Factory Of Sadness
FanSided

2016 World Series: 3 Ways Josh Tomlin Can Shutdown The Chicago Cubs

By Evan Hablitzel

Jul 1, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Cleveland Indians starting pitcher Josh Tomlin (43) throws a pitch during the first inning in a game against the Toronto Blue Jays Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 1, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Cleveland Indians starting pitcher Josh Tomlin (43) throws a pitch during the first inning in a game against the Toronto Blue Jays Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 4
Next
Josh Tomlin
Oct 24, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Indians starting pitcher Josh Tomlin (43) throws during work out day prior to the start of the 2016 World Series at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports /

Get Ahead In The Count

Josh Tomlin is not going to over power hitters with dominating stuff. His ability to get ahead in the count and dictate the at-bat is what makes him effective.

If Tomlin falls behind in the count, he does not possess the ability of a Corey Kluber to battle back. His disastrous month of August is a prime example of what happens to the Tribe starting pitcher if he falls behind in the count.

Here are his splits in different count situations:

Split G PA AB R H 2B 3B HR BB SO BA OBP SLG OPS TB Pitcher Ahead 29 260 256 19 55 11 1 7 0 74 .215 .224 .348 .572 89 Even Count 30 263 258 38 72 16 1 15 0 32 .279 .277 .523 .800 135 Zero Balls 30 241 232 32 63 14 1 14 0 33 .272 .278 .522 .800 121 Full Count 29 63 54 10 15 2 1 5 8 12 .278 .365 .630 .995 34 First Pitch 30 93 88 21 29 6 0 9 0 0 .330 .322 .705 1.027 62 Batter Ahead 30 202 180 35 60 10 1 14 20 12 .333 .396 .633 1.029 114

The key to hitting Tomlin is hopping on the first pitch, as the .330 opponent batting average would indicate. The Cubs hit .307 while ahead in the count and .205 when the pitcher has the advantage.

Tomlin does not walk hitters. He is second in the MLB with a strikeout to walk ratio of 5.90. The crafty right-hander must stay ahead in the count to have any shot against the Cubs lineup.

Falling behind to the likes of Kris Bryant, Anthony Rizzo and Kyle Schwarber sounds like an absolute nightmare.

Home/Cleveland Guardians