Do you think matchups are overrated?

[TexasCheesehead]

I've never given much credence to batter vs pitcher match-ups. You'll often hear announcers talk about how a particular batter has struggled against so-and-so pitcher, but do managers actually take those matchups into account when making decisions on pinch hitters and lineups? Obviously, the lefty vs right-hander is a legitimate factor, but do certain pitchers really fare better against certain batters or is it moreso just certain batters perform better against certain types of pitches?

 

Just a thought I had a little while ago before submitting my 'beat the streak' selection.

[MadScientist]

They are all pretty much small sample size, if you are talking individuals instead of more generic lefty-righty match-ups. Still it is possible that it gets in the players heads, and maybe in a few cases a batter just sees a pitcher better or worse.

[TexasCheesehead]

They are all pretty much small sample size, if you are talking individuals instead of more generic lefty-righty match-ups. Still it is possible that it gets in the players heads, and maybe in a few cases a batter just sees a pitcher better or worse.

 

I'm talking about individual matchups.

[istanbultaye]

I think there is something to them, but if you're determining when to pinch hit or set a lineup, it shouldn't be the first thing looked at. But, if we are comparing which of the three second basemen on the team to start on a given day, and one of them is 10/20 with 2 HR against the starting pitcher, might as well go with them. Now, if someone was to try to pinch hit for Christian Yelich with Eric Sogard because of a small sample matchup, that would be a foolish move.

[jerichoholicninja]

Earl Weaver had an interesting take on matchups. He didn't really care about lefty or righty but more so what the pitcher threw. If he threw hard he would go with a guy that could catch up with the fastball. If he had a good curve he would go with a guy who could handle breaking balls. Unless you have extreme R/L splits that makes more sense to me, especially for late game pinch hitting.

[OnaBadger58]

They are all pretty much small sample size, if you are talking individuals instead of more generic lefty-righty match-ups. Still it is possible that it gets in the players heads, and maybe in a few cases a batter just sees a pitcher better or worse.

 

I'm talking about individual matchups.

 

For the most part, I would say yes. But there are also cases like Travis Shaw vs. Ivan Nova. 11-H 14-AB with 2-2Bs & 3-HRs.

[3and2Fastball]

Earl Weaver had an interesting take on matchups. He didn't really care about lefty or righty but more so what the pitcher threw. If he threw hard he would go with a guy that could catch up with the fastball. If he had a good curve he would go with a guy who could handle breaking balls. Unless you have extreme R/L splits that makes more sense to me, especially for late game pinch hitting.

 

Is that in reference to pinch hitters? The Orioles under Weaver used a lot of Lefty/Righty platoons

[jerichoholicninja]

Earl Weaver had an interesting take on matchups. He didn't really care about lefty or righty but more so what the pitcher threw. If he threw hard he would go with a guy that could catch up with the fastball. If he had a good curve he would go with a guy who could handle breaking balls. Unless you have extreme R/L splits that makes more sense to me, especially for late game pinch hitting.

 

Is that in reference to pinch hitters? The Orioles under Weaver used a lot of Lefty/Righty platoons

 

I believe he was specifically talking about pinch hitters. Although I think there would be value to using it for setting a starting lineup too. For example, Corey Hart should have never started against a RHP who threw a slider.

[brewcrewdue80]

Nope. You could have a hitter weak against 95+ and another weak againt curve balls who pounds fastballs. Youd start the guy weak againt 95+ vs that 20%+ thrown curveball pitcher. Save the other player on bench for that high velocity RP late in a game.

 

Lefty/righty matchups I know you said a lil against that type. But the manager is going to set a lineup that is advantageous to that matchup.

 

Ive paid attention, and seen a Lefty dominate 6pitches 2lefty strikeouts. Next batter a righty, and suddenly wild, nibbling the plate at best. Give up a hit. Next bat a lefty, 4 pitch k.

same for some righties vs leftys. Its psychological. Guy looks good, but then pitches not wanting anything to with the other side batter.

 

CC im sure sees this and plays to it the occasions he can.

[645]

They are very small Sample size and they most likely offer very little value. However, If the both Hitter and Pitcher have been in the league for 4 or 5 years and there have been 20 to 30 Matchups between them then there is enough sample size there to put some faith into it.

 

But remember you could have a .270 Lifetime hitter that could be have a lifetime 1 for 8 againt a given pitcher and in terms of numbers the next time they matchup it would be in favor of the Hitter because he would be below Average and would be due to get a hit.

[MrTPlush]

I am a big believer in match-ups once it gets over 15 lifetime ABs against said pitcher. As long as there isn’t a massive separation between all the ABs. I’d even consider it with less ABs if it shows massive strggles (like 6 Ks in 8 ABs). They tend to hold true most of the time.

[Ennder]

Matchups are pretty much worthless because they focus too much on the results. You can be 4 for 8 against a pitcher and never hit a ball hard. The way matchups are tracked is inherently flawed.

[istanbultaye]

one would hope that the team's proprietary analytics give a bit better detail than the broadcast matchups, but that said, I think they should only be used when deciding between 2 comparable players for the most part.