Clutch Pitching

[Outshined_One]

I'm really hoping this particular post stays on topic since we've beaten the clutch hitting thing to death and haven't gotten much of anywhere with it.

 

At any rate, in a recent discussion on this topic, some one brought up the notion of clutch pitching. This isn't just the whole closer mentality thing that tends to pop up every now and again (although, ever since The LaTroy Hawkins Experience, I think most people on this board will agree that there is a such thing). Instead, it's evaluating pitchers to see how they react to adverse circumstances; when they need to bear down, such as getting a ground ball or a strikeout.

 

So, my question is, can we statistically prove the existence of clutch pitching? Can certain pitchers who are comparable on a statistical level have different levels of effectiveness when it comes to getting out of jams? How could we measure this?

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Very difficult to isolate with starting pitchers because of fatigue.

 

Very difficult to isolate with relievers because of sample size.

[MPrior]

Very difficult to isolate with starting pitchers because of fatigue.

 

Very difficult to isolate with relievers because of sample size.

 

This is true. However, I'd have a much easier time buying into the notion of clutch pitching than clutch hitting, for a number of reasons - the (seeming) existence of a "closer mentality" or something like it; the fact that pitching, being less reactive in nature than hitting, might be more significantly affected by mental state, etc.

 

Although I would bet that a clutch pitcher is not one who pitches better than usual in pressure situations, but one who merely pitches at his usual level in those situations, not allowing the pressure to get to him. We've all seen a pitcher fall apart when things start getting a little ugly for him: losing control, making bad pitches, all that jazz (Zambrano comes to mind, although I think that's as often due to fatigue as anything else). The "clutch" pitcher, if there is such a thing, is probably (in my mind) one who doesn't let this happen.

 

Then again, this is all speculation.

[David]

Very difficult to isolate with starting pitchers because of fatigue.

 

Very difficult to isolate with relievers because of sample size.

 

Although I would bet that a clutch pitcher is not one who pitches better than usual in pressure situations, but one who merely pitches at his usual level in those situations, not allowing the pressure to get to him. We've all seen a pitcher fall apart when things start getting a little ugly for him: losing control, making bad pitches, all that jazz (Zambrano comes to mind, although I think that's as often due to fatigue as anything else). The "clutch" pitcher, if there is such a thing, is probably (in my mind) one who doesn't let this happen.

 

I agree. This is exactly how I think of any notion of "clutch" pitching.