Here's hoping 1. That FIU gives USM fits, and takes at least one game from them.
2. Our pitchers overcome whatever has been bothering them and we can somehow sweep a good Bulldog team on the road.

(05-15-2016 02:43 PM)Tomball Owl Wrote:  

(05-15-2016 02:27 PM)Ranger Wrote:  Another walk. I guess the wise strategy is to pray for rain.

For those counting at home, beginning with last Tuesday's debacle with UH, the Rice staff has allowed 33 walks and 4 HBP (through the 4th inning in this game). Hard to win with all those freebies.

The Owls offense needs to pick up the pitching staff big time.

I am going to clue everyone in to a little secret. Pitchers don't try to throw balls and walk people. They also don't respond well telling them to throw strikes and not walk people. There is usually a reason for not hitting the spot and it isn't for lack of trying. Pros even have periodic bouts with control. You want our guys to walk less. Stop talking about it. You also can't pitch afraid or looking over your shoulder the moment you take the mound. For the most part our pitchers aren't wild they just miss by a little. There is a huge difference from just missing and being wild. I would also argue that some walks aren't necessarily bad. Look at game two where FAU piled up 16 hits. If you pitch too fat you are not going to walk people but give up a ton of hits. People need to pay more attention to WHIP than walks. Hit and walk are same result. Our guys will be just fine. Stop with the fanatical focus on walks and instead focus on WHIP and watch results and walks go down. Plus we will give up less runs.

Would have been nice to have at least gotten our turn at bat in the bottom of the fifth. This likely cost us the regular season championship, as we not only have the far toughest opponent next weekend amongst the other contending 3 teams, but all of them are at home while we're on the road.

I'm most concerned with Otto, who has had 3 consecutive poor outings (including Friday, when he didn't allow any runs, but had trouble throwing strikes and gave up a couple hard hit balls).

(05-15-2016 05:12 PM)waltgreenberg Wrote:  Would have been nice to have at least gotten our turn at bat in the bottom of the fifth. This likely cost us the regular season championship, as we not only have the far toughest opponent next weekend amongst the other contending 3 teams, but all of them are at home while we're on the road.

I'm most concerned with Otto, who has had 3 consecutive poor outings (including Friday, when he didn't allow any runs, but had trouble throwing strikes and gave up a couple hard hit balls).

I watch the catchers glove and see how much we miss by. If a catcher sets up outside and a pitcher misses inside and throws a strike on the inside corner I ask is that good? If the pitcher misses outside 6 inches off the plate but is a ball is that worse? Bottom line focus on men on base allowed or WHIP for a pitcher.

Let me give you two scenarios. Pitcher A gives up 8 hits and 2 walks in 7 inn but Pitcher B gives up 5 hits and 5 walks in 7 inn. Who do you think gave up more runs? My guess is pitcher A. What were their WHIPs? Identical as we all know.

And your point is?

For a pitcher, giving up hits, walks or HBPs is bad. Doing all three is worse.

(05-15-2016 06:11 PM)Tomball Owl Wrote:  And your point is?

For a pitcher, giving up hits, walks or HBPs is bad. Doing all three is worse.

I agree 100%. My point is we tend to obsess over walks and not all the above. Although I am not as concerned over HBP. Need to keep guys off the plate. Pitcher needs to own the inside corner not batter.

(05-15-2016 05:08 PM)Howlomaha Wrote:  

(05-15-2016 02:43 PM)Tomball Owl Wrote:  

(05-15-2016 02:27 PM)Ranger Wrote:  Another walk. I guess the wise strategy is to pray for rain.

For those counting at home, beginning with last Tuesday's debacle with UH, the Rice staff has allowed 33 walks and 4 HBP (through the 4th inning in this game). Hard to win with all those freebies.

The Owls offense needs to pick up the pitching staff big time.

I am going to clue everyone in to a little secret. Pitchers don't try to throw balls and walk people. They also don't respond well telling them to throw strikes and not walk people. There is usually a reason for not hitting the spot and it isn't for lack of trying. Pros even have periodic bouts with control. You want our guys to walk less. Stop talking about it. You also can't pitch afraid or looking over your shoulder the moment you take the mound. For the most part our pitchers aren't wild they just miss by a little. There is a huge difference from just missing and being wild. I would also argue that some walks aren't necessarily bad. Look at game two where FAU piled up 16 hits. If you pitch too fat you are not going to walk people but give up a ton of hits. People need to pay more attention to WHIP than walks. Hit and walk are same result. Our guys will be just fine. Stop with the fanatical focus on walks and instead focus on WHIP and watch results and walks go down. Plus we will give up less runs.

I see why your reputation is a -10!!

(05-15-2016 05:12 PM)waltgreenberg Wrote:  Would have been nice to have at least gotten our turn at bat in the bottom of the fifth. This likely cost us the regular season championship, as we not only have the far toughest opponent next weekend amongst the other contending 3 teams, but all of them are at home while we're on the road.

USM is at FIU, which helps.

(05-15-2016 07:00 PM)RiceDad Wrote:  

(05-15-2016 05:08 PM)Howlomaha Wrote:  

(05-15-2016 02:43 PM)Tomball Owl Wrote:  

(05-15-2016 02:27 PM)Ranger Wrote:  Another walk. I guess the wise strategy is to pray for rain.

For those counting at home, beginning with last Tuesday's debacle with UH, the Rice staff has allowed 33 walks and 4 HBP (through the 4th inning in this game). Hard to win with all those freebies.

The Owls offense needs to pick up the pitching staff big time.

I am going to clue everyone in to a little secret. Pitchers don't try to throw balls and walk people. They also don't respond well telling them to throw strikes and not walk people. There is usually a reason for not hitting the spot and it isn't for lack of trying. Pros even have periodic bouts with control. You want our guys to walk less. Stop talking about it. You also can't pitch afraid or looking over your shoulder the moment you take the mound. For the most part our pitchers aren't wild they just miss by a little. There is a huge difference from just missing and being wild. I would also argue that some walks aren't necessarily bad. Look at game two where FAU piled up 16 hits. If you pitch too fat you are not going to walk people but give up a ton of hits. People need to pay more attention to WHIP than walks. Hit and walk are same result. Our guys will be just fine. Stop with the fanatical focus on walks and instead focus on WHIP and watch results and walks go down. Plus we will give up less runs.

I see why your reputation is a -10!!

Yeah I am a minus 10 because I support our pitching staff