There were few relievers that posted better numbers than Koji Uehara during the regular season. In 65 innings between the Orioles and Rangers, Uehara struck out 85 (11.8 K/9) and walked only 28, two of the intentional variety (1.3 BB/9). His 2.35 ERA and 2.33 xFIP reflected that outstanding mix of nasty stuff and pinpoint command. However, if there was one Achilles heel for Uehara, it was his tendency to give up the long ball. He allowed 11 round trippers during the regular season, but that trend only worsened in the first two rounds of the playoffs.
In what amounted to a combined 1.1 innings between the ALDS and ALCS, Uehara allowed five hits, three of which left the yard. Because of those struggles, Rangers manager Ron Washington has elected to leave the struggling righty off of the World Series roster.
Uehara was acquired by the Rangers from the Orioles for powerful, but whiff prone 1B/3B Chris Davis and pitcher Tommy Hunter. The Rangers thought that they were getting the dominant reliever that had posted a 1.72 ERA in Baltimore. However, his fly-ball tendencies (54 percent fly-ball rate) led to a 4.00 ERA while with the Rangers, including five home runs allowed in his 18 regular season innings. Uehara had allowed six total home runs in 47 innings before the trade. Three of Uehara’s 11 home runs allowed in 2011 came at Rangers Ballpark, the most home runs he allowed in any stadium this season.
This is clearly not the time of year to rest on regular season stats. Though Uehara’s overall numbers were impressive, his time with the Rangers proved to be riddled with inconsistency.
Now, all Uehara can do is watch as Mark Lowe takes his spot on the roster for the most important games of the 2011 season.
