The Kubota log

I have written several times of Kubota's problems in giving up runs. Here is a full list of the runs to date. Note that these runs also include some earned runs which would be charged to other pitchers under official scoring practices. The purpose is to show the actual runs that resulted from scoring hits from Kubota's pitching no matter who put the runners on base.

29.3 BayStars Yoshimi   home run     margin reduced
1.4  Carp     Kurihara  home run     margin reduced
18.4 Swallows Miyamoto  home run     margin reduced
20.4 Swallows Fukuchi   home run     margin reduced
23.4 Dragons  Woods     Sac fly      margin reduced
30.4 Swallows Kawashima RBI          scores level
4.5  Dragons  Nakamura  RBI double   scores level
8.5  Giants   Ramirez   2 run HR     lead lost
14.5 Carp     Akamatsu  RBI          margin reduced
11.6 Lions    Bocachica home run     margin reduced
21.6 Fighters Inada     2 run timely margin increased
29.6 Swallows Numerous  4 runs       margin increased
17.7 Swallows Numerous  3 runs       game lost
28.7 Swallows Tanaka    sac grounder game lost
4.8  Carp     Various   4 runs       game lost
17.8 BayStars Uchikawa  RBI          margin increased
27.8 Dragons  Kubota    2 runs       margin increased
5.9  Carp     Kurihara  home run     margin increased
10.9 Swallows Yuichi    RBI          lead lost

[Edited by: Christopher on May 9, 2008 7:40 AM] I have decided to update this thread on a regular basis when Kubota gives up runs.




[Edited by: Christopher on Sep 11, 2008 11:17 AM]

[Edited by: Christopher on Oct 5, 2008 6:07 PM]

Updated

Another addition to the Kubota log - the gap between this one and the last one was quite long.

There's no context. It would be much more helpful if you could include:
1. The outcome of the games (i.e., "Hanshin won," "Hanshin lost," etc.)
2. Details of Kubota's outings when he doesn't give up runs as well.

This isn't really the purpose of the log and whilst the information you suggest would certainly be interesting it is not vital. The eventual aim is to see if Kubota has been over-pitched.

- The eventual aim is to see if Kubota has been over-pitched.

Were you planning on mentioning that any time soon? Either way, I still don't get it: How can we tell if he's been over-pitched when all you're doing is listing games in which he gave up runs? Even if he pitches perfectly from here on in, all we'll see in your log is that he gave up runs.

If you want us to spot a pattern, we'll need something to compare your entries with. Going by the log, all we can infer is that Kubota gives up a run every time he steps on to the mound. If you're not going to give us the results of the games or any data about any Kubota outing other than one in which he gives up a run, how about his stats at the time of each entry? (FWIW, as of June 11, 2008, he's 4-1 with an ERA of 2.72 over 39 and 2/3 innings in 32 games)

The important things will be the clusters (if they happen) and the number of runs actually given up. An average as your suggesting doesn't actually give an accurate indication of problems one needs to look at other factors. This also feeds into his successful games - they are not so important unless there are a lot of them between each run.

Unfortunately, you might need to start keeping a Williams log as well! He gave up another big run on Tuesday--the go-ahead hit to the Eagles in the 8th. Fortunately the Tigers stormed back in the bottom half!

A Williams log - it might be an idea if he gives up more runs.

Updated and the Williams log is now initiated.

I'm not sure gotigersredsox was serious.

Six steals, a huge error, three runs given up. Unbelievable

I almost went to the game last night. Very glad I didn't. As much as he has done for the team, I just don't like Kubota in this role. He should be moved from the set-up spot until he can prove he truly belongs there again.

Yano also needs some words - he is the one calling the pitches.

But wasn't the problem the other night more his control? Yano didn't have much to do with those BBs. There's not mutch a catcher can do if a pitch doesn't go where it's supposed to.

Certainly the problem lay partially with Kubota's control. But it also lay with Yano's calling and his failure to deal with the steals. He should not allow balls to get away with him - so I would say both are to blame.

Oh, so it wasn't Yano's calls after all. Thanks for clearing that up. Someone had better give Yano a severe scolding then. I'm sure he's oblivious to the significance of not being able to handle Kubota's wildness. Veteran catchers always need a good talking to when they have an off day. Maybe it's time to start a Yano Log.

Hi there.

My first post (is there an introfutions thread?), so let me start with a little a little background: I'm from Seattle, and I've been living in Kansai (the greater Osaka area) for almost 7 years. I've been a Tigers' fan for at least the last 4-5 years (helps that my wife, who's Japanese, is also a fan), and familiar with the team since I moved here (I had a goatee at the time, and when I went to a spring-training game at the former Osaka (now Kyocera) Dome, everyone seemed to think I looked like Trey(?) Moore!).

Well, I tried to write a long and involved post a bit ago, and then my computer crashed - so now you'll get the short version (which you'll probably be thankful for). The short version is, Kubota scares the crap out of me, and he always has - even when he was truly the K in JFK (and not KJF like it is now).

Now I remember Williams as closer one year, and he did pretty good, he was pretty consistent (his Olympic year?). When Kubota was closer though, even though he still got a lot of saves, he uncomfortably reminded me of Bobby Ayalla - the former Mariners' closer from the early/mid 90s (are my dates right?). Meaning every save opportunity was a nail biter. Kubota always seemed to just squeak by (if, for example, he had a two run lead, he'd let a couple guys on, just to make it 'interesting', etc.). Granted, I don't think he ever blew as many saves as Ayalla, but I remember never being able to relax and enjoy his ninth innings.

Yeah, it'd be a bit much to compare Fujikawa to, say, Sasaki, or Mariano Rivera in his prime (especially regarding pitching mechanics - I'm a total layman, and know absolutely nothing about that). But when Kyuji comes into the game, I feel a sense of confidence (meaning, I can now relax, and enjoy a well-earned Tigers' victory), that I've never felt, in the last 4-5 years of watching Kubota.

OK, this has totally been a personal, anecdotal observation. So what the heck, I might as ad one more: Tonight (July 19th, 2008, here in Osaka - and yes, Hanshin beat Chunichi by a wide margin - no need for savers and such - Egusa finished I believe), I went out to dinner with my wife's family, and they all expressed experiencing anxiety when Kubota came to the mound. Yep, an anecdote, so worthless by itself, but from real, actual Japanese fans of Hanshin.

-Thorgrimfile

PS - I truly apologize if I've upset or irritated anyone by this post. It's just that Kubota has been rubbing me wrong for the last several years, and I've just now found a place where I could "vent". If my venting bothers you, well, my post is mostly all anecdotal anyway, so please feel free to dismiss it if you choose.

Welcome aboard - your comments are welcome and no one is offended. I can remember Kubota as a closer as well. There were several debates on this board about how he made everyone nervous.

Mijow - it was both of them combining, Kubota and Yano. This wasn't just Yano putting up with a wild Kubota but Yano wanting pitches Kubota wasn't able to deliver. Interestingly Kubota looked comfortable with Kanoh last year.

Thanks for the welcome! Speaking of Kanoh (who seemed to do reasonably well at the plate during his occasional appearances last year), where has he been this season?

I only remember seeing Noguchi sub in for Yano this year, and he's not exactly a 'spring chicken' either (Yano's 40, and Noguchi is, what, 37-38 or so?).

Kanoh is currently playing in the farm team. Okada wants to rely on his most experienced catchers but I do feel he should start bringing the younger ones into play.

And he blows the All-Star game too!!!

Hara said he wanted to let people see Fujikawa pitch and so he asked him to pitch the eighth. Kubota seemed to answer the questions about his role as a closer. I was surprised that Kroon didn't pitch in preference to Kubota but I suppose the Osaka location was significant.

I was watching the game at a yakitori shop and was shocked to see Kubota come in in the 9th. I had to leave the shop but said to myself, "He's going to mess up the all-star game as well" and indeed he did! I have no idea why they didn't use Kroon, but probably decided to let the Tigers players play and save Kroon for the Kanto game.

What I found a little disturbing was how some of the other Tigers' players in attendance were shown on camera laughing during his meltdown (I recall Fujikawa and Kanemonto doing so).

Sort of a, "there he goes again, ho ho ho!" kind of thing. Yeah, I know, NPB All-Star games have zero meaning (I'm sure they wouldn't have laughed if it had happened during the playoffs), but still.

Just seems that his teammates have lost all confidence in him, in that another blowup comes as not even remotely a surprise, but a cause for amusement.

This latest blow up means that the Magic Number is now switched off. Tigers still enjoy a comfortable lead but need to pick up the pace a bit.

Kubota's ERA is 3.18
Fujikawa's is 0.82
and Williams is 2.03.

Kubota is by far the worst JFK pitcher. Egusa's ERA is 2.14. Kubota has been pitching more than any other relief pitcher for Hanshin. Just maybe he is being over used or maybe he needs a rest? Or maybe we could see more of Egusa taking Kubota's spot...?

We probably are going to see more of Egusa. Atchison has also been brought up to pitch in relief. Kubota has been sent to the ni-gun for an indefinite period - this is not a short adjustment.

Kubota is at it again.