catching

[brfahey]

Does anyone know the Cubs record in games started by Barrett vs. the record in games started by Blanco and/or the staff's ERA with each?

[David]

IBL

[Fred Hornkohl]

CUBS are 34-36 when Barrett catches, 14-11 when Blanco starts.

 

 

catcher   Starters   Relief  Overall 
Barrett      4.550    4.901    4.664
Blanco       3.340    3.484    3.380

Overall      4.217    4.568    4.327

[CubinNY]

If you are talking about defense only, there is more than enough evidence to convince me that whomever is catching has littlle influence on the outcome of a game.

 

Barrett over Blanco.

[brfahey]

CUBS are 34-36 when Barrett catches, 14-11 when Blanco starts.

 

 

catcher   Starters   Relief  Overall 
Barrett      4.550    4.901    4.664
Blanco       3.340    3.484    3.380

Overall      4.217    4.568    4.327

 

Thanks for the info. That ERA discrepency is striking. I think, not based on these numbers alone, that Barrett is a poor receiver and defensive catcher. Never seems to hang on to a throw from the outfield. Lots of wild pitches which could be scored as passed balls. His bat is pretty good. I think he should think about a position change.

[Mark Priors Calves]

CUBS are 34-36 when Barrett catches, 14-11 when Blanco starts.

 

 

catcher   Starters   Relief  Overall 
Barrett      4.550    4.901    4.664
Blanco       3.340    3.484    3.380

Overall      4.217    4.568    4.327

 

Could it be possible that the reason Blanco's Starter's ERA is so much is lower is that he has primarily caught Mark Prior this season? Obviously, that's not going to account for all of it because Prior missed a number of starts this year but I think that has a big factor in it.

[AAApittsburgh]

CUBS are 34-36 when Barrett catches, 14-11 when Blanco starts.

 

 

catcher   Starters   Relief  Overall 
Barrett      4.550    4.901    4.664
Blanco       3.340    3.484    3.380

Overall      4.217    4.568    4.327

 

Could it be possible that the reason Blanco's Starter's ERA is so much is lower is that he has primarily caught Mark Prior this season? Obviously, that's not going to account for all of it because Prior missed a number of starts this year but I think that has a big factor in it.

Agreed. I always thought catcher's ERA was a pretty useless stat. Blanco doesn't have any magical game calling skills and Blanco's defense hasn't really impressed me all that much this season. When Prior is really on his game, a one armed midget could catch him and it wouldn't make a bit of difference.

[brfahey]

CUBS are 34-36 when Barrett catches, 14-11 when Blanco starts.

 

 

catcher   Starters   Relief  Overall 
Barrett      4.550    4.901    4.664
Blanco       3.340    3.484    3.380

Overall      4.217    4.568    4.327

 

Could it be possible that the reason Blanco's Starter's ERA is so much is lower is that he has primarily caught Mark Prior this season? Obviously, that's not going to account for all of it because Prior missed a number of starts this year but I think that has a big factor in it.

Agreed. I always thought catcher's ERA was a pretty useless stat. Blanco doesn't have any magical game calling skills and Blanco's defense hasn't really impressed me all that much this season. When Prior is really on his game, a one armed midget could catch him and it wouldn't make a bit of difference.

 

I disagree. The telling number under your analysis would be Prior's ERA when caught by Barrett v. when caught by Blanco. I don't think the difference is all Prior. The staff meltdown games seem to come with Barrett at catcher (yesterday, last game in Atlanta). I understand that the pitchers are as responsible as the catchers but there is something to this, I think.

[Fred Hornkohl]

Here's the complete breakdown on who pitched to whom, and how many times. I still don't think it's conclusive, but certainly food for thought....

 

pitcher       Barrett        Blanco
            GS    ERA     GS    ERA
Zambrano     11   4.02      8   3.00
Maddux       15   4.82      6   3.92
Dempster      4   5.24      2   5.56
Wood         10   4.67      -     --
Prior         5   3.77      9   2.81
Rusch        10   3.32      -     --
Leicester     1  12.00      -     --
Mitre         7   5.19      -     --
Koronka       3   7.63      -     --
Williams      4   4.39      -     --

 totals     70   4.55     25   3.34

 

Here are the stat lines for the entire pitching staff with respect to the starting catcher......

 

04/04 - 07/21        IP    H    R   ER   BB    K   HR  BB/9   K/9  HR/9  WHIP   ERA
CUBS w/Barrett    621.3  612  336  322  255  520   95  3.69  7.53  1.38  1.40  4.66
CUBS w/Blanco     221.0  179   90   83   87  210   20  3.54  8.55  0.81  1.20  3.38

CUBS overall      833.3  779  420  399  335  719  114  3.62  7.77  1.23  1.34  4.31

[TB_11]

Here's the complete breakdown on who pitched to whom, and how many times. I still don't think it's conclusive, but certainly food for thought....

 

pitcher       Barrett        Blanco
            GS    ERA     GS    ERA
Zambrano     11   4.02      8   3.00
Maddux       15   4.82      6   3.92
Dempster      4   5.24      2   5.56
Wood         10   4.67      -     --
Prior         5   3.77      9   2.81
Rusch        10   3.32      -     --
Leicester     1  12.00      -     --
Mitre         7   5.19      -     --
Koronka       3   7.63      -     --
Williams      4   4.39      -     --

 totals     70   4.55     25   3.34

 

Here are the stat lines for the entire pitching staff with respect to the starting catcher......

 

04/04 - 07/21        IP    H    R   ER   BB    K   HR  BB/9   K/9  HR/9  WHIP   ERA
CUBS w/Barrett    621.3  612  336  322  255  520   95  3.69  7.53  1.38  1.40  4.66
CUBS w/Blanco     221.0  179   90   83   87  210   20  3.54  8.55  0.81  1.20  3.38

CUBS overall      833.3  779  420  399  335  719  114  3.62  7.77  1.23  1.34  4.31

 

Fred, you rock. Keep those stats coming.

 

That's pretty interesting - can we make the case that having Blanco in the game basically creates a run for the Cubs (prevents a run from crossing the plate)? If so, does that makes Blanco's defensive/pitch calling presence overwhelm additional offense we get from having Barrett in the lineup?

 

I haven't seen much analysis done on catcher's ERA in the past (and I'm obviously unfamiliar with how to analyze it when it's in front of me) - has anyone seen anything that shows a catcher's value as a pitch caller?

[biittner77]

Here's the complete breakdown on who pitched to whom, and how many times. I still don't think it's conclusive, but certainly food for thought....

 

pitcher       Barrett        Blanco
            GS    ERA     GS    ERA
Zambrano     11   4.02      8   3.00
Maddux       15   4.82      6   3.92
Dempster      4   5.24      2   5.56
Wood         10   4.67      -     --
Prior         5   3.77      9   2.81
Rusch        10   3.32      -     --
Leicester     1  12.00      -     --
Mitre         7   5.19      -     --
Koronka       3   7.63      -     --
Williams      4   4.39      -     --

 totals     70   4.55     25   3.34

 

Here are the stat lines for the entire pitching staff with respect to the starting catcher......

 

04/04 - 07/21        IP    H    R   ER   BB    K   HR  BB/9   K/9  HR/9  WHIP   ERA
CUBS w/Barrett    621.3  612  336  322  255  520   95  3.69  7.53  1.38  1.40  4.66
CUBS w/Blanco     221.0  179   90   83   87  210   20  3.54  8.55  0.81  1.20  3.38

CUBS overall      833.3  779  420  399  335  719  114  3.62  7.77  1.23  1.34  4.31

 

Does this include last night? I guess not since it was posted before the game started. :oops:

 

CERA is pretty worthless because the opponents are different and pitchers have different stuff on different days, the wind could be blowing in vs out and Blanco's sample is too small. I would also argue that Baker picks and chooses what opponents to hide Blanco in the lineup as opposed to Barrett who's in there against the better teams.

[Fred Hornkohl]

Here's the complete breakdown on who pitched to whom, and how many times. I still don't think it's conclusive, but certainly food for thought....

 

pitcher       Barrett        Blanco
            GS    ERA     GS    ERA
Zambrano     11   4.02      8   3.00
Maddux       15   4.82      6   3.92
Dempster      4   5.24      2   5.56
Wood         10   4.67      -     --
Prior         5   3.77      9   2.81
Rusch        10   3.32      -     --
Leicester     1  12.00      -     --
Mitre         7   5.19      -     --
Koronka       3   7.63      -     --
Williams      4   4.39      -     --

 totals     70   4.55     25   3.34

 

Here are the stat lines for the entire pitching staff with respect to the starting catcher......

 

04/04 - 07/21        IP    H    R   ER   BB    K   HR  BB/9   K/9  HR/9  WHIP   ERA
CUBS w/Barrett    621.3  612  336  322  255  520   95  3.69  7.53  1.38  1.40  4.66
CUBS w/Blanco     221.0  179   90   83   87  210   20  3.54  8.55  0.81  1.20  3.38

CUBS overall      833.3  779  420  399  335  719  114  3.62  7.77  1.23  1.34  4.31

 

Does this include last night? I guess not since it was posted before the game started. :oops:

 

CERA is pretty worthless because the opponents are different and pitchers have different stuff on different days, the wind could be blowing in vs out and Blanco's sample is too small. I would also argue that Baker picks and chooses what opponents to hide Blanco in the lineup as opposed to Barrett who's in there against the better teams.

 

All valid points. That's kind of why I said.......

 

I still don't think it's conclusive, but certainly food for thought....

[Jazz]

barret isnt really skilled at calling the game, but hes been pretty awesome throwing runners out this year IIRC

[10man]

barret isnt really skilled at calling the game, but hes been pretty awesome throwing runners out this year IIRC

It's possible that Blanco has had an effect on Barrett's throwing. I wouldn't be surprised if Hank gave Michael a few tips.