In this case that still limits Pivetta’s exposure to Noda, Rooker, Bleday and Brown, who combined have a 134 wRC+ vs. RHP away from Oakland (an extreme pitchers park) this year. Instead, those guys got an extra helping of Bernardino and Jacques, which seems significant when their combined wRC+ drops to 88 on the road vs. LHP.Sure, but that only work if the opener sets down the order in a row.
Pivetta started the third, and faced 9-1-2, to start.
I dunno, feels like it all likely evens out. Starting your best lefty reliever means he isn’t available late in the game, if needed, and you lose that. But you have it earlier in.
Meh.
I think every team will be different. Here’s the current Rays lineup, with each player’s career wOBA vs. Pivetta (and their ‘23 wOBA vs. RHP)
Diaz .423 wOBA (.384)
Franco .313 (.339)
Raley 1 for 2 with a double (.410 wOBA vs. RHP in ‘23)
Arozarena (.386)
B. Lowe .441 (.325)
J. Lowe 0 for 3 (.356)
Paredes .646 (.382)
Siri 0 for 2 (.335)
Bethancourt 0 for 7 (.274)
Now if you’re forced to throw Pivetta in this case, it kind of sucks to be you. But it makes a lot of sense to throw Bernardino through J. Lowe or Paredes and bring in Pivetta at batter 7 or 8.
Maybe they counter with Harold Ramirez (.298 wOBA vs. Pivetta, .300 wOBA vs. RHP), and that’s okay.