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Thursday, September 27, 2012

R.A. Dickey wins 20th game

RAD!

In the final 2012 game at Citi Field on Thursday, R.A. Dickey and the Mets rode out with a game to remember. Dickey, the Mets’ Cy Young Award candidate, spun 7-2/3 solid innings and David Wright’s three-run homer helped the knuckleballer win his 20th game in a superlative season with a 6-5 triumph over the Pirates before an enthralled crowd of 31,506.

The Mets relievers, who make up the worst bullpen in baseball, inherited a 6-3 lead and gave up a pair of runs in the ninth but ultimately closed out the win.

Dickey (20-6) became the first Mets pitcher since Frank Viola in 1990 to his the 20-win mark and the first knuckleballer to do it since Joe Niekro won 20 in 1980 for the Astros. The victory moves him into a tie for the major league lead - at least momentarily - with Washington’s Gio Gonzalez, who pitches later tonight. His career-high tying 13 strikeouts moved him into the league lead with 222. He did fall just behind the Dodgers’ Clayton Kershaw for the league lead in ERA, 2.68 to 2.69.

Repoz Posted: September 27, 2012 at 04:32 PM | 39 comment(s) Login to Bookmark
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1. cardsfanboy

Posted: September 27, 2012 at 04:40 PM (#4247485)

Hopefully he gets the Cy Young.

2. snapper (history's 42nd greatest monster) Posted: September 27, 2012 at 04:41 PM (#4247487)

Hopefully he gets the Cy Young.

Concur. Always root for the knuckleballer.

3. Moe Greene Posted: September 27, 2012 at 04:46 PM (#4247494)

More deserving than Cueto?

4. Monty Posted: September 27, 2012 at 04:47 PM (#4247495)

Awesome. Good for him!

5. Harveys Wallbangers

Posted: September 27, 2012 at 04:50 PM (#4247500)

congrats to r.a.

6. PreservedFish Posted: September 27, 2012 at 04:51 PM (#4247501)

He's 0.01 ERA off the pitching triple crown, I believe.

7. Chris Fluit Posted: September 27, 2012 at 04:52 PM (#4247503)

More deserving than Cueto?

Yes. Without looking at park adjusted numbers, Dickey has the better ERA, the better WHIP, the better K rate and more innings.

8. bread and rice Posted: September 27, 2012 at 05:01 PM (#4247512)

Yes. Without looking at park adjusted numbers, Dickey has the better ERA, the better WHIP, the better K rate and more innings.

And he throws the knuckleball, so he should win by default.

9. Don Geovany Soto (chris h.) Posted: September 27, 2012 at 05:05 PM (#4247515)

The two are awfully close, so yeah I think the knuckler should win the tiebreaker.

10. Steve Parris, Je t'aime Posted: September 27, 2012 at 05:14 PM (#4247522)

But Cueto has the Tiant turn!

11. Moe Greene Posted: September 27, 2012 at 05:16 PM (#4247526)

Yes. Without looking at park adjusted numbers, Dickey has the better ERA, the better WHIP, the better K rate and more innings.

Well, the park is a pretty significant factor. BR has 3-year pitching factors of 96 for Citi and 106 for GABP. Cueto actually has a better ERA+ (and has allowed 3 fewer unearned runs as well). And Baseball Prospectus indicates that Cueto has faced tougher hitters on average than Dickey has.

Cueto doesn't have a knuckleball, but he does have his own unique ability (for a RHP, at least): so far this year, he has 1 SB against and 9 pickoffs. And he picked off 2 Giants in the same inning earlier this year: Cueto is a ninja.

12. PreservedFish Posted: September 27, 2012 at 05:23 PM (#4247535)

Check Dickey's runner holding too. He's fantastic.

13. Conor Posted: September 27, 2012 at 05:27 PM (#4247542)

Well, the park is a pretty significant factor. BR has 3-year pitching factors of 96 for Citi and 106 for GABP. Cueto actually has a better ERA+ (and has allowed 3 fewer unearned runs as well). And Baseball Prospectus indicates that Cueto has faced tougher hitters on average than Dickey has.

Since they got rid of the wall in LF this year, I'm not sure how much you can rely on the 3 year park factor for Citi. No question it doesn't play as hitter friendly as Cincy, of course.

Dickey has 227 IP; so he's 17 ahead of Cueto right now, which isn't nothing. (Though Dickey just pitched today, does Cueto have 1 or 2 more starts left?) I'm a Mets fan, I'm rooting for Dickey to win it, but Cueto would be a fine choice as well. Dickey has the better K and BB numbers but I'm not sure how much of a difference that should make in the Cy voting.

Dickey has a realistic chance to lead the league in Wins, ERA, IP, K, and WHIP.

14. Fernigal McGunnigle has become a merry hat Posted: September 27, 2012 at 05:27 PM (#4247543)

He's 0.01 ERA off the pitching triple crown, I believe.

This is exciting, and he's got a real chance to win it. The ERA title is going to be something of a coin flip. He's all but sewn up IP. He's 11 Ks up on Kershaw, but Kershaw has (I think) two starts left.

Cueto's allowed 4 unearned runs, which is lowest among pitchers in the top 10 in ERA. Dickey's allowed 7.

EDIT:

(Though Dickey just pitched today, does Cueto have 1 or 2 more starts left?)

Cueto should just have 1 start left (he started on Tuesday). He also probably won't go deep into game, so he can be rested for the playoffs.

15. Moe Greene Posted: September 27, 2012 at 05:30 PM (#4247548)

Actually, looking more into the numbers I'm kind of surprised that Cueto's leading Dickey on BR's pitcher WAR. Cueto will still be ahead after Dickey's start today as well.

16. Bruce Markusen Posted: September 27, 2012 at 05:31 PM (#4247550)

I think Dickey is definitely going to win the Cy Young. All of his numbers are good, and 20 wins for a Mets team that doesn't score a lot of runs is going to seal it with the writers.

17. Austin Posted: September 27, 2012 at 05:46 PM (#4247562)

On an intellectual level, I agree that Dickey vs. Cueto should basically be a coin flip for all of the reasons mentioned above. And yet for some reason, I've always found Cueto to be an intensely boring pitcher. I don't know if anyone else agrees, but regardless, it makes it really hard for me to consider him on par with the intensely interesting Dickey on a gut-feel level.

18. thetailor Posted: September 27, 2012 at 05:52 PM (#4247564)

"Dickey, the Mets’ Cy Young Award candidate, spun 7-2/3 solid innings"

No he didn't! There was no spin at all.

19. Crispix Attacks 2: Swag Airlines Posted: September 27, 2012 at 05:53 PM (#4247565)

The two are awfully close, so yeah I think the knuckler should win the tiebreaker.

Also, the tie goes to the guy who didn't end another player's career by kicking him in the head.

20. Walt Davis Posted: September 27, 2012 at 06:03 PM (#4247578)

My vote still goes to Mike Trout.

21. cardsfanboy

Posted: September 27, 2012 at 06:05 PM (#4247582)

More deserving than Cueto?

I'm not sure there really is a more deserving among the type six candidates. If I had a vote, and as of right now I would go 1. Dickey. 2. Cueto, 3. Kershaw, 4. Lohse, 5. Gonzalez. I could be easily convinced (fully acknowledging homerism tendencies) to put Lohse ahead of Kershaw.

22. Steve Parris, Je t'aime Posted: September 27, 2012 at 06:07 PM (#4247584)

Also, the tie goes to the guy who didn't end another player's career by kicking him in the head.

Pretty foolish of Cueto to defend himself while pinned against the backstop during a brawl.

23. Moe Greene Posted: September 27, 2012 at 06:11 PM (#4247589)

And yet for some reason, I've always found Cueto to be an intensely boring pitcher.

As a Reds fan, I can vouch for this. He doesn't do anything especially interesting (besides kill the running game, I guess), but you look up 2 hours later and realize he's given up 2 runs in 7 innings. Very boring consistency.

24. Joey B. has ignited his October #Natitude Posted: September 27, 2012 at 06:12 PM (#4247592)

Ummm, there's a guy pitching tonight named Gio Gonzalez who is going to have something to say about this race as well.

25. Los Angeles El Hombre of Anaheim

Posted: September 27, 2012 at 06:20 PM (#4247595)

Gio'll be on the ballot, but not above Dickey or Cueto. Dickey's got 34 innings more of high-quality pitching over Gonzales. With his advantages in ERA and Ks, that's a lot of distance.

26. Never Give an Inge (Dave) Posted: September 27, 2012 at 06:40 PM (#4247608)

I really hope Dickey wins the pitching triple crown. That would be awesome. It's also possible he doesn't win any of the categories, of course. Gonzalez is going tonight and is tied in W. Kershaw is 11 behind in Ks and 0.01 up in ERA, but has 2 starts left to Dickey's 1.

27. Gonfalon Bubble Posted: September 27, 2012 at 07:09 PM (#4247615)

Ummm, there's a guy pitching tonight named Gio Gonzalez who is going to have something to say about this race as well.

But it'll probably be "Congratulations, R.A."

28. bunyon Posted: September 27, 2012 at 07:31 PM (#4247630)

Ummm, there's a guy pitching tonight named Gio Gonzalez who is going to have something to say about this race as well.

It appears that Gio is voting for either Dickey or Cueto.

29. depletion Posted: September 27, 2012 at 07:47 PM (#4247641)

What a bright spot in the otherwise mottled dark gray season! Hope RA gets the Cy, but Cueto would be a legit choice as well.

30. Mark S. is bored Posted: September 27, 2012 at 07:53 PM (#4247643)

Ummm, there's a guy pitching tonight named Gio Gonzalez who is going to have something to say about this race as well.

With 3 runs in the first inning, he's not saying anything useful.

31. Infinite Joost (Voxter)

Posted: September 27, 2012 at 08:31 PM (#4247664)

Tie goes to the dude who sounded smart on Terri Gross.

32. Esoteric throws a 'hard slider' Posted: September 27, 2012 at 08:58 PM (#4247679)

With 3 runs in the first inning, he's not saying anything useful

Still, he's in line to get the win.

Would it be nakedly cynical and opportunistic of me to suddenly argue that the guy with the most wins should get the Cy Young, given my advocacy for King Felix two years ago? Why yes, yes it would.

33. Bring Me the Head of Alfredo Griffin (Vlad) Posted: September 27, 2012 at 09:27 PM (#4247694)

Also, the tie goes to the guy who didn't end another player's career by kicking him in the head.

If you don't want to get hit on the head, don't rush out onto the field during a brawl and insert yourself into the scrum.

34. DKDC Posted: September 27, 2012 at 09:37 PM (#4247698)

The two are awfully close, so yeah I think the knuckler should win the tiebreaker.

I know I'm in the minority, but tie goes to the pitcher who's not excruciating to watch. Knuckleballers drive me batty.

35. bunyon Posted: September 27, 2012 at 09:41 PM (#4247703)

You can't be for Gio and enraged at the mere possibility that Cabrera might win the AL MVP.

By the way, despite Gio voting for Dickey and Cueto tonight, the Phillies apparently want Gio to win.

36. PreservedFish Posted: September 27, 2012 at 09:50 PM (#4247707)

I know I'm in the minority, but tie goes to the pitcher who's not excruciating to watch.

I'm with you.

Knuckleballers drive me batty.

RA Dickey is the most joyous and entertaining pitcher in baseball.

Ok, seriously, have you watched him pitch? You know that he throws a 80 mph knuckleball, and mixes in a 60 mph knuckleball? He is a blast to watch.

37. flournoy Posted: September 27, 2012 at 09:52 PM (#4247709)

I'd vote for Kimbrel, because a.) he's a Braves, and b.) it would piss people off.

38. Never Give an Inge (Dave) Posted: September 27, 2012 at 09:54 PM (#4247710)

I know I'm in the minority, but tie goes to the pitcher who's not excruciating to watch. Knuckleballers drive me batty.

Does Dickey, though? The guy is likely going to lead the league in K's and is third in WHIP. He has 4 wild pitches this season in 220 IP (going into today). He is not your average knuckleballer.

39. DKDC Posted: September 27, 2012 at 10:59 PM (#4247753)

Yes, I've seen Dickey pitch twice this year. He gets much better results than other knuckleballers, but its the formula that i dont like, and he has the same formula as every other knuckleballer (throw 90% knuckleballs and sneak a fastball in there from time to time). I think he's distinguished more by how hard he throws the knuckleball than the fact that he throws it at different speeds (most knuckleballers do).

But dont let me piss on the Dickey party. He's clearly a deserving Cy young candidate, and if you enjoy watching him pitch, then keep on keeping on.

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Thursday, September 27, 2012

R.A. Dickey wins 20th game

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