The Dynamic Duo: Dan Wheeler and Troy Percival Don't Blow It

by Erik Hahmann on Apr 18, 2009 9:00 AM EDT

Like every other Rays fan in the world, I held my breath/nearly threw up last night watching Dan Wheeler and Troy Percival attempt to get the final five outs of the game. However, unlike the back to back games where Wheeler turned a one run deficit into a five run deficit and Percival blew a tie game in the 9th inning, they actually came through this time, as ugly as it may have been.

Let's start with Wheeler. He came into the game with one out in the 8th inning and proceeded to strick out Dye and force Konerko to ground out to third. The results may have been there, but the process could still use work. According to PitchFX Wheeler's FourSeam fastball sat at an average velocity of 86.77MPH and topped out at 87, though the TV gun clocked it topping out at 89. Either way, considering in his first appearance his average velocity was 88mph, a nearly 2MPH drop is obviously not good. Although he didn't throw nearly as many pitches tonight as he did Tuesday the elevated release point that was a cause for concern in that game reared it's ugly head again tonight.

Tonight:

via www.brooksbaseball.net

Tuesday:

via brooksbaseball.dustinkikuchi.com

So even though Wheeler did his job tonight, there's still place for concern.

Troy Percival always seems to make it an adventure. I wish there was one specific problem I could point to that is causing him to be less effective, but there's not. Instead of relentlessly bashing Percival for scaring the bejesus out of everyone tonight, I'll just leave you with his Strikezone Plot for the night. Alexi Ramirez...god bless your little Cuban soul for striking out on a pitch at eyebrow level.

via www.brooksbaseball.net

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It seemed to me that

Wheeler threw a lot more curve balls, at least according to the scoreboard, and no sliders. As for Percival, the stadium gun was clocking him in the 90-93 range. It seemed to us that after the first two outs the umpire tightened the strike zone, but I cannot be certain of that. Still, in terms of results, with two outs he gave up a ground ball single (hard hit it seemed to me) and a walk on what seemed like pretty good pitches before getting the weak popup for the third out. I hope Maddon’s claims that he was throwing very well are well-founded and not simply motivational.

by bobr on Apr 18, 2009 9:20 AM EDT reply actions

As for Percival, the stadium gun was clocking him in the 90-93 range.

i think he was topping out at 90 on the SunSports gun, averaging about 88-89 for the fastball.

by walkoffwalk on Apr 18, 2009 9:44 AM EDT up reply actions

That is correct

by Erik Hahmann on Apr 18, 2009 11:06 AM EDT up reply actions

Bob, PitchFX has him throwing 2 curve balls and 2 sliders.

by Erik Hahmann on Apr 18, 2009 11:06 AM EDT up reply actions

I am guessing the

stadium scoreboard is not particularly accurate as to velocity or pitch type. I know I commented to my son at the time that I saw a lot of curves from Wheeler and no sliders, although now that I think further, I think it was right after that that a pitch was labeled slider.

Strange on the velocity because it always seemed to me the stadium figures were low in the past. I am pretty certain I saw quite a few Percival pitches listed at 91-93.

What about the SunSports clocking of Thornton’s pitches? The stadium had him at 94-95, and I think I remember a 96 reading. I was also surprised to see a couple of 94 readings on Colon. Does the SunSports gun concur?

by bobr on Apr 18, 2009 5:29 PM EDT up reply actions

Whoa.

I didn’t see the Colon reading, but Gameday had him topping out at 92.

by R.J. Anderson on Apr 18, 2009 5:34 PM EDT up reply actions

I hope so too, but there's just nothing I've seen to suggest that at this point.

by R.J. Anderson on Apr 18, 2009 12:01 PM EDT up reply actions

I know i'm in the minority, but at this point

Balfoir scares me more

I HATE the base on balls, in the late inning of a close game

by Raymondo on Apr 18, 2009 9:46 AM EDT reply actions

And you think Percival has more control?

Really?

Do explain. Because even the limited numbers we have so far this year don’t seem to indicate that Percival has control of his pitches.

by GomesSweetGomes on Apr 18, 2009 10:15 AM EDT up reply actions

Actually was referring to Wheeler

but yes, at this point, Pecy can throw more strikes than GB

by Raymondo on Apr 18, 2009 10:32 AM EDT up reply actions

Really?

Percival 49 pitches, 25 strikes aka 51%

Balfour 64 pitches, 36 strikes aka 56%

Seriously, you’re looking for something that’s not there. Balfour>Percy, Wheeler.

The appearance in Baltimore was awful we get it, but the game was well in hand. He game in the game with an 11-0 lead. In the other three appearances he has throw 40 pitches and 26 strikes. That’s 65% strikes. Beside that Baltimore appearance he has 1 walk in all his other appearances.

www.draysbay.com

by Tommy Rancel on Apr 18, 2009 10:44 AM EDT up reply actions

Tommy, i hope they all

turn out to be effective, but it’s not just BAL

It’s the ALCS and ST location and his past problems with location that have me concerned

Let time be the judge

by Raymondo on Apr 18, 2009 10:55 AM EDT up reply actions

So you're going to judge him based off of the ALCS and ST?

Two small sample sizes, and choose to ignore his entire 2008 season or his start of 2009? That seems smart.

by Erik Hahmann on Apr 18, 2009 11:09 AM EDT up reply actions

As i said, i'm in the minority

and i was mainly comparing him to Wheeler as far as strike throwing goes

Could ’08 be an aberration? I hope not—as i said, time will tell

by Raymondo on Apr 18, 2009 11:22 AM EDT up reply actions

You're in the minority because you refuse you believe statistics

That stare you in the face.

by Erik Hahmann on Apr 18, 2009 11:24 AM EDT up reply actions

Not trying to be sarcastic

but life is based on one stat, no matter what your profession and that is, “what have you done for me lately”?

by Raymondo on Apr 18, 2009 11:27 AM EDT up reply actions

You're an idiot

by Erik Hahmann on Apr 18, 2009 11:29 AM EDT up reply actions

and i'm the one who gets banned

it’s a discussion, a matter of opinion. I can inter pet the stats as well as you, however at some point the game is played between the lines and sometimes you move on your gut feelings

wouldn’t stats say Kapler was the better choice to PH v the :HP Thornton last night? Without checking i’d bet he’s way better than Zo in that category

by Raymondo on Apr 18, 2009 11:36 AM EDT up reply actions

Interpet

by GomesSweetGomes on Apr 18, 2009 1:54 PM EDT up reply actions

Also

One decision in one game disproves the usefulness as ‘Stats’ as a whole? No need to continue this discussion if you seriously believe this to be true. May as well go with our collective ‘guts’ and give the ball to J.P. Howell to start the game, stats be damned.

by GomesSweetGomes on Apr 18, 2009 2:02 PM EDT up reply actions

i think stats are very important

and honestly believe Friedman has built the team around them

I’m sure Maddon is aware of all these options when it’s decision time, yet on some occasions, its a gut feeling, like last night when he used Wheeler over Balfour and Zo over Kapler

by Raymondo on Apr 18, 2009 2:13 PM EDT up reply actions

Balfour pitched the previous two games.

Stop trying to make up things that aren’t there.

Today, we are all Honkballers.

by RATW on Apr 18, 2009 2:15 PM EDT up reply actions

Right

But you seemed to be saying the exception disproves the rule. It doesn’t.

by GomesSweetGomes on Apr 18, 2009 2:17 PM EDT up reply actions

Maddon also used Nathan Haynes to beat Boston early last year

It proves nothing, other than the fact that anyone at the Major League level is capable of success in nearly any situation, provided you make your sample size small enough.

by GomesSweetGomes on Apr 18, 2009 2:20 PM EDT up reply actions

Let's get one thing straight

i’m a big believer in stats

ALL i’m saying is given those stats, sometimes a manager plays a hunch
l
All 25 guys at some point have to hep you win

That’s what makes it such a great game

by Raymondo on Apr 18, 2009 2:57 PM EDT up reply actions

Well I think the misunderstanding

Is in the fact you decided to bring this up in the midst of a conversation on whether Balfour is better than Wheeler (and originally Percival).

There is a difference between the ‘hunches’ or whatever a manager may have in a given situation, and saying that Wheeler > Balfour. You even went so far as to say this was based on playoff and ST performances. You offered the fact that Maddon used Wheeler last night as proof.

If you’re backtracking, that’s fine….nothing wrong with it. But a manager having a hunch in one game does nothing to prove that Wheeler > Balfour. In fact, the way you describe it, I’d go so far as to call it a tacit admission that in most situations Balf > Wheels (much like you seem to admit that in most situations Kapler > Zobrist).

by GomesSweetGomes on Apr 18, 2009 3:27 PM EDT up reply actions

His career FIP is lower than Percy's or Isringhausen's.

by R.J. Anderson on Apr 18, 2009 11:36 AM EDT up reply actions

RJ before this gets WAY blown out

of shape, i said i liked Wheeler more because AT THIS TIME he is throwing more strikes than Balfour—sheesh

by Raymondo on Apr 18, 2009 11:39 AM EDT up reply actions

The trick with Grant is to get him pissed off

Yell at him while he is warming up. Tell him Australia sucks the nuts. Anything. When he is at the mound during his cursing routine he is very very good. But when he is up there truly trying to “think” about pitching then thats when he gets in trouble

Just my two cents.

by matthan on Apr 18, 2009 10:48 AM EDT reply actions

'Midnight Oil, Men at Work, John Butler, Steve Irwin, Keith Urban, Paul Hogan, Mel Gibson, Kate Blanchett, Russell Crowe, and Ian Thorpe SUCK!!!!!!!!!!

by GomesSweetGomes on Apr 18, 2009 2:28 PM EDT up reply actions

Don't leave out Nick Cave.

I AM THE KING. I AM THE KING.

by Suttree on Apr 18, 2009 2:48 PM EDT up reply actions

It looked like both of them were getting squeezed.

by R.J. Anderson on Apr 18, 2009 11:42 AM EDT reply actions

This.

Swav or Die.

by SRQman on Apr 18, 2009 11:50 AM EDT up reply actions

Seriously... Percy didn't pitch well

He just got lucky that Starvin’ Marvin swings at EVERYTHING.

BTW Alexei, here in America, you are being paid millions of dollars, which can, if you so choose it, be spent on food. You can eat like, three meals a day if you want to. With snacks, even. For the love of all that is holy, EAT!!!!

Looking at that guy always makes me cringe. Maybe he should hang out with Percy for awhile after the games, they can chat it up at McDonalds or Taco Bell.

by ChiBurbRaysFan on Apr 18, 2009 11:56 AM EDT reply actions

Hindsight is 20/20 but I really wish we signed

Fuentes, Affeldt, Ohman, or even Beimel in the off season.

by floridaroar on Apr 18, 2009 12:05 PM EDT reply actions

Fuentes is not off to a good start in LA

just so you know

"Yeah, I am not the old annoying guy next door. Heck, I don't even know who i am"

by 4QB on Apr 18, 2009 3:43 PM EDT up reply actions

why would we sign Ohman or Fuentes

Fuentes would’ve cost way too much, Ohman instead of Shouse/Choate would’ve been fine, but there is little reason to have both

by Navi's_Navy on Apr 18, 2009 5:58 PM EDT up reply actions

For how much,

in place of whom and why? Keeping in mind these contracts:
Fuentes: 2 years/$17.5 million plus vesting option for year 3 at $9 million that kicks in automatically if he finishes
55 games in 2010.

Affeldt: 2/$8 million

Beimel: 1/$2 million

Ohman: 1/$1.55 million

More than likely the Rays would have had to top those contracts, either in years or money, to acquire any one of them.

The Rays signed 4 free agent relievers:
Shouse: 1/$1.55 million

Nelson: 1/$1.3 million

Isringhausen: 1/$.75 million

Cormier: 1/$.675 million

by bobr on Apr 18, 2009 5:58 PM EDT up reply actions