When did Todd Jones replace Valverde?

[dubbsco]

Holy shit balls. Definitely not as smooth as last year.

 

[manchild98]

Holy shit balls. Definitely not as smooth as last year.

He wasn't smooth last year either. He just always got it done. But many of his nights were like tonight.

 

[dubbsco]

Eh, everyone has been saying his stuff just isn't quite there this season. Without checking every game log he was in last season, I just feel like I've been having panic attacks a lot more this season when he comes in.

 

[spockmaster]

it was when valverde completely abandoned his splitter and started using only his fastball. he's not rivera, he cant do that. noone can.

 

[tomdalton22]

He was more lucky than good last year. I hope he is gone next year.

 

[hellifino]

He was more lucky than good last year. I hope he is gone next year.

this

 

[byco42]

it was when valverde completely abandoned his splitter and started using only his fastball. he's not rivera, he cant do that. noone can.

Rivera threw a cutter; not a fastball.

 

[cmlfactor]

He's still better than Jones. I don't know how Jones made such a long career out of being a closer.

 

[spockmaster]

Rivera threw a cutter; not a fastball.

i know, i was getting more at the only using one pitch thing lol. probably shouldve been clearer.

 

[byco42]

i know, i was getting more at the only using one pitch thing lol. probably shouldve been clearer.

Reading your post again...and it's clear. I went momentarily into Kent Dorfman mode.

"Hi, Mario! You throwing a cutter?"

 

[Thumb]

Rivera threw a cutter; not a fastball.

Technically a cutter is a fastball, so it's really splitting hairs there.

 

[byco42]

Technically a cutter is a fastball, so it's really splitting hairs there.

*THUD*

I surrender my Kent Dorfman crown to you, the heir apparent.

 

[kalinecountry]

Reading your post again...and it's clear. I went momentarily into Kent Dorfman mode.

"Hi, Mario! You throwing a cutter?"

I am starting to suffer from CRS....
had to google, kent dorfman..... what a howl.

Valverde seems to throwing a higher percentage of FB than the splitter each year with Tigers.
http://www.fangraphs.com/statss.aspx?playerid=1726&position=P#pitchtype
2010 52% 2011/2012 20%.
for whatever the reason after 2010, he hasn't used the split nearly as much, his own control problems with the FB, and maybe hitters are just sitting on it.