Masahiro Tanaka’s 2013 Pitch Counts
I keep getting asked for this, so here it is, taken from Isao Chiba’s article in the December 16 2013 issue of Shukan Baseball.
Note: regular season only.
| Date | Opponent | IP | Runs Allowed | Pitches |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| April 2 | Orix | 7 | 1 | 89 |
| April 9 | Nippon Ham | 7 | 1 | 109 |
| April 16 | Softbank | 7 | 3 | 122 |
| April 23 | Orix | 8 | 3 | 133 |
| May 1 | Nippon Ham | 8 | 1 | 129 |
| May 8 | Nippon Ham | 7 | 2 | 95 |
| May 14 | DeNA | 8 | 3 | 128 |
| May 22 | Yomiuri | 9 | 1 | 113 |
| May 28 | Hanshin | 6 | 2 | 99 |
| June 3 | Chunichi | 9 | 1 | 113 |
| June 9 | Yomiuri | 7 | 0 | 96 |
| June 16 | Hanshin | 9 | 0 | 127 |
| June 25 | Seibu | 7 | 0 | 93 |
| July 2 | Lotte | 8 | 0 | 116 |
| July 9 | Nippon Ham | 9 | 0 | 116 |
| July 16 | Orix | 9 | 1 | 105 |
| July 23 | Lotte | 9 | 2 | 90 |
| August 2 | Nippon Ham | 9 | 1 | 136 |
| August 9 | Softbank | 7 | 0 | 92 |
| August 16 | Seibu | 8 | 1 | 106 |
| August 23 | Lotte | 7 | 0 | 116 |
| August 30 | Softbank | 7 | 3 | 102 |
| September 6 | Nippon Ham | 9 | 2 | 128 |
| September 13 | Orix | 9 | 2 | 125 |
| September 21 | Nippon Ham | 8 | 1 | 104 |
| September 26* | Seibu | 1 | 0 | 19 |
| October 1 | Nippon Ham | 6 | 2 | 97 |
| October 8 | Orix | 7 | 2 | 83 |
| Totals | — | 212 | 35 | 2981 |
*Relief appearance in Rakuten’s Pacific League clincher.
Tanaka averaged 106.4 pitches per game in 2013, or, more importantly, 109.7 pitches per start.
24/01/2014 at 8:47 am Permalink
Hey Patrick,
How much of a worry do you think the “mileage” on his arm really is? IMO I think it is overblown, since they are on a different schedule over there and throwing more with more days rest cancel each other out. I personally believe that as long as the Yankees transition him properly, like the Rangers did with Darvish, there won’t be an issue. I’d love to hear your take though.
Also a random question: What is your favorite NPB team?
24/01/2014 at 9:17 am Permalink
I think it’s a concern by default for all incoming Japanese pitchers. I agree in Tanaka’s case it’s overblown, and I hope I’m providing enough facts for people to decide for themselves, rather than making assumptions based on reputation.
As for my favorite team, years ago I used to live in the Osaka area, and I supported all three Kansai-area teams: Hanshin, Kintetsu and Orix. Since I started this blog I’ve become less biased though. I don’t think I have a favorite any more, though I would love to see Hanshin win a Japan Series because I know how much it would mean to the region.
25/01/2014 at 6:57 am Permalink
There was one article (can’t find the link) where they compared Tanaka’s and Kershaw’s IP and interestingly Kershaw was used more than Tanaka.
I don’t think it’ll be an issue, just as Harvey’s injury shouldn’t be linked to a jump in his innings from 2012.
Hoping for a subway series showdown between Ma-kun and Dice-K, now that Matsuzaka signed with the Mets. (^_^)/