What has caused Rick Porcello’s latest streak of poor starts? After Porcello was touched for 4 ER over 6 innings against the Twins on August 15th, Jim Leyland said that he wasn’t ‘getting his leg down,’ and was ‘getting too far out in front.’ Leyland also said that Porcello knew what he was doing, and that pitching coach Jeff Jones reminded him of it in the 3rd inning, but he was unable to make the necessary adjustment.

His next start was Sunday afternoon in the series finale against Cleveland. Through the first 3 innings, it looked as if Porcello was back to July form. He allowed 2 hits, but one was of the infield variety and both came with 2 outs. He faced 12 batters and got 10 groundballs. Then, he sat for a extended period of time as the Tigers went crazy on Ubaldo Jimenez, sending 12 batters to the plate and scoring 7 runs. When Porcello returned to the mound, he was a different pitcher. According to the Free Press, he went away from his sinker to his slider.

In 6 starts between July 3rd and August 5th, Porcello went 5-0 with a 3.26 ERA (14 ER), 36 hits (.248 BAA, .299 BABIP), 5 walks (1.060 WHIP), 28 strikeouts (5.6 K/BB) in 38.2 IP (6.45 IP/GS). In that stretch, he threw his sinker 36.9% of the time.

In his last 3 starts, he went 1-2 with a 11.48 ERA (17 ER), 27 hits (.409 BAA, .429 BABIP), 2 walks (2.176 WHIP), 7 strikeouts (3.5 K/BB) in 13.1 IP (4.44 IP/GS). In that stretch, he threw his sinker 48.8% of the time.

Basically, all of his numbers are shockingly worse. One interesting note is that he’s walked just 2 batters and struck out 7. This suggests he’s pitching more to contact. But in reality, he’s actually throwing fewer strikes. Over the 6 game stretch, he threw 65.2% strikes. Over the last 3 games, he’s thrown 62.4%. So it’s not that he’s pitching more to contact. Recently, 21.4% of total batters faces have ended in line drives. During the 6 game stretch, that number was 11.5%. That means the dramatic increase in BABIP, from .299 to .429, can’t be attributed simply to luck. His groundout rate has actually increased, though, from 21.02% to 27.14%. He’s a groundball pitcher, so you would think this would be a positive. Everything else seems to suggest that his pitches have been dramatically more hittable.

The vertical movement on his sinker (a 2-seam fastball according to TexasLeaguers.com) has gone from 3.86 to 2.65. This is the only significant change to his sinker. As far as pitch results, the only real change is a small surge in whiff rate; from 2.8% to 4.2%. As I noted before, he’s relied on the pitch quite a bit more; selection rate has jumped from 36.9% to 48.8%.

He has used his secondary pitch, the slider, quite a bit less; selection rate is down from 27.9% to 19.7%. The in-play rate for the pitch has hiked from 15.5% to 25%. Vertical movement has gone from 2.29 to 0.87, horizontal from 0.99 to -0.77, spin angle from 164 to 201, and spin rate from 698 to 488. I’m no expert, but it seems to me that these changes would indicate the pitch has gone a bit flat. This is his only pitch that has seen a significant dip in spin rate, other than maybe his 4-seam fastball. This is also his only pitch that has had a major change in spin angle. Basically, put those two numbers together and the pitch has less movement and the movement the pitch does still have has been in a different direction. Again, I’m no expert in pitch analysis, but I really can’t see any major changes eyeballing the PITCHf/x Charts.

Over the aforementioned 6 game stretch, Porcello’s 4-seam fastball was his 3rd favorite pitch by selection rate. He used it 21.7% of the time. In his last 3 starts, he’s used it just 12.3%. There has been no huge change in this pitch. The biggest differences are a drop in vertical movement from 7.73 to 6.03 and in spin rate from 1,974 to 1,769.

That leaves his changeup, which seems to be the pitch that has changed the least recently. Lately, Porcello has used it more than he has his fastball at 15.2%, up from 11.8%.

So to summarize, the more recent version of Porcello is relying much more on sinkers (which are generating less vertical movement, but a higher whiff rate) and changeups (which has been a very consistent pitch). He’s throwing fewer sliders (which have gone flat are being put in play much more) and fastballs (which are generating less vertical movement and spin rate).

I’m confident that Porcello will be able to work through whatever issues he’s having, both with pitch selection and mechanics. Supposedly his problem has already been identified, so it’s probably just a matter of time before Porcello can rediscover his rhythm and feel for pitching.

Tonight, he has a fantastic oppurtunity to get back on track, as he’ll be facing a depleted Twins lineup, which has recently lost Delmon Young and Jim Thome to division rivals, the former to the Tigers and the latter to the Indians. They have also been hit with multiple injuries.

Porcello is  3-1 with a 3.42 ERA in four starts against the Twins this year. He’s 2-0 with a 2.45 ERA in two starts at Target Field. Current Twins are hitting .248 lifetime against Porcello. The biggest threat to him is Jason Kubel, who is 12-for-28 (.429) against Porcello, but is 1-for-16 (.063) in his last 5 games.

On top of all that, opposite Porcello will be rookie Scott Diamond, who made his major league debut in July against Cleveland and went 6.1 innings and allowed 3 runs on 7 hits, 2 walks, and a strikeout. He has struggled this year at AAA for the Rochester Red Wings, posting a 4-14 record with a 5.56 ERA and a 1.577 WHIP. This has been, by far, the worst season of his professional career. He’s allowed 29 runs (26 earned) in 24.2 innings over his last 5 starts.

It’s purely speculation of course, but it seems that most expect Lidstrom to return. If he does, that leaves two spots for the Red Wings to fill, and while they could do so by re-signing Jonathan Ericsson and calling 2007 first-round pick Brendan Smith up from Grand Rapids, at least some of the Wings’ new-found cap space will likely be spent filling a spot in front of rising star Jimmy Howard. If they feel that this is Smith’s year to break ground in the NHL, Jonathan Ericsson may be let go.

Now, to the free agents. It seems logical that Detroit would want to sign someone who would stick around long-term, and therefore I don’t think it’s unreasonable to eliminate anyone under 34 (Rafalski was signed by the Wings three months before his 34th birthday). According to QuantHockey.com, the average age of NHL defensemen in the 2010-2011 regular season was 27.403 simple and 27.967 weighted. Ideally, they would sign someone right around that number, who can make an immediate impact and eventually emerge as a top-tier defenseman. Unfortunately, there aren’t too many of such players available on the free agent market. They’ll also want someone who can contribute immediately and play significant minutes. That leaves 14 candidates (under 34, w/ 20+ GP & 15+ TOI/60 in 2010-2011, plus Andrei Markov, minus Jonathan Ericsson) who could potentially make the move to Hockeytown.

Kevin Bieksa (30, Vancouver) - Teammates Christian Ehrhoff and Sami Salo are also free agents. The Canucks will most likely only sign two, but it is difficult to envision Bieksa not being one of them. He made just 3.5 million this season, but his fantastic postseason (5 goals, 4 assists, +10), and the fact that his team is in the Stanley Cup Final, will increase his value immensely. He would be a fantastic fit for the Red Wings (big right-handed shot, physical, etc.), but they probably don’t have a great chance at signing him. Art Regner labeled him as the Red Wings’ most attractive option, but also shares my opinion that Vancouver will spend the money to resign him.

Eric Brewer (32, Tampa Bay) - Another physical defenseman, and the former captain of the St. Louis Blues, Brewer was traded to Steve Yzerman’s Lightning in February. His playoff performance this year has been very formidable (leading Tampa Bay in time on ice, and all players in blocked shots), and though at 32, he is in the latter part of his career, the lack of top defenders available could lead him to a raise from the $4.25 million he made this year.

Christian Ehrhoff (29, Vancouver) - Will also be looking for a pay raise (made 3.4 million this year). Vancouver may have a tough time signing both, and I believe there is a good chance Ehrhoff will be available. In contrast to Bieksa, he is an offensive defenseman (scored 50 points in the regular season, 7th among defensemen), similar to Rafalski except that he is a left-handed shot.

Andy Greene (28, New Jersey) - One of New Jersey’s top defenseman, but more because of a lack of depth the Devils have at the position than an enormous amount of skill on his part. His salary will probably land somewhere between $2-3 million, and it looks right now like he will probably sign with his current team before July 1st.

Scott Hannan (32, Washington) - The Capitals have 7 defensemen signed for next year, and early speculation is that the aging Hannan will be let go. He’s another Eric Brewer type defenseman, physical play being his strong suit. He made $4.5 million in 2010-11, and will probably be looking to find a team willing to give him about that much again, and for 1-2 years. I don’t see him as a fit for Detroit, unless it was just to fill a spot for a year until they can sign someone like Ryan Suter. Even if that’s the case, there are better, cheaper options out there.

Jan Hejda (33, Columbus) - Columbus is looking to overhaul their defensive unit, and Jan Hedja is most likely on his way out. He will likely make around $3 million wherever he goes, and play on a second or third pairing. Certainly not capable of filling the void left by Rafalski, but, like Hannan, is an option if the Red Wings are just looking to plug a hole and spend more of their money on offense.

Tomas Kaberle (33, Boston) - Has had a disappointing showing in his limited tenure with Boston. Fans are not happy with his play, and his price tag of $4.25 million will have to drop significantly if he wants to remain a Bruin. Despite his falling out in these playoffs, Ted Kulfan of The Detroit News suggests that he will be “aggressively pursued” by Boston.

Andrei Markov (32, Montreal) - Coming off knee surgery that limited him to just 7 games last season, the second major surgery on his knee in consecutive seasons, Markov is facing questions about durability. However, if healthy, he may be the best defenseman available. His salary will match that, probably remaining close to the $5.75 million he made last year. Even if the Canadiens don’t re-sign him (which, loyalty factored, I think they will), I don’t know if for the Red Wings, the high salary he will demand will be worth the health risk.

Steve Montador (31, Buffalo) - Consistency has been an issue for Montador, and he slipped to seventh on the Sabres’ depth chart towards the end of their playoff run. He made just $1.55 million per year in his expiring contract, and is not likely to see more than that in his new contract. He wants to stay with the Sabres, but there’s a good chance he’s on his way out. He could serve as a short-term role player for the Wings until a better free agent class emerges next year, and he would come cheap, but he is not the long-term solution Detroit needs with Rafalski gone.

Joni Pitkanen (27, Carolina) - The Hurricanes seem resigned to the possibility that they will not be able to re-sign Joni Pitkanen. He’ll be looking for a pay raise from the $4.5 million he made last season, but he moves the puck well and his aggressive offensive style is similar to that of Rafalski. Maybe most importantly, he has quite a few years of hockey ahead of him, and may have his best years ahead of him.

Jim Vandermeer (31, Edmonton) - Will likely take a pay cut from the $2.3 million he made last year, and wherever he signs (probably not with the Red Wings), he will serve as veteran depth.

Ian White (27, San Jose) - Another young player who, like Rafalski, has great ability to move the puck and has a hard right-handed shot. He made $3 million last year, and the competitive market could equal a big pay-raise. If they want him, the Red Wings will likely have to outbid the Sharks, who traded a number two draft pick to acquire him from Carolina and will be looking to keep their core intact for another deep playoff run.

James Wisniewski (27, Montreal) - Maybe the most intriguing option for the Red Wings. He’s young, right-handed, aggressive, good offensively, and is a near-perfect fit for Detroit’s system. The question mark for Wisniewski, when thinking about a long-term contract, is his right knee, which has undergone three surgeries already in his young career. He made $3.25 million last year, and his strong play and the weak market will lead to a raise. Montreal will probably try to re-sign him, but he grew up in Canton, MI and Detroit could convince him to come home at a bargain rate.

Jeff Woywitka (27, Dallas) - Made just $700,000 last season, and after cracking the second defensive pairing for the Stars, he will get a pay raise. He would like to return to the Stars, and they seem to have the same interest in bringing him back. It’s unlikely the Red Wings will target him.

Personally, I think the Wings should go after Wisniewski, Pitkanen, Ehrhoff, White, and Brewer, in that order. If all else fails, Ed Jovanovski (who will turn 35 next month) will be on the market, as he is too expensive for Phoenix. He’s a good friend of Todd Bertuzzi, and that, in conjunction with his lack of a Stanley Cup championship in his long career, could make the Red Wings an enticing option for him. There is a chance he might sign a one-year deal at a discount rate to make a run at Stanley with the Wings.

Click here to see the full list of defensive unrestricted free agents.

Cialis Pills Generic viagra

In 2002, at just 17 years old, Jimmy Howard led the United States team to a Gold Medal at the IIHF World U18 Championships, posting a 1.33 goals against average and a .954 save percentage in 6 games. Following his stellar performances as a member of the U.S. National Team Development Program, Howard earned the Dave Peterson Goalie of the Year Award, establishing himself as the top goaltender prospect in USA Hockey. He continued his development for three seasons at the University of Maine, where he still holds single season and career school records for shutouts, goals against average, and save percentage. During the 2003-04 season, he set NCAA records for goals against average (1.19) and save percentage (.954), both of which still stand today. Howard was selected in the 2nd round (64th overall) in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft by the Detroit Red Wings, and joined the Grand Rapids Griffins in 2005. He quickly established himself as the Griffins’ number one, and remained with the club, maturing and developing his skill-set, for four full seasons. In those four seasons, he made the AHL PlanetUSA All-Star Team twice, and was the Grand Rapids Griffins’ recipient of the AHL’s Man of the Year award twice as well.

For Antti Niemi, the road to the NHL was filled with much more adversity. Until 2005, he was practically unknown outside of First Division, a lower-level Finnish professional league where he had been employed by a relatively inconspicuous organization called Kiekko-Vantaa. He had been moving up and down between the club’s primary team, and their Jr. squad, since age 17. The league was so obscure, and subsequently his pay so minimal, that Niemi was forced to drive a Zamboni at his local ice rink to make ends meet. He drew no interest from teams in Finland’s top professional league, SM-Liiga, until, because of injury issues, the undistinguished Lahti Pelicans gave him a shot. In Niemi’s three seasons there, from 2005 to 2008, he posted a 2.54 goals against average, and received direct instruction from the team’s owner and former NHL goalie Pasi Nurminen. At age 24, perhaps as a result of this special attention, he was spectacular, posting a 26-6-14 record with a 2.35 goals against average and a .927 save percentage. Following this extraordinarily successful season, he finally drew interest from the NHL. Niemi was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Chicago Blackhawks in the spring of 2008, and joined their AHL affiliate, the Rockford IceHogs, that fall. During his only season as a member of the IceHogs, he was a more than adequate backup to Corey Crawford, with an 18-14 record in 38 games.

In contrast to Niemi, Pekka Rinne was discovered relatively quickly by NHL scouts. He cracked SM-Liiga at age 20 with Karpat Oulu, and developed mostly in the shadow of Minnesota Wild goalie Niklas Backstrom. The tandem led Karpat to two league titles in 2004 and 2005. After being drafted by the Nashville Predators in 2004 (8th round, 258th overall), Rinne joined the AHL’s Milwaukee Admirals for the 2005-06 season, and made an immediate impact, leading the team to the AHL Calder Cup Finals, earning ten wins and three shutouts in the postseason. In an injury-shortened 2006-07 campaign, Rinne played 29 games for the Admirals and finished sixth among AHL goaltenders in both goals against average (2.34) and save percentage (.920). In 2007-08, his third and final season in Milwaukee, he led the league with 36 wins, and played alongside Jimmy Howard and countryman Tuukka Rask in the AHL All-Star Classic.

Pekka Rinne, Antti Niemi, and Jimmy Howard; respectively, two Finns and an American from upstate New York. Certainly very different backgrounds, but as their careers have progressed, their paths have grown steadily together.

Rinne was called up in December of 2005 to face the Chicago Blackhawks (three years before Niemi would join the organization) in his NHL debut. He recorded 38 saves in victory. Howard made his debut in November of the same year on the road in Los Angeles, saving 22 of 24 shots, including a penalty shot, to record the first win of his career. Three seasons later, in March of 2009, Niemi, then 25 years old, finally made his first NHL start (second appearance), and, like Howard, stopped 22 of 24 shots in a victory over the LA Kings.

Not only did all three record wins in their first NHL start, they also proceeded to win starting jobs and have led their teams to the NHL playoffs for two consecutive seasons.

Rinne, the oldest of the trio by almost ten months, established himself in the 2008-09 season. Although his Predators narrowly missed the playoffs in his rookie season, his numbers were notably impressive. He finished with a 29-15-4 record, a 2.38 goals against average, and a .917 save percentage. In February of 2009, he was named NHL rookie of the month, and in March, he set the Predators’ franchise record for shutouts with his seventh of the year.

Niemi cracked the Blackhawks’ lineup the following season, and began a battle for playing time with Chicago’s established number one goalie, Cristobal Huet. Less than 300 miles away across Lake Michigan, Jimmy Howard was on the same path, as the Red Wings had determined in the 2009 off-season that he would replace Ty Conklin as backup to seasoned veteran Chris Osgood.

By the end of the 2009-10 regular season, both Niemi (26-7-4, 2.25 goals against average, .912 save percentage) and Howard (37-15-10, 2.26 goals against average, .924 save percentage), as a result of their sterling play as rookies (Howard made the 2009-2010 NHL All-Rookie Team), combined with the inconsistent performances of Huet and Osgood, had taken over starting roles for their respective teams.

Meanwhile, Pekka Rinne was finishing his sophomore season with the Nashville Predators. In his second season as their number one goalie, he posted a 32-16-5 record with a 2.53 goals against average and a .911 save percentage, leading his team to a seventh-place finish in the Western Conference and a first-round matchup with Niemi’s Blackhawks.

Rinne, Niemi, and Howard all broke ground as playoff goaltenders in the spring of 2010, and made their first small strides toward attaining the elusive notoriety reserved for legends like Patrick Roy, Terry Sawchuk, and Martin Brodeur (who won a combined total of 11 Stanley Cups).

Howard and the Red Wings, seeded fifth, matched up against the Phoenix Coyotes in the first round. He had two sub-par games in the series, but rebounded after each. In game four in Detroit, he stopped 29 shots on the way to his first playoff shutout. Then, after giving up five goals in a Game 6 loss, he bounced back to stop 32 of 33 in front of a hostile Phoenix crowd in Game 7; his first test as an NHL netminder in a win or go home situation. Displaying tremendous mental toughness, he won three of four games on the road, effectively erasing any doubt that he could not perform under playoff pressure.

In the second round, however, the Red Wings defense faltered, and Howard was bombarded with 161 shots (more than 32 per game). He allowed fifteen goals (six on power plays) in the series, which lasted just five games, and all four losses were decided by just one goal. Considering the heavy workload, Howard’s playoff numbers were very respectable. He finished the playoffs above the league average for save percentage at .915, good for fifth among goalies who faced 200 or more shots in the tournament.

Though Rinne’s Predators were eliminated in the first round, his poise under the increased pressure of postseason play did not go unnoticed, and his team’s ouster was more due to a lack of offensive production (and a star-studded opposing lineup) than a collapse in net. Through the first three games, he allowed just two even-strength goals. After facing almost 180 shots in the series, which lasted six games, he sported a .911 save percentage to go along with a modest 2.68 goals against average.

The goal opposite Rinne was occupied by Antti Niemi, who, granted, didn’t have to play spectacular for his team to advance past Nashville. He exceeded expectations with his performances however, shutting out the Predators in games two and four, both critical games which directly followed losses and changed the momentum of the series in favor of the Blackhawks.

Backed by Chicago’s high-powered offense, Niemi proceeded to knock Roberto Luongo’s Canucks out of the Western Conference Semifinals in six games. In the Conference Finals, he gave up just seven goals in a four-game sweep of Evgeni Nabokov’s Sharks. In the Stanley Cup Finals, carried again by the Hawks’ scoring prowess, he outplayed Michael Leighton, dispatching of his Philadelphia Flyers in six games.

Niemi’s playoff numbers (.910 save percentage, 2.63 goals against average) were not earth-shattering, but not just anyone, even on a stacked team, can win the Stanley Cup, especially in their first full NHL season. Adding to the illustriousness of the accomplishment, the championship was Chicago’s first since Glenn Hall backstopped them over the Detroit Red Wings in 1961, and brought an end to the 49-year drought that Hall of Famer Tony Esposito, Ed Belfour, and Nikolai Khabibulin, among others, failed to end during their Blackhawk tenures. Niemi also became the first Finnish goaltender, and only the fourth rookie goalie in history to win the trophy.

Due to salary cap restraints, the Blackhawks were forced to let Niemi go in the following offseason, and he signed as a free agent with the San Jose Sharks. There, his regular season numbers only improved. He finished the season with 35 wins, an impressive .920 save percentage, and 6 shutouts. His strong play earned him the title of “Sharks Player of the Year” as voted by the Bay Area media.

The 2010-11 regular season numbers posted by Pekka Rinne were even more staggering. His .930 save percentage was surpassed only by that of Boston’s Tim Thomas (.938). His goals against average of 2.12 was also near best in the league, and he matched Niemi with six shutouts.

Jimmy Howard’s personal statistics in his second full season (.908 save percentage, 2.79 goals against average, and 2 shutouts) were by far the least impressive of the trio, but his win total of 37 was tied for second in the league.

Howard’s recent playoff performances, though, were more than enough to make fans forget any possible negative regular season memories. In the first round, he led the Wings to a four-game sweep over the Phoenix Coyotes. He gave up just ten goals, with six coming on the power play. In the second round, though the Red Wings fell in seven games to San Jose, he looked, at times, like the best player on the ice. He faced a whopping 35+ shots per game in the series, but finished it with a .927 save percentage. His final playoff line included a .923 save percentage, 2.50 goals against average, improving on both numbers from the 2010 postseason. Howard, in two playoff runs, now has a 5-2 record in games facing elimination, and has played in two game sevens (both on the road), experience that will surely be beneficial as the Red Wings look to the future.

Rinne, meanwhile, led the Predators to a series victory in six games over the Anaheim Ducks; the first playoff series victory in the history of the young franchise. After advancing to face Vancouver in round two, Rinne stepped up his play significantly. His save percentage for the series shot up to .932, and in six games, he never allowed more than three goals. Unfortunately, Nashville failed to generate adequate offense, and was eliminated.

Interestingly, one could argue that both Howard and Rinne performed well enough in their respective second round series to advance. Had it not been for the Red Wing’s defensive struggles, and the Predator’s lack of offense, the two could be battling it out for a spot in the Stanley Cup Finals right now. Instead, it’s Antti Niemi and Roberto Luongo.

Niemi, in his second year, with his second team, is in the midst of his second deep playoff run. His Sharks are currently in an 0-2 hole to Vancouver in the Western Conference Finals, but no matter how their season ends at this point, it has undoubtedly been an impressive feat by Niemi to reach this point twice in his first two seasons. To get there this year, Niemi and the Sharks fought through the Los Angeles Kings in six games, and the Detroit Red Wings in seven. After visibly struggling in the first round, including being pulled early in games three and five; he recovered in the second round to match Jimmy Howard of the Red Wings almost shot-for-shot. Both goalies faced more than 35 shots per game, and Niemi gave up 17 goals to Howard’s 18. In Game 7 of the series, one of the Sharks’ most significant games in franchise history, Niemi stepped up and stopped 38 of 40 shots in a 3-2 victory.

Destined for greatness? Maybe. Maybe not. Working against the three young stars is the fact that they all began their NHL careers relatively late (the average age of an NHL rookie goalie is 23.54; Rinne, Niemi, and Howard were 26, 26, and 25 respectively to begin their first full NHL seasons), but there also innumerable reasons to buy in to their astronomic potential. All three, still in their twenties, are now playoff-tested and entering the prime of their careers.

Who do you think has had the most impressive career thus far? Who has the most potential for greatness? Regardless, it will without a doubt be interesting to follow these three promising careers, and to compare and analyze their performances as they continue their pursuit of stardom and notoriety.

Cialis Online Generic viagra

Auto Insurance viagra online

viagra online Payday loans