The best Brian Matusz has ever looked in a Baltimore Orioles uniform was his last 10 starts of 2010. (August through October). During those 10 starts, Matusz was 7-1, with a 1.88 era. In those 72 innings of work, Matusz allowed 48 hits, 5 homers, 16 walks, with 52 k’s.
It gave O’s fans a lot of of confidence in Matusz, and helped many of us forget that during two seperate Months of 2010 (May and July), the lefty had at-least 5 starts with Monthly era’s over 7.50.
If we go back to the idea that the August through October stretch was as good as he has ever looked – we should use his velocity there as a baseline for expectations going forward.
2010 Last 10 Starts:
Aug 4th 2010
33 4 seam fastballs, 89.2 mph
20 2 seam fastballs, 89.2 mph
Aug 9th 2010
41 4 seam fastballs, 89 mph
13 2 seam fastballs, 88.9 mph
Aug 14th 2010
35 4 seam fastballs, 89.2 mph
11 2 seam fastballs, 88.7 mph
Aug 19th 2010
40 4 seam fastballs, 89.6 mph
17 2 seasm fastballs, 89.6 mph
Aug 25th Not Shown
Aug 31st 2010
48 4 seam fastballs, 89 mph
16 2 seam fastballs, 88.6 mph
Sept 6th 2010
59 4 seam fastballs, 88.4 mph
7 2 seam fastballs, 88 mph
Sept 13th 2010
7 4 seam fastballs, 89.7 mph
8 2 seam fastballs, 89.5 mph
Sept 20th 2010
50 4 seam fastballs, 90.2 mph
7 2 seam fastballs, 90 mph
Sept 27th, 2010
39 4 seam fastballs, 89.9 mph
14 2 seam fastballs, 90.1 mph
Oct 2nd, 2010
42 4 seam fastballs, 89.8 mph
15 2 seam fastballs, 89.5 mph
= Average 4 seamer was 89.4, Average 2 seamer was 89.2
2011 Starts:
June 1st:
38 4 seam fastballs, avg 87mph
5 2 seam fastballs, avg 86.9 mph
June 6th:
21 4 seam fastballs, avg 86.7 mph
2 2 seam fastballs, avg 87.1 mph
June 12th:
20 4 seam fastballs, 86.9 mph
2 2 seam fastballs, 86.6 mph
June 18th:
50 4 seam fastballs, 87.6 mph
6 2 seam fastballs, 87.3 mph
June 25th:
32 4 seam fastballs, 87.6 mph
1 2 seam fastballs, 86.6 mph
= Average 4 seamer was 87.3, Average 2 seamer was 87
I agree with those that point to the drop from 89.4 to 87.3 and say that it points to something. I do not agree that it definitively points to injury. I think the bigger issues with Matusz right now are location, pitch selection, and endurance.
It is a poor stretch of games for Matusz, and we all wanted to see more from him immediately after coming off the DL. As long as he is structurally sound (and Matusz says that he believes he is), I’m sure he will figure it out.
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Chris Stoner founded Baltimore Sports and Life in 2009. He has appeared as a radio guest with 1090 WBAL, 105.7 The Fan, CBS 1300, Q1370, WOYK 1350, WKAV 1400, and WNST 1570. He has also been interviewed by The Baltimore Sun, Baltimore Business Journal, and PressBox (TV). As Owner, his responsibilities include serving as the Managing Editor, Publicist, & Sales Director.