Alan Schwarz, with assistance from Dave Smith of Retrosheet writes in the New York Times about whether or not batters get better during a game if they face a pitcher multiple times.
Smith's study of batters from 1960 through 2005, showed that the first time a batter faced a pitcher, the average OPS was .721. The second plate appearance was .747. The third was .763. Plate appearance #4 was .753.
It also depends greatly on the skill of the pitcher and his tactics. Sometimes Halladay doesn't throw a fastball until the late innings, once the batters have stopped looking for it. Maybe that's the 4th at-bat?
From my limited sample size experience as a college pitcher, batters tend to have an advantage the next time around.
One of the few times I started (CMS Stags), I went threw the order perfectly the first time. 9 up, 9 down. Apparently, the Whittier Poets figured me out after that, as I lasted only 4 1/3 innings that game, giving up 6 runs.
The figures for Helton were pretty stunning. He started off with an OPS of .900 and I think he was up arond 1.200 by the third time around.
One of the few times I started (CMS Stags), I went threw the order perfectly the first time. 9 up, 9 down. Apparently, the Whittier Poets figured me out after that, as I lasted only 4 1/3 innings that game, giving up 6 runs.
3 - Bob, do they have the same stats for Sir Barry? er, at least pre-2005 Barry?
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