've seen a lot worse this season.    

[Frobby]

36 minutes ago, Ruzious said:

Tbh, that one didn't look egregious.  I've seen a lot worse this season.    

Fangraphs usually runs an article on the worst called balls and strikes of the season.   I agree I’ve seen worse that that one.