It turns out, Silva made a between-starts mechanical adjustment. Pitching coach Mel Stottlemyre, an ex-sinkerballer himself, felt Silva was squeezing the ball too hard. So, instead of holding his hands up near his chest as he began his windup -- which Silva felt caused his arms to press together and his fingers to grip the ball tighter -- he held them at waist level tonight.
Over his seven starts since, Carlos Silva has thrown 35.1 innings and allowed 61 baserunners, 28% line drives, and 32 runs. His tRA over that span is 6.84. Since going on about his little mechanical adjustment, Silva has performed like one of the worst pitchers in the league.
If you're looking for a new place to put your hands, Carlos, I suggest your throat.
Biggest Contribution: Miguel Cairo, +3.3%
Biggest Suckfest: Carlos Silva, -45.3%
Most Important AB: Buscher error, +19.8%
Most Important Pitch: Kubel homer, -17.9%
Total Contribution by Pitcher(s): -46.6%
Total Contribution by Lineup: -31.8%
Total Contribution by Opposition: +28.4%
(What is this chart?)
When I was a kid, my love for this team was unconditional. There is no surer sign that that sort of innocence and idealized loyalty is gone and never coming back than the act of rooting against your own player, and tonight I got a kick out of coming home and finding out how poorly Silva pitched. I guess that makes me a bitter old man.
I do not like this team. I like the idea of this team, but I do not like this team.