Quote: Clack, but those declining numbers hitting right-handed extend from last season ( August of 2008 ). Not just his poor 2008 September overall, but I think this has gone on for almost a full year.

Berkman's platoon split was normal for him in 2008, with an .803 OPS vs. LHP and a 1.05 OPS vs. RHP. That is approximately his normal 200 point OPS split betwen LH and RH. In fact, versus LHP, he hit slightly better than his career average from that side in 08. I don't have month-by-month splits for Berkman for 2008, so I can only speculate on whether the differential in OPS for right and left changed later in the season. What we do know is that Berkman's overall OPS was about 200 points lower in the 2d half of 08 vs. the 1st half of 08. So, I am skeptical that we are seeing a basic change in his platoon split in the second half. My guess is that Berkman's overall OPS from both sides slumped in the second half of 08, and that it continued into the first two months of this year. Berkman's overall OPS gradually began an upward improvement beginning last month.. As an educated guess, I would suggest that it takes longer for his OPS to improve from the LH side because his at bats are so sporadic from thtat side.

FWIW, Berkman's HR rate from the right and left side is exactly the same this year (5.4% per at bat). Berkman's OPS has suffered because he is not walking versus LHP. Berkman's walk rate per at bat is 5.4% against LHP and 21% against RHP. That has hurt his OPS versus LHP quite a bit this season.


Last Edited By: Clack Jun 26 09 10:33 AM. Edited 1 times.