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Mission Impossible: Solving Jake Arrieta

His historic 2015 season, which culminated in receiving the NL Cy Young Award, was mind boggling from a statistical standpoint, especially the last two months of the season. During that stretch, which included 12 starts, he allowed just four earned runs in 84 IP (.41 ERA). Batters had a .182 OBP against Arrieta during the last two months of the season.
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So far in 2016, Jake Arrieta has picked up right where he left off last season. He already has a no-hitter under his belt this season (just nine starts clear of his no-hitter from last season).
Is there a way to solve Arrieta? I mean, no one certainly has shown that is even a remote possibility, but let’s take a look a bit further at what makes him so good, and see if we can draw any logical conclusions.
Diving into the numbers a bit further, it’s easy to see why Arrieta is so tough.
In looking at his batted ball statistics, you will see a stark difference between 2015/16 (when seemingly out of no where became the best pitcher in baseball) and his previous seasons in the big leagues, where he found marginal success.
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Who Owns October In MLB Playoffs 2015? (#WOO) Tallies Updated For October 12, 2015
Time to figure out who owns October!
Each winning team for every post season game gets a pitcher and a hitter who earn a full WOO (Who Owns October.)
And at my discretion, I award a 1/2 WOO’S to a worthy player on the losing team.
At the end of the post season, we will see who had the highest WOO total as a pitcher and a hitter.
A complete description of the rules can be found HERE.
From October 12th. AL & NL Division Series:
Receiving 1 WOO’s
Jake Arrieta did not have his best stuff. But his 9 strikeouts in 5 2/3 innings was enough to earn the 8-6 Cubs victory over St. Louis.
Travis d’Arnaud broke open a close game with a 2 run homer, finishing the game with three hits, three runs scored and three RBI as the Mets demolished the Dodgers 13-7.
Wade Davis threw a 6 out save, squelching any hope for a Houston comeback and sealing the 9-6 victory for the Royals.
R. A. Dickey allowed 5 hits, 1 run and no walks over 4 2/3 innings. He was taken out before he was eligible for the win, but was pitching just fine in Toronto’s 8-4 win against the Rangers.
Matt Harvey may not have looked like an ace, but he pitched well enough to win. He struck out 7 in 5 innings, allowing 3 runs, 2 earned and got the 13-7 decision for the Mets over the Dodgers.
Eric Hosmer went 2 for 5 with a homer and 3 RBI and helped the Royals dizzying comeback against Houston, 9-6.
Kevin Pillar collected 3 hits including a homer, driving in 3 to help the Blue Jays stay alive in the series, 8-4 against Texas.
Jorge Soler reached base 4 times, including a homer, driving in 2 and leading the Cubs in an unexpected slug fest win, 8-6 over St. Louis.
Receiving 1/2 WOO’s
Current ‘WOO’ Totals MLB 2015:
Hitters ‘WOO’ MLB 2015,
Delino DeShields – Rangers 2, Jorge Soler – Cubs 2, Colby Rasmus – Astros 1 1/2, Jose Altuve – Astros 1, Chris Carter – Astros 1, Travis d’Arnaud – Mets 1, Dexter Fowler – Cubs 1, Eric Hosmer – Royals 1, Salvador Perez – Royals 1, Kevin Pillar – Blue Jays 1, Stephen Piscotty – Cardinals 1, Troy Tulowitzki – Blue Jays 1, Justin Turner – Dodgers 1, David Wright – Mets 1, Lorenzo Cain – Royals 1/2, Francisco Cervelli – Pirates 1/2, Yoenis Cespedes – Mets 1/2, Carlos Correa – Astros 1/2, Edwin Encarnacion – Blue Jays 1/2, Adrian Gonzalez – Dodgers 1/2, Didi Gregorius – Yankees 1/2, Jason Heyward – Cardinals 1/2, Howie Kendrick – Dodgers 1/2, Kendrys Morales – Royals 1/2, Rougned Odor – Rangers 1/2, Ben Revere – Blue Jays 1/2, Kyle Schwarber – Cubs 1/2, Kolten Wong – Cardinals 1/2,
Pitchers ‘WOO’ MLB 2015,
Jake Arrieta – Cubs 2, Wade Davis – Royals 2, Dallas Keuchel – Astros 2, Jake Arrieta – Cubs 1, Jacob deGrom – Mets 1, R. A. Dickey – Blue Jays 1, Jake Diekman – Rangers 1, Marco Estrada – Blue Jays 1, Zack Greinke – Dodgers 1, Cole Hamels – Rangers 1, Matt Harvey – Mets 1, John Lackey – Cardinals 1, Collin McHugh – Astros 1, Travis Wood – Cubs 1, Clayton Kershaw – Dodgers 1/2, Jon Lester – Cubs 1/2, Lance McCullers – Astros 1/2, Marcus Stroman – Blue Jays 1/2, Noah Syndergaard – Mets 1/2, Chris Young – Royals 1/2,
Who Owns October In MLB Playoffs 2015? (#WOO) Tallies Updated For October 11, 2015
The Blue Jays win will ensure one more day where 4 games are played. Meanwhile I don’t think Houston has loved Dallas this much EVER!
Time to figure out who owns October!
Each winning team for every post season game gets a pitcher and a hitter who earn a full WOO (Who Owns October.)
And at my discretion, I award a 1/2 WOO’S to a worthy player on the losing team.
At the end of the post season, we will see who had the highest WOO total as a pitcher and a hitter.
A complete description of the rules can be found HERE.
From October 10th. NL Division Series Game 2:
Receiving 1 WOO’s
Chris Carter collected 3 hits including a double and a homer to lead Houston’s attack as they beat the Royals 4-2.
Marco Estrada went into the 7th and finished with 6 1/3 innings, allowing 5 hits 1 runs and no walks and earned a season saving victory for the Blue Jays over Texas, 5-1.
Dallas Keuchel pitched 7 strong innings, striking out 7 and allowing 5 hits, including a solo homer for his only earned run, and was credit with the Astros 4-2 win over the Royals.
Troy Tulowitzki reached base 3 times, broke open the game with a 3 run homer and drove in 4 of the Blue Jays 5 runs as they won in Texas 5-1.
Receiving 1/2 WOO’s
Lorenzo Cain homered and walked but his Royals fell to the Astros, 4-2.
Rougned Odor drove in the Rangers only run and helped turn 3 double plays in the field in the Blue Jays 5-1 victory.
Current ‘WOO’ Totals MLB 2015:
Hitters ‘WOO’ MLB 2015,
Delino DeShields – Rangers 2, Colby Rasmus – Astros 1 1/2, Jose Altuve – Astros 1, Chris Carter – Astros 1, Marco Estrada – Blue Jays 1, Dexter Fowler – Cubs 1, Salvador Perez – Royals 1, Stephen Piscotty – Cardinals 1, Jorge Soler – Cubs 1, Troy Tulowitzki – Blue Jays 1, Justin Turner – Dodgers 1, David Wright – Mets 1, Lorenzo Cain – Royals 1/2, Francisco Cervelli – Pirates 1/2, Yoenis Cespedes – Mets 1, Edwin Encarnacion – Blue Jays 1/2, Didi Gregorius – Yankees 1/2, Howie Kendrick – Dodgers 1/2, Kendrys Morales – Royals 1/2, Rougned Odor – Rangers 1/2, Ben Revere – Blue Jays 1/2, Kyle Schwarber – Cubs 1/2, Kolten Wong – Cardinals 1/2,
Pitchers ‘WOO’ MLB 2015,
Dallas Keuchel – Astros 2, Jake Arrieta – Cubs 1, Wade Davis – Royals 1, Jacob deGrom – Mets 1, Jake Diekman – Rangers 1, Zack Greinke – Dodgers 1, Cole Hamels – Rangers 1, John Lackey – Cardinals 1, Collin McHugh – Astros 1, Travis Wood – Cubs 1, Clayton Kershaw – Dodgers 1/2, Jon Lester – Cubs 1/2, Marcus Stroman – Blue Jays 1/2, Noah Syndergaard – Mets 1/2, Chris Young – Royals 1/2,
Who Owns October In MLB Playoffs 2015? (#WOO) Tallies Updated For October 10, 2015
I could poke the flames and rattle some cages and say Chase Utley owned October, but even I won’t do THAT!
Time to figure out who owns October!
Each winning team for every post season game gets a pitcher and a hitter who earn a full WOO (Who Owns October.)
And at my discretion, I award a 1/2 WOO’S to a worthy player on the losing team.
At the end of the post season, we will see who had the highest WOO total as a pitcher and a hitter.
A complete description of the rules can be found HERE.
From October 10th. NL Division Series Game 2:
Receiving 1 WOO’s
Zack Greinke pitched 7 strong innings, allowing 5 hits, 2 runs on a pair of solo homers, striking out 8 and walking no Mets batters. He was the beneficiary of some strange calls that helped him earn the 5-2 victory for the Dodgers.
Jorge Soler reached base 4 times with a double, a homer and a pair of RBI to lead the Cubs past the Cardinals, 6-3.
Justin Turner doubled twice, driving in one and scoring another in the bizarre 5-2 come from behind Dodger win over the Mets.
Travis Wood threw 2 1/3 shutout innings, allowing 1 hit and no walks while striking out 2 and earning the decision in relief as the Cubs topped St. Louis, 6-3.
Receiving 1/2 WOO’s
Current ‘WOO’ Totals MLB 2015:
Hitters ‘WOO’ MLB 2015,
Delino DeShields – Rangers 2, Colby Rasmus – Astros 1 1/2, Jose Altuve – Astros 1, Dexter Fowler – Cubs 1, Salvador Perez – Royals 1, Stephen Piscotty – Cardinals 1, Jorge Soler – Cubs 1, Justin Turner – Dodgers 1, David Wright – Mets 1, Francisco Cervelli – Pirates 1/2, Yoenis Cespedes – Mets 1, Edwin Encarnacion – Blue Jays 1/2, Didi Gregorius – Yankees 1/2, Howie Kendrick – Dodgers 1/2, Kendrys Morales – Royals 1/2, Ben Revere – Blue Jays 1/2, Kyle Schwarber – Cubs 1/2, Kolten Wong – Cardinals 1/2,
Pitchers ‘WOO’ MLB 2014,
Jake Arrieta – Cubs 1, Wade Davis – Royals 1, Jacob deGrom – Mets 1, Jake Diekman – Rangers 1, Zack Greinke – Dodgers 1, Cole Hamels – Rangers 1, Dallas Keuchel – Astros 1, John Lackey – Cardinals 1, Collin McHugh – Astros 1, Travis Wood – Cubs 1, Clayton Kershaw – Dodgers 1/2, Jon Lester – Cubs 1/2, Marcus Stroman – Blue Jays 1/2, Noah Syndergaard – Mets 1/2, Chris Young – Royals 1/2,
Who Owns October In MLB Playoffs 2015? (#WOO) Tallies Updated For October 9, 2015
THIS is more like it! 4 games. All were hotly contested. Some controversy was had in one game. A bone headed managerial decision was in another.
Time to figure out who owns October!
Each winning team for every post season game gets a pitcher and a hitter who earn a full WOO (Who Owns October.)
And at my discretion, I award a 1/2 WOO’S to a worthy player on the losing team.
At the end of the post season, we will see who had the highest WOO total as a pitcher and a hitter.
A complete description of the rules can be found HERE.
From October 8th. AL and NL Division Series:
Receiving 1 WOO’s
Wade Davis slammed the door in the 9th with a key pick off thrown in for good measure as he earned the 5-4 save for Kansas City over Houston.
Jacob deGrom simply dominated the Dodgers with 7 shutout innings, allowing 5 hits and 1 walk while striking out an eye popping 13 batters and pitching the Mets to a dramatic 3-1 Game 1 victory.
Delino DeShields went 3 for 7, doubled, scored in the first and drove in a run in the 14th to help the Rangers win a wild and controversial 14 inning 6-4 game in Toronto.
Cole Hamels pitched a solid game, allowing 2 earned runs and 2 unearned runs over 7 innings, walking none. He got a no decision but the Rangers went on to beat the Blue Jays, 6-4 to 14 innings.
John Lackey dominated the Cubs by pitching into the 8th, finishing with 7 1/3 shutout innings, 2 hits, 1 walk and 5 strikeouts, earning the 4-0 decision for St. Louis.
Salvador Perez homered, singled and walked, driving in 2 runs and helping the Royals come from behind to beat the Astros, 5-4.
Stephen Piscotty doubled and homered, driving in 2 and helped turn a one run game into a 4-0 Cardinals shutout of the Cubs.
Receiving 1/2 WOO’s
Howie Kendrick doubled, singled and scored the Dodgers only run in their 3-1 loss to the Mets.
Clayton Kershaw struck out 11 and gave up just a solo homer going into the 7th. He walked the bases full in the 7th and was pulled after only 6 2/3 innings. The bullpen allowed a pair of his runners to score and got the decision in the Dodgers 3-1 loss to the Mets.
Jon Lester allowed just 1 run to the Cardinals over the first 7 innings. But he gave up a pair of insurance runs in the 8th, finishing with a solid 7 1/3 innings, 9 strikeouts, 1 walk and 3 run performance but took the 4-0 Cubs loss.
Colby Rasmus reached base 3 times, including a homer and a double, driving in a pair. But the Astros would blow their lead and fall to KC, 5-4.
Current ‘WOO’ Totals MLB 2015:
Hitters ‘WOO’ MLB 2015,
Delino DeShields – Rangers 2, Colby Rasmus – Astros 1 1/2, Jose Altuve – Astros 1, Dexter Fowler – Cubs 1, Salvador Perez – Royals 1, Stephen Piscotty – Cardinals 1, David Wright – Mets 1, Francisco Cervelli – Pirates 1/2, Edwin Encarnacion – Blue Jays 1/2, Didi Gregorius – Yankees 1/2, Howie Kendrick – Dodgers 1/2, Kendrys Morales – Royals 1/2, Ben Revere – Blue Jays 1/2, Kyle Schwarber – Cubs 1/2.
Pitchers ‘WOO’ MLB 2014,
Jake Arrieta – Cubs 1, Wade Davis – Royals 1, Jacob deGrom – Mets 1, Jake Diekman – Rangers 1, Cole Hamels – Rangers 1, Dallas Keuchel – Astros 1, John Lackey – Cardinals 1, Collin McHugh – Astros 1, Clayton Kershaw – Dodgers 1/2, Jon Lester – Cubs 1/2, Marcus Stroman – Blue Jays 1/2, Chris Young – Royals 1/2,
Who Owns October In MLB Playoffs 2015? (#WOO) Tallies Updated For October 8, 2015
4 games in. So far none of them have been exactly classics. The road team has won each game by taking early leads and not looking back. At least today had scoring on both sides!
Time to figure out who owns October!
Each winning team for every post season game gets a pitcher and a hitter who earn a full WOO (Who Owns October.)
And at my discretion, I award a 1/2 WOO’S to a worthy player on the losing team.
At the end of the post season, we will see who had the highest WOO total as a pitcher and a hitter.
A complete description of the rules can be found HERE.
From October 8th. AL Division Series Game 1:
Receiving 1 WOO’s
Jose Altuve went 3 for 5 with a run scored and an RBI to spark the Astros offense past the defending AL Champion Royals, 5-2.
Delino DeShields drove in the first run of the game and came around to score another, collecting a single and a double and leading the Rangers to a stunning 5-3 series opening win in Toronto.
Jake Diekman pitched a perfect 7th and 8th innings, keeping the strong Blue Jays attack from mounting a rally and set up the Rangers taking the series opener, 5-3.
Collin McHugh pitched 6 strong innings, including sitting through an extended rain delay, allowing 2 runs, 4 hits and 1 walk to earn a victory in Game 1 of the Division Series for the Astros, 5-2 in Kansas City.
Receiving 1/2 WOO’s
Edwin Encarnacion went 2 for 4 with an RBI but the mighty Blue Jays came up short against Texas, 5-3.
Kendrys Morales provided all of the Royals offense with a pair of solo homers in the 5-2 loss to the Astros.
Chris Young came out of the pen after the rain delay to throw 4 innings, striking out 7 and allowing just 1 run on a solo homer. The damage had been done, however, and Houston beat the Royals, 5-2
Current ‘WOO’ Totals MLB 2015:
Hitters ‘WOO’ MLB 2015,
Jose Altuve – Astros 1, Delino DeShields – Rangers 1, Dexter Fowler – Cubs 1, Colby Rasmus – Astros 1, Francisco Cervelli – Pirates 1/2, Edwin Encarnacion – Blue Jays 1/2, Didi Gregorius – Yankees 1/2, Kendrys Morales – Royals 1/2,
Pitchers ‘WOO’ MLB 2014,
Jake Arrieta – Cubs 1, Jake Diekman – Rangers 1, Dallas Keuchel – Astros 1, Collin McHugh – Astros 1, Chris Young – Royals 1/2,
Who Owns October In MLB Playoffs 2015? (#WOO) Tallies Updated For 2015 NL Wild Card Game
The Wild Card round is over and so far pitching has been the key. Both road teams won and both aces showed they are studs.
Time to figure out who owns October!
Each winning team for every post season game gets a pitcher and a hitter who earn a full WOO (Who Owns October.)
And at my discretion, I award a 1/2 WOO’S to a worthy player on the losing team.
At the end of the post season, we will see who had the highest WOO total as a pitcher and a hitter.
A complete description of the rules can be found HERE.
From October 7th. NL Wild Card Game:
Receiving 1 WOO’s
Jake Arrieta threw a complete game 4 hit shutout, walking none and striking out 11 to beat Pittsburgh 4-0 and advance the Cubs to the Division Series.
Dexter Fowler collected 3 hits, including a homer, scoring 3 runs to spark the Cubs 4-0 defeat of the Pirates.
Receiving 1/2 WOO’s
Francisco Cervelli was the only Pirates batter to reach base twice, once with a hit and once with a hit by pitch. He would never score as the Cubs prevailed, 4-0.
Current ‘WOO’ Totals MLB 2015:
Hitters ‘WOO’ MLB 2015,
Dexter Fowler – Cubs 1, Colby Rasmus – Astros 1, Francisco Cervelli – Pirates 1/2, Didi Gregorius – Yankees 1/2,
Pitchers ‘WOO’ MLB 2014,
Jake Arrieta – Cubs 1, Dallas Keuchel – Astros 1,
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