One of the Rays most over-looked characteristics is the damage they inflict to teams on the basepaths. How well has Texas handled the running game this year?
The Rangers were run on 151 times this year versus a league average of 145. The good news is they were the third least successful in terms of Caught Stealing % at 23% compared to Boston's 20% and the Yankees' 15%. On the downside the two catchers who will likely be on the Rangers postseason roster are their best in terms of throwing runners out (Matt Treanor 28% and Bengie Molina 24%). Treanor as you might expect gets picked on slightly less often than Molina (6.4% vs 6.2% of stolen base opportunities).
So which pitchers will be easier or more difficult to steal against? Let's start with the always dangerous lefties. Cliff Lee has only been run on in 3.2% of opportunities since joining the Rangers. Three of the four attempts have been successful. CJ Wilson has been run on more in a surprisingly high 10.07% of opportunities. The high incidence is even more surprising when you note the low success rate of 72.4%. It doesn't get much easier against the righties. Tommy Hunter is run on in 3.7% of opportunities with a success rate of 71.4% and Colby Lewis is run on 5.7% of the time for a success rate of 76.5%.
The Rays should find an easier time running against the bullpen. The chart of relievers is listed below:
|
SBO |
SB |
CS |
SB% |
SBO |
Matt Harrison* |
153 |
5 |
1 |
83.3% |
3.9% |
Dustin Nippert |
110 |
12 |
1 |
92.3% |
11.8% |
Derek Holland* |
100 |
6 |
1 |
85.7% |
7.0% |
Darren Oliver* |
86 |
8 |
3 |
72.7% |
12.8% |
Neftali Feliz |
82 |
0 |
0 |
|
0.0% |
Darren O'Day |
69 |
3 |
1 |
75.0% |
5.8% |
Alexi Ogando |
67 |
6 |
1 |
85.7% |
10.5% |
Finally a look at the outfield arms reveals nothing exception or terribly awful. Nelson Cruz has been .7 Arms Runs Above Average for his career in right field. Julio Borbon is -2.6 arm runs in center, David Murphy is below average in right, but above average in left, and Josh Hamilton is the strongest at 1.6 runs above average in center-field. Outside of Hamilton, the Rays do not need to be any more careful than usual running on this outfield.