Arizona Steals Success

[farmerguychris]

Maybe I missed a previous post on this topic, but shouldn't we be concerned about the Diamondbacks setting a franchise record 8 steals against us this weekend?

I know 6 of them came on double steals, but this still alarms me and considering it is a copycat league - I would envision this will be something a lot of other teams try to copy against us.

Are they just that good at stealing bases, or is this something we're perhaps not as good at as we thought when it comes to holding, and stopping other teams from running against us?

[Hawkeye Bean Counter]

59 minutes ago, farmerguychris said:

Maybe I missed a previous post on this topic, but shouldn't we be concerned about the Diamondbacks setting a franchise record 8 steals against us this weekend?

I know 6 of them came on double steals, but this still alarms me and considering it is a copycat league - I would envision this will be something a lot of other teams try to copy against us.

Are they just that good at stealing bases, or is this something we're perhaps not as good at as we thought when it comes to holding, and stopping other teams from running against us?

Keuchel out there throwing mid 80's fastballs and slower helped the strategy.  Arizona is also 3rd in the league in total steals and its a strategy they have been more willing to take.  However you bring up a valid point and a likely strategy we will face as the season progresses.  

[Jocko87]

Its certainly something to watch with Kuechel going forward.  He used to be the lefty that could shut down the run game with his pick off move and quick delivery but with the rule changes that would seem to negate that advantage.  Combine that with low velocity a catcher doesn't have a chance.  Maybe he can make an adjustment but if not his upside is gone. 

[Parfigliano]

29 minutes ago, Jocko87 said:

Its certainly something to watch with Kuechel going forward.  He used to be the lefty that could shut down the run game with his pick off move and quick delivery but with the rule changes that would seem to negate that advantage.  Combine that with low velocity a catcher doesn't have a chance.  Maybe he can make an adjustment but if not his upside is gone. 

Kuechel still only gave up 1 run in 5 innings.  I see some upside in the guy.

[jorgenswest]

Arizona is among the league stolen base leaders as are Kansas City and Oakland. The one team that utilizes the stolen base that could be an AL playoff opponent is Tampa Bay. They rank second but they also rank first in caught stealing with 34. Arizona has been amazing and only been caught 17 teams. I am not sure how much it has helped them win games though.

If this is a weakness I don’t think it is the weakness that will cost them a playoff series.

[stringer bell]

It hasn’t been a problem for the Twins up to now. The eight stolen bases included three double steals (two of them against Keuchel) and also included a steal of second with a runner on third. Up until that game, the Twins had stolen more bases than their opponents and had done so with a higher percentage of success. 
 

All of Arizona’s steals netted zero, while the Twins stole one base (Julien) and he scored from second on a two-out single. Vázquez will have to wear 0-8 on CS for that game, but the problem in reality was Keuchel (and Floro?) on the double steals. 

[Jocko87]

49 minutes ago, Parfigliano said:

Kuechel still only gave up 1 run in 5 innings.  I see some upside in the guy.

It very easily could have been 6 or 7 but he would have been pulled first.

If teams can run at will on him it puts amazing stress on the no strikeouts part.  Arizona may have been the worst team for him to face because now the word is out.  Non-typical base stealing teams will see it a go as well.  Its a significant risk.

[stringer bell]

28 minutes ago, Jocko87 said:

It very easily could have been 6 or 7 but he would have been pulled first.

If teams can run at will on him it puts amazing stress on the no strikeouts part.  Arizona may have been the worst team for him to face because now the word is out.  Non-typical base stealing teams will see it a go as well.  Its a significant risk.

Stealing third is non-typical and circumstances came together in the game Sunday. Keuchel is tough to run on (first to second) and perhaps Keuchel’s attention waned with the low percentage move of stealing third with two outs. If he gets run on again, he’ll probably have to make some adjustments.  

[Mike Sixel]

Not worried. Keuchel isn't starting a playoff game. 

[Jocko87]

16 minutes ago, Mike Sixel said:

Not worried. Keuchel isn't starting a playoff game. 

But he can't be a reliever either if he can't fix this.

[Mike Sixel]

10 minutes ago, Jocko87 said:

But he can't be a reliever either if he can't fix this.

I'm just not going to worry about it 

[USAFChief]

31 minutes ago, Jocko87 said:

But he can't be a reliever either if he can't fix this.

If Kuechel is in a playoff game as a reliever stolen bases will 38th on the list of problems.

[Trov]

If the next go round a team runs on us without any risk or close plays then I will begin to get concerned, but adjustments by the pitcher can, and need to be made.  This is first time Dallas has pitched at MLB level with new rules, and yes he had them in minors too, but he still only had 7 games, and who knows how teams were looking at games in minors, he did not give up many runners I believe.