The Daily The Sunday Read: ‘How Analytics Marginalized Baseball’s Superstar Pitchers’
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Apr 20, 2025 The podcast reveals how analytics have transformed the role of starting pitchers in baseball. It highlights the remarkable debut of rookie Paul Skenes, who struck out ten batters in a single game. As teams prioritize data-driven strategies, starting pitchers face reduced workloads and the rise of relievers. This shift raises questions about the balance between individual achievements and team performance. The episode also examines the evolving landscape of talent assessment and the challenges pitchers encounter in adapting to modern practices.
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Skeens' Early No-Hitter Removal
- Paul Skeens struck out the first seven batters and had a no-hitter through six innings in only his second major league game.
- Despite his dominance, he was removed after 100 pitches, ending a potential historic no-hitter early.
Analytics Shift Pitching Roles
- Analytics revealed a key advantage: relief pitchers become more effective than starters after a certain inning.
- This challenges the old tradition where starters conserved energy to pitch deep into games.
Complete Games Becoming Rare
- Starters now rarely finish games, even when throwing no-hitters, reducing opportunities to witness pitching greatness.
- The data-driven strategy prioritizes health and effectiveness over complete-game milestones.