2006-08-15 07:52:56 · 17 answers · asked by butcher1241 1 in Sports ➔ Baseball
I've noticed a couple of problems.
First, he's falling behind in the count way too often, meaning he has to come in with something good. You can see hitters just readying themselves to tee off on him when he falls behind.
Secondly, it seems like his fastball is coming in high with no movement. And no matter how fast you throw, if you throw it high and straight, a lot of guys are going to hit that ball pretty far.
Note - Someone has stated that Fenway being "homer friendly" is also responsible, they're wrong. Fenway has been 20th in home run rate over the past two seasons, and has only cracked the top 15 in park factor over the past six seasons. The idea of it being homer friendly is just a myth.
2006-08-15 08:00:15 · answer #1 · answered by Craig S 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Even if you throw 98 mph, at the big league level, everyone can hit a FB.
Beckett's problem is that he does not command his CB enough (throw it for strikes down in the zone). When a pitcher has trouble throwing his offspeed pitches for strikes, hitters sit on fastballs. In Beckett's case, his FB is very flat (no movement) on it...and at 98 mph, all a hitter has to do is make contact with a little lift in the swing, and it's going to go far. The harder a pitcher throws, the less effort a hitter has to put into his swing, to get it to go far.
If the ball doesn't change planes (no movement from the pitcher's hand to the plate), all a hitter has to do is lock in on the path of the ball, and time his swing.
2006-08-15 15:38:48 · answer #2 · answered by brianwerner1313 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Have you watched NESN...they've said it couple of times...but i think he gives it up cuz he throws heat about 90% of the time, which gets the batters to focus on the fastball....and that..plus the fact that Fenway is a homer friendly ballpark...makes Josh Beckett give up the longball
2006-08-15 15:01:09 · answer #3 · answered by Irv 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I've said it before and I'll say it again - he is my all time favorite player and I won't rag on him because he's been playing poorly lately. I read an article on him in ESPN magazine and I guess it is a big adjustment to AL from NL and I think he wants to live up to everyone expectations of him SO BADLY that he's trying too hard to impress everyone. I still think he's got a little ways to go before the playoff (yes, I still believe the Red Sox are going be in them!) to work out the kinks! I still love him and the Red Sox!!
2006-08-15 15:14:49 · answer #4 · answered by beckett's girl 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
A couple of reasons.
1.) He has almost eliminated his change-up, his best off speed pitch from the past. Anything coming in now is all in the same range, 88-92. No guess work needed.
2.) Only working with 2 pitches ( FB,CB) it's a 50/50 chance of seeing the heater. (that's when his curveball is working, higher when it isn't)
3.) He lacks the confidence to let a superior game caller call his pitches. (Veritek) Now that he is out, it's getting worse.
2006-08-15 16:53:10 · answer #5 · answered by basebllnut 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
He's used to the National League.
2006-08-15 15:25:21 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
His fastball has no movement and coming in flat and getting too much of the plate.
2006-08-15 14:57:39 · answer #7 · answered by toughguy2 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
he was good in the NL where most of the players cant hit for ****....in the al its a different story....
2006-08-15 15:26:56 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
He's a friend to everyone he meets
2006-08-15 14:57:04 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
who cares? he usually wins the game anyway
2006-08-15 14:59:35 · answer #10 · answered by red sox! 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋