Dodgers News: Analyzing Three Takeaways from Game Two

The League has Figured out Maeda

Kenta Maeda slots in as the second starter for the Dodgers in their rotation this year, though realistically he is their third-best starting pitcher behind Rich Hill and, obviously, Clayton Kershaw.

The exit velocity against him was second best in the major leagues, a testament to his pinpoint control (3.52 K/BB ratio) and ability to generate soft contact. His overall numbers in 2016 seem to justify his second-starter placement. He pitched to a 3.52 ERA, claimed 16 wins, and struck out 179 batters in 175 2/3 innings.

But let’s take a closer look: Maeda had a 4.25 ERA in the second half of the season in 2016. His batting average against, which was .221 in the first half, ballooned to .254 in September and October. Perhaps most alarmingly, his home runs allowed per nine innings increased forty percent, rocketing from 0.91 in the first half to 1.25 in the second half.

And do not forget his 6.75 ERA in three playoff starts last year. He allowed four earned runs in three innings in the NLDS versus the Nationals and pitched to a 1.56 WHIP in his two starts against the Cubs.

So has the league figured him out? This could definitely be the case, and that is the direction of his pitching trends.