What's with Josh Beckett and the home runs?

Question

First off, I like this guy. Liked him with the Marlins, and I think he's enjoyable to watch. But he's given up 31 homers in 23 starts, after giving up 30 in 55 starts over the past two seasons.

Has he lost something on his pitches? Is he leaving the ball up in the zone too much? Or is the AL that much better that their hitters can hit him? His WHIP is still very good, but those homers are killing his ERA.

I'll give the points to the answer I think best explains his troubles.

Answer 1

I agree with ShouldBeWorking.

The NL and AL are two entirely different leagues, with the AL being mucher harder on pitchers (would you rather face a NL pitcher or an AL DH like Ortiz?).

Beckett has been throwing WAY too many fastballs, and nobody's fastball is so good that a major league can't catch up to it when he knows it's coming.

Why he isn't relying on more off-speed pitches is a little bit of a mystery to me. My first hunch is that he doesn't have enough faith in his ability to throw them for strikes. Ultimately that is what ANY pitcher must be able to do in order to be effective.

The Red Sox signed him to a long-term deal, they obviously see more upside with him, so my hunch is that he'll be expanding his repetoire soon.

Answer 2

I think part has to do with Beckett, but realistically I think it has to do with his change of location. For starters I think the AL has better hitters over all than the NL. A lot of pitchers have a hard time making the switch. Also keep in mind he's now pitching against teams like the Yankees, A's and Blue Jays, which are some of the top hitting teams in baseball!

Answer 3

I think he's throwing the fastball too much. He still has good velocity but if he keeps throwing pitches the same speed eventually the hitters will catch up to it. He's also leaving the ball up in the zone combined with that.

Answer 4

First all, I'm glad you said you like him. He even says in his interviews that he's been throwing alot more fast balls. He blames nobody for his recent downfall except for himself which is very noble! I've watched him, like you, since his Marlins days and I know he will bounce back. He's much too good to just give up and not come back without a fight and another World Series ring, I must add!!

Answer 5

He is not hitting the corners and his fastball has not been having good movement on it and that spells trouble!

Answer 6

Good velocity, but he's just overrated.

Answer 7

he's a challenge pitcher , he has spot his pitches more