Video summary
Ryan Weathers emphasized that his strong performance against the Toronto Blue Jays stemmed from sticking to his established pitch repertoire while focusing on locating pitches in advantageous spots within the strike zone. He noted that the Blue Jays are a team known for making significant contact, so avoiding mistakes and getting into good counts was crucial to his efficiency. Additionally, he credited his catcher, Wells, for providing excellent targets throughout the game, which allowed him to execute his plan effectively and maintain control over the at-bats.
The conversation also touched upon the importance of building trust with manager Aaron Boone, as Weathers expressed how validating it is to know that Boone trusts him with the ball whenever he steps onto the mound. This mutual confidence allows Weathers to focus on stacking positive outings rather than worrying about external pressures. Even when facing tough situations or making errors in high-leverage moments like the ninth inning, his ability to bounce back and contribute offensively by putting a big swing on the ball demonstrated his resilience and commitment to staying invested in the game for the team's benefit.
Weathers reflected on his recent form, highlighting a remarkable 2.85 ERA over his last five starts as evidence of his continued success in throwing strikes and generating count leverage. He explained that the key to his pitching has been consistently getting into positive counts, which puts him in a better position to work around mistakes or difficult situations. By maintaining this approach, he has been able to navigate through games effectively and contribute significantly to the team's overall performance during this stretch.
Facing elite pitchers like Cease presented a unique challenge, as Weathers acknowledged that Cease is one of the nastiest pitchers in the league with an impressive 201 punch-outs in just 23 starts. Rather than trying to out-duel such a formidable opponent directly, Weathers adopted a strategy of matching zeroes and neutralizing the threat through careful pitch selection and location. His team successfully executed this approach today, proving that they can compete against top-tier ace pitchers by staying disciplined and adapting their game plan to the specific strengths of their opponents.
Read the full video transcript
Aaron, we just talked about your strike
throwing quality, strike throwing at
that. What allowed you to be so
efficient in that front?
>> Um you know, just kind of been staying
with the pitches we've been doing. Um
especially against the Blue Jays,
they're a team that really makes a lot
of contact. So it's just getting into
good spots in the zone and um
yeah, though Wells did a good job today
giving me good targets and uh you know,
went well.
>> How validating is it for you to to be
able to work into that, Ethan?
>> Yeah, I mean it's awesome, you know, I
want you know, Boone to be able to you
know, trust me with the ball whenever
it's in my hand and uh you know, just
keep stacking good outings and uh just
so he has confidence in me and uh yeah,
so we had a good outing.
>> Regular one just with you know, how it's
been going for you guys lately?
>> Yeah, I mean I think it's um you know,
really proud of him. Um
you know, obviously the ninth inning
didn't go how he wanted it to, but
staying within the game and putting a
big swing on the board for us like that
that's huge for him. I think it's huge
for the team.
Um you know, you always love to see
stuff like that.
>> So to say that he's able to bounce back
like that.
>> Yeah, I mean he's a ball player.
Um that's what he's been doing all year
and uh like I said, it's very easy for
him to you know, be pissed off that he
didn't make the play or whatever, but he
stayed invested in the game and put a
good swing on the ball and goes two run
lead.
>> I like the interview you felt during
this stretch. I think it's like a 2.85
ERA over the last five.
>> Yeah, I think it's just continuing to
throw strikes. Um
I think the name of the game is count
count leverage and we've been getting in
good spots with counts. Um even today
like I had two you know, counts where I
wasn't having the count and you know,
gave up a double and then another
double. Um this uh
big part of this game has been
in positive counts from the pitcher.
>> When you're playing against a guy like
Cease who's pitching the ball as you
kind of bring into a ace pitching
pitchers duel or anything like that?
>> Um you know, I think I think Cease is
obviously one of the nastiest pitchers
in the league. Um you know, I saw put up
there 201 punch outs in 23 or 23 starts,
you know, that's really impressive.
Um
you know, I'm you don't go into you are
you trying to outduel him? It's just
more like you know, you got to match
zeros today and um yeah, we were able to
do that today.