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The split was thought to be hard on the elbow, though I’ve never seen any concrete analysis of this belief.
Bling yeah the splitter went away because people thought it caused injuries. A lot of research has shown the cause of injuries isn’t the pitch types, but the velocity. Thus the splitter is making a resurgence a little in the US. Look at the top Japanese pitchers though that have came over and they all throw it and well.
The screwball was also blamed for injuries, most famously Carl Hubbell. If anyone is interested, here is a link to an article I found years back researching something else. Its an enjoyable read featuring a lot of old time players.
The split is now Jordan Hicks’s second most used pitched (23.6%), to great effect: .094 BA-against, .125 SLG, 43.2% Whiff%.
At the end of the day, the overhand throwing motion causes arm injuries. Any pitch at all. The curveball’s hard on the arm, but it’s not going anywhere.
CB is actually pretty easy on the arm, it’s the slider that stresses the elbow ligaments. To ATM’s point above, the velocity of the arm action associated with the pitch seems to make a difference.
Last season a five inning start felt great. The starters this year have, by and large, gone deeper into games and the bullpen is also better and not being over used.
If the offense clicks in for this team they can certainly play above .500 baseball. How far above and how that would translate into the post season is the question.
If we had another really good starter to pair with Gray and even 1/2 the under performing position players figure it out at the plate I’d like our chances to at least win a playoff series.
My son texted to tell me a beer at Churchill Downs on Derby Day cost him exactly the same as he paid yesterday at Busch for the White Sox game. We agreed something is wrong with that.
ZTR, I don’t feel as confident in our rotation long term. Gray is an obvious ace, but after him we have a bunch of mediocre pitchers. I know Lynn and Gibson have good ERAs, but both are by all measures expected to have mid 4s for an ERA and are due for regression.
I do think the bullpen is much improved this year.
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