It’s well known around these internet parts that hitter vs. pitcher stats are mostly useless.
Evan Longoria And Colby Lewis
@d_a_cameron
David Cameron Specific batter vs pitcher data is probably the worst use of statistics in the entire sport.
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Is that hyperbole? Probably not. Hitter vs. pitcher stats combine small samples with a context-free sludge of numbers, and they’re often treated as being really, really meaningful by broadcasters and managers.
So when you see these stats:
| PA | AB | H | BB | SO | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colby Lewis | 6 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 2 | .000 | .167 | .000 |
You’re right to think, pffffft. So what? Six at-bats are six at-bats. Totally meaningless.
Then you watch Longoria against Lewis:
And the numbers make a lot more sense. The guy just isn't picking up Lewis at all, and he struck out three times in his three at-bats against Lewis on Monday. So the splits just might have predictive power after all. All that's needed is a little context, such as visual evidence that Longoria flails at Colby Lewis pitches like a drunken Chuck Carr.
Now Lewis is out of the game, even though he allowed only one hit over six innings. Longoria has to be thrilled.
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