What is it that Woody is doing differently?

[Sweet Swinging Billy]

I just posted this in game threads but wasn't sure if my question would be answered. Didn't I hear that Woody is using a new grip on one of his pitches? Which pitch is that? Whatever changes he might have made have certainly helped. I'd prefer Marmol be our closer but as long as Kerry's doing the job --I say, give him the ball.

[manbearcub]

He doesnt appear to be doing anything differently from the beginning of the year. I think other then the first game he has just had a bit of bad luck in his BS's. Besides the HPB his control is solid.

[Sweet Swinging Billy]

yeah since he blew that game against the Brewers, I'm sure I heard that he is using a new grip on one of his pitches. I think it's his slider but I'm not sure. Whatever it is, he seems so dominant now.

[Keener98]

Its his slider.

[Sweet Swinging Billy]

Thanks Keener.

[BigbadB]

Yep, heard on a telecast the other day that Kerry changed the grip of his slider and he's feeling very comfortable with it.

[Fro]

http://chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/cs-080508-felix-pie-minor-leagues-chicago-cubs,1,4996720.story

 

The new grip basically makes it like a different pitch... it breaks at the very end now towards right handed batters like a screwball or a shuuto. It was super nasty Friday.

[BCVM22]

He stopped being a sham, clearly.

[MADD_DOG_31]

getting the breaking balls over for strikes

[javy knows my name]

So is he just throwing that back-up slider now or is he mixing in a more conventional one?

[Warpticon]

http://chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/cs-080508-felix-pie-minor-leagues-chicago-cubs,1,4996720.story

 

The new grip basically makes it like a different pitch... it breaks at the very end now towards right handed batters like a screwball or a shuuto. It was super nasty Friday.

 

Wow...never heard that term domestically (gotta love double-translated words, by the way).

[SABR Gamer]

It's in the movie Mr. Baseball, dude.

[TruffleShuffle]

also locating his pitches better and keeping the ball down, those things are helpful.

[Warpticon]

It's in the movie Mr. Baseball, dude.

 

Is it? I...haven't even heard of that movie. :lol: Funny.

[Abe Frohman]

I notice that his slider, or maybe a cut fastball, is now tailing IN to the RH hitters. Nassy.

[erik316wttn]

I hope it's simply the grip that's giving him that added movement. I posted in the game thread that his slider reminds me of the one he had his rookie year-- the one that also helped to blow out his elbow because of the tremendous strain it put on it. I hope he's not putting that kind of tourque on his elbow again.

[Bull]

I hope it's simply the grip that's giving him that added movement. I posted in the game thread that his slider reminds me of the one he had his rookie year-- the one that also helped to blow out his elbow because of the tremendous strain it put on it. I hope he's not putting that kind of tourque on his elbow again.

 

I dunno, it may be ok for 60-80 innings a year as opposed to 166.7 his rookie year. Also the willingness to throw it might be indicative of a more complete health/confidence in his health.