Last week I wrote about Jair Jurrjens, the home warrior. I thought it would be fitting to write this week about a guy who has truly been a road warrior this season.
With no disrespect to Animal or the late Hawk, Florida Marlins pitcher Ricky Nolasco was a true road warrior this season. Despite his season ending prematurely (he wants to pitch, but that would be a dumb idea) because of a torn meniscus in his right knee, Nolasco really was a stud on the road this season.
Nolasco was rock solid on the road this year
Overall on the season, Nolasco is 14-8 with a 4.22 ERA, a 1.23 WHIP, and averaging 8.5 K/9. It has been a solid season for Nolasco considering he was sent down to the minors last season.
On the road, however Nolasco really shined. In 14 starts, Nolasco was 10-2 with a 3.35 ERA, a 1.17 WHIP, and averaged 8.3 K/9.
The biggest difference for Nolasco on the road versus at home is that he kept the ball in the ballpark.
At home, Nolasco was giving up 1.8 HR’s/9 and on the road he only gave up 0.9 HR’s/9. What’s interesting about Nolasco’s splits is that this flyball percentage is about the same (41 percent) on the road versus at home, and he is the complete opposite of the Marlins’ pitching staff as a whole.
The Marlins’ pitching staff has a lower ERA at home than on the road (3.77 to 4.13) and gives up less HR’s/9 at home (0.67) than on the road (0.89). Perhaps Ricky should do the opposite and go from tuna on toast, coleslaw, and a cup of coffee to chicken salad on rye, not toasted, and a cup of tea in order to fit in with the rest of his staff.
Why Nolasco struggled at home this year, while the other Marlin pitchers enjoyed success is beyond me. But what I do know is that Nolasco really had one heck of a season on the road and was a true road warrior.
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