http://nesn.com/2016/04/red-sox-not...im-wakefield-paved-the-way-for-steven-wright/[h=2]Red Sox Notes: John Farrell Says Tim Wakefield ‘Paved The Way For Steven Wright’[/h]by Sam Galanis on Thu, Apr 28, 2016 at 12:20AM BOSTON — Knuckleball pitchers don’t come around very often, but there’s a good reason the Red Sox have had two pretty notable ones on the mound.
Wednesday’s 9-4 win over the Atlanta Braves marked knuckleballer Steven Wright’s fourth straight quality start this season after an outing that saw him allow two runs (one earned) on just three hits with eight strikeouts and three walks over seven innings. Wright has even allowed two runs or fewer in eight straight starts dating back to July, 25, 2015, which is the longest active streak among American League starters.
But not every team wants to give knuckleballers a chance, and not every pitcher wants to try to throw one.
“It’s not the arms,” Red Sox manager John Farrell said Wednesday about why we don’t see more knuckleball pitchers. “It’s the mastery or endless pursuit to execute that pitch. … And then I think you need an organization that embraces it. Tim Wakefield certainly has paved the way for Steven Wright to continue to provide opportunities. … It’s a unique pitch, we know, but the bottom line numbers are undeniable.”
Knuckleballers also can’t really control where their own pitches go, as Wright attested to Wednesday, so they need to have a skilled catcher they can trust. And Wright said Ryan Hanigan has been that for him.
“I threw to (Hanigan) one time last year and then the times I’ve thrown this year, and so I feel like every time we go out, he gets more and more comfortable,” Wright said. “It especially showed a lot (Wednesday night) because (the knuckleball) was moving a lot more than it has in the last couple starts, so for him to be able to knock those balls down is awesome. I can’t give enough credit to him and what he’s done to get better the last couple games back there.”
Wednesday’s 9-4 win over the Atlanta Braves marked knuckleballer Steven Wright’s fourth straight quality start this season after an outing that saw him allow two runs (one earned) on just three hits with eight strikeouts and three walks over seven innings. Wright has even allowed two runs or fewer in eight straight starts dating back to July, 25, 2015, which is the longest active streak among American League starters.
But not every team wants to give knuckleballers a chance, and not every pitcher wants to try to throw one.
“It’s not the arms,” Red Sox manager John Farrell said Wednesday about why we don’t see more knuckleball pitchers. “It’s the mastery or endless pursuit to execute that pitch. … And then I think you need an organization that embraces it. Tim Wakefield certainly has paved the way for Steven Wright to continue to provide opportunities. … It’s a unique pitch, we know, but the bottom line numbers are undeniable.”
Knuckleballers also can’t really control where their own pitches go, as Wright attested to Wednesday, so they need to have a skilled catcher they can trust. And Wright said Ryan Hanigan has been that for him.
“I threw to (Hanigan) one time last year and then the times I’ve thrown this year, and so I feel like every time we go out, he gets more and more comfortable,” Wright said. “It especially showed a lot (Wednesday night) because (the knuckleball) was moving a lot more than it has in the last couple starts, so for him to be able to knock those balls down is awesome. I can’t give enough credit to him and what he’s done to get better the last couple games back there.”
