9-29-24 – By Michael Castrignano – @412DoublePlay on X
Final game of the season as the Pirates vie for a potential sweep of the Yankees in the Bronx with the opposing starter pitcher, Clarke Schmidt, facing off in game 162.
Despite spending more than three months on the injured list due to a right lat strain, Schmidt has made 15 starts this season and posted a 2.55 ERA over 81.1 innings mm
Schmidt works a 4-pitch mix with his low-90s cutter, a mid-80s sweeper and low-80s curve with a rare changeup in the high-80s.
He mainly utilizes the cutter high in the zone against lefties while posting more even usage with other offerings, working mostly down in the zone.
His sweeper and curve have a TON of movement due in part to their 3,000+ RPM spin rate, leading to a lot of swing and miss against each of them.
Bucs would be best served timing up the cutter (wOBA of .299) and, more especially, the sinker (.376 wOBA).
Much of Schmidt’s success is due in part to success the first two times through the order, falling off pretty hard third time around.
If the Pirates can get to him early – with most of their team’s regularly likely off for the day – possible to end the season on a high note, sweeping the AL East Division Champs.
One last time this year.
Let’s Go Bucs!
Steel City Pirates 