Mike Maddux reveals what has made Rangers starting pitchers so effective this season
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Rangers pitching coach Mike Maddux joined GBAG Nation on 105.3 The Fan [KRLD-FM] to discuss what’s made the rotation effective, Nathan Eovaldi’s early success and more.
Here are highlights of the conversation, edited for clarity:
How nice is it finally having a roof on the stadium?
Mike Maddux: “When that summer heats up we always used it in the past as a home-field advantage but we were big on IVs back then and now there’s no need for it. I think that everybody’s gonna stay fresh longer.
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“I think what was a home-field advantage now becomes a season-long advantage for the Texas Rangers. “
What game plan has made your pitchers so effective this season?
Maddux: “Number one is that those pitchers pitch to their strengths. And number two, we pitch ahead in the count. Grab, strike one, keep the ball in front of the outfielders and make the batters earn it. More importantly, even though we’re on a deep bench, you could say, we’re playing offense when we have the ball. So that’s a big thing.
“We’ve got to stay on the attack. And, you know, we hold the score, download our lumber come through good things happen that way. So that’s kind of the onus on the starting pitcher to go out there and hold the fort. Next thing you know, we’re gonna have a sizable lead handed over the bullpen,(and) let them finish it up.”
Related:Here’s what Jon Gray’s complete game says about Nathan Eovaldi, Rangers’ rotation
What has led to Nathan Eovaldi’s career season so far?
Maddux: “Man, he’s been fantastic. He’s a guy in the past that I’ve seen pitch more on video than live. And I always tried to pair the pitchers that were on the staff and try (to see) how they would cat and mouse hitters. Nathan Eovaldi would pop up, I would just skim right through him.
“I said because our guys don’t have that kind of stuff. They don’t have what he brings to the table so to witness this guy every five days in his work ethic and his dedication to his craft has been more impressive than his stuff. Then he goes out there and produces like he does, it’s no surprise. I mean, he’s a consummate pro that he’s been carrying the heavy load for us.”
How has the game changed in the time since you’ve been coaching?
Maddux: “I think what I really preached is the grassroots of the game, and it’s the way that everybody has been doing it for 100 years. And that’s command that fastball and change speeds. That hasn’t changed.
“Now we have all this data information that tells us why the ball moves and how much it moves and things like that. We always went back in the past, if you made your pitches, the hitters would let you know if your stuff’s any good. And we kind of went from there.
“That’s kind of what I tried to bring back. You know, people say, Well, is this pitch very good? And I say well throw it in the hitter, let you know.”
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