Orlando Hernandez

[SpringfieldFan]

The prevailing wisdom I hear all the time is that we need El Duke in the playoffs, because that is when he will be dominant. To hear folks, once the playoffs start, you can practically chalk up a "W" when he pitches.

 

My question: is this really true? I didn't follow him much before he came to the sox, but just what did he do in past postseasons to warrant such a reputation? Did he have just a dominant start or two a few years back or has he had a long undisputable history of strong playoff efforts? What exactly are his playoff numbers? I look at him now and I see a guy who lets a lot of runners on and has an ERA of around 5. What about his past playoff history should make me comfortable casting his regular season numbers aside and assume he will be lights out once October rolls around?

 

SFF

[3E8]

I'd also like to see his postseason numbers separated by year.

[Dick Allen]

I think he started out 8-0 in the postseason. IIRC he is now 9-3. That's when he was a far more effective pitcher during the regular season. El Duque is nowhere close to a sure win in the playoffs even with healthy. He is also far from a sure thing even being available to pitch in the playoffs. We'll see how he does this weekend. People are calling it a playoff atmosphere. If you expect him to get bombed this weekend, you shouldn't expect anything else come October.

[FLsouthsider]

Career...

9-3, 2.65, 102 IP, 101 Ks

 

http://www.baseball-reference.com/h/hernaor01.shtml

[greasywheels121]

Year Round Tm  Opp WLser  G GS  ERA    W-L  SV CG SHO  IP   H   ER  BB  SO

+------------------+-----+--+--+------+-----+--+--+---+-----+---+---+---+---+

 1998 ALCS  NYY CLE   W    1  1   0.00  1-0   0  0   0   7.0   3   0   2   6

      WS    NYY SDP   W    1  1   1.29  1-0   0  0   0   7.0   6   1   3   7

 1999 ALDS  NYY TEX   W    1  1   0.00  1-0   0  0   0   8.0   2   0   6   4

      ALCS  NYY BOS   W    2  2   1.80  1-0   0  0   0  15.0  12   3   6  13

      WS    NYY ATL   W    1  1   1.29  1-0   0  0   0   7.0   1   1   2  10

 2000 ALDS  NYY OAK   W    2  1   2.45  1-0   0  0   0   7.3   5   2   5   5

      ALCS  NYY SEA   W    2  2   4.20  2-0   0  0   0  15.0  13   7   8  14

      WS    NYY NYM   W    1  1   4.91  0-1   0  0   0   7.3   9   4   3  12

 2001 ALDS  NYY OAK   W    1  1   3.18  1-0   0  0   0   5.7   8   2   2   5

      ALCS  NYY SEA   W    1  1   7.20  0-1   0  0   0   5.0   5   4   5   7

      WS    NYY ARI   L    1  1   1.42  0-0   0  0   0   6.3   4   1   4   5

 2002 ALDS  NYY ANA   L    2  0   2.84  0-1   0  0   0   6.3   5   2   0   7

 2004 ALCS  NYY BOS   L    1  1   5.40  0-0   0  0   0   5.0   3   3   5   6

+------------------+-----+--+--+------+-----+--+--+---+-----+---+---+---+---+

  4 Lg Div Series    3-1   6  3   1.98  3-1   0  0   0  27.3  20   6  13  21

  5 Lg Champ Series  4-1   7  7   3.26  4-1   0  0   0  47.0  36  17  26  46

  4 World Series     3-1   4  4   2.28  2-1   0  0   0  27.7  20   7  12  34

 13 Postseason Ser  10-3  17 14   2.65  9-3   0  0   0 102.0  76  30  51 101

[YASNY]

I think he started out 8-0 in the postseason. IIRC he is now 9-3. That's when he was a far more effective pitcher during the regular season. El Duque is nowhere close to a sure win in the playoffs even with healthy. He is also far from a sure thing even being available to pitch in the playoffs. We'll see how he does this weekend. People are calling it a playoff atmosphere. If you expect him to get bombed this weekend, you shouldn't expect anything else come October.

 

I know the scenario is different, but in April he pitched great against the Twins ... and that was considered a big game at the time. He stepped up then, maybe he can still do so. We'll see on Saturday, I guess.

[LosMediasBlancas]

Career...

9-3, 2.65, 102 IP, 101 Ks

 

http://www.baseball-reference.com/h/hernaor01.shtml

 

 

Thank you, next question

It's a big part of why he's even here. I'd be shocked if we traded Duque or moved him to the pen.

[SpringfieldFan]

Thank you, next question

It's a big part of why he's even here. I'd be shocked if we traded Duque or moved him to the pen.

 

 

Thanks for the stats and insights, everyone. Like I said, I didn't know his postseason history (I don't follow the Yankees) other then coffeepot talk. Therefore, I didn't know if his playoff numbers were just from a "small sample size" and he just happened to be hot at the right time. However, he has logged 100+ postseason innings so his numbers are worthwhile. Now, his age and health might be other issues, but the history sure paints a promising picture.

 

Now this begs another question: What is it about the postseason that makes him improve? Is there a magic button that he only pushes when October approaches? Why can't he push it from April through August?

 

SFF

[YASNY]

Thanks for the stats and insights, everyone.  Like I said, I didn't know his postseason history (I don't follow the Yankees)  other then coffeepot talk.  Therefore, I didn't know if his playoff numbers were just from a "small sample size" and he just happened to be hot at the right time.  However, he has logged 100+ postseason innings so his numbers are worthwhile.  Now, his age and health might be other issues, but the history sure paints a promising picture.

 

Now this begs another question:  What is it about the postseason that makes him improve?  Is there a magic button that he only pushes when October approaches?  Why can't he push it from April through August?

 

SFF

 

Hmmm ... just a guess, but I'd have to say .... adrenaline?

[3E8]

Last 50 Postseason innings: ~ 4.10 ERA.

 

And he's not getting any younger. I'm not convinced he's the October menace he once was.

[Yossarian]

Last 50 Postseason innings:  ~ 4.10 ERA.

 

And he's not getting any younger.  I'm not convinced he's the October menace he once was.

I was going to say something similar but since you got there first just let me concur and say that I think El Duque is considerably older than his listed age (35) and based on his recent track record and watching him pitch he is at or near the end of the line. I would be happy if he made me eat those words, but I doubt he will.