Buster Olney's blog post today has some stats on why Roy has been effective - other than, "He was pitching against the Pirates."
A) Hitters were 1-for-11 against his off-speed pitches (3-for-31 over past three starts)
B) Despite throwing only 56 percent first-pitch strikes (below MLB average of 58), only three of 27 hitters faced saw a 2-0 count and only two saw a 3-ball count.
C) He averaged 3.37 pitches per plate appearance (best in his last seven starts); threw four pitches or less to 22 of 27 hitters (81 percent; MLB avg: 65)
We didn't come out here to play tiddlywinks, son.
-Hal Smith
