Worst Teams Versus Left-Handed Pitchers
By AARON SCHULDINER
Here, we look MLB lineups that dry up against southpaws, regardless of their general success.
We calculated the difference between each team’s OPS vs. lefties and their overall OPS, to determine whose performance drops off the most against left-handed pitching.
Of the five teams on our list, two are in first place in their respective divisions while all five have winning records. Be respectful of their winning ways, but keep an eye on the odds when they face southpaws.
Numbers in bold are equal to Overall OPS minus OPS vs. LHP. All statistics compiled prior to Tuesday’s games.
Toronto Blue Jays, -.145
(.758 OPS overall, .613 OPS vs. LHP)
The Blue Jays top this list by a sizeable margin, leading the Dodgers by .072 points. Vernon Wells’ resurgence has been one of the more interesting storylines of 2010, but most of his success has come at the expense of right handers. Wells’ OPS vs. righties (.940) dwarfs his OPS against lefties (.633). Jose Bautista, second in the American League with 18 homers, has shown impressive power this season but only two of Bautista’s long balls have come against southpaws. Toronto’s .613 OPS vs. LHP is the worst in baseball.
Los Angeles Dodgers, -.073
(.741 OPS overall, .668 OPS vs. LHP)
The Dodgers’ .668 OPS against left handers ranks second-worst in the National League. Los Angeles has racked up 46 HR and 239 RBI vs. righties, but has just seven homers and 64 RBI vs. lefties. Andre Ethier, who emerged early as an MVP candidate, has a OPS vs. RHP (1.010) that is more than 200 points better than his OPS vs. LHP (.799). The Dodgers’ seven home runs against southpaws is the lowest total in MLB.
Atlanta Braves, -.070
(.751 OPS overall, .681 OPS vs. LHP)
The red-hot Braves have made short work of right handers in 2010 but have struggled against lefties, slugging just .346 vs. LHP. Atlanta’s .681 OPS vs. left handers ranks 23rd in baseball. As of June 15, rising star Jason Heyward trailed only Albert Pujols, Chase Utley and Ryan Braun in the National League All-Star voting, but the young outfielder has struggled against lefties, batting just .230 with an OPS of .734.
St. Louis Cardinals, -.061
(.745 OPS overall, .684 OPS vs. LHP)
The great Albert Pujols is in the midst of yet another productive season, but his OPS against southpaws (.900) is down more than 200 points from last year’s number (1.161). The Cardinals are batting .240 vs. LHP, tying them for last in the National League. Matt Holliday has hit just one homer in 54 at-bats against left-handed pitching.
Tampa Bay Rays, -.050
(.748 OPS overall, .698 OPS vs. LHP)
Tampa Bay’s .234 batting average against left handers ranks 28th in baseball. Carlos Pena has provided solid power with 15 HR and 46 RBI, but he’s hitting below the Mendoza Line against lefties (.186). Jason Bartlett, who had a breakout season in 2009 (.320/14/66, 30 SB) has struggled mightily in 2010. Bartlett has an OPS of .603 against left handers, with just four extra-base hits in 73 at-bats. Carl Crawford has also had trouble with southpaws, batting just .226 vs. LHP.