Saito by the numbers

A look at Dodgers closer Takashi Saito’s dominance this season:

8 Runs Saito has given up. No other regular closer in the National League has given up single-digit runs.

4 Right-handed batters who have hit Saito’s fastball. Scouts say his fastball -- a low-90s sinker -- is just average. But right-handed hitters are four for 40 against it, and have swung and missed 45% of the time. The league average miss percentage of fastballs is 14%.

3 Blown saves by Saito in 42 chances. Only J.J. Putz of Seattle and Jason Isringhausen of St. Louis have a better save conversion rate.

0.70 Walks and hits per innings pitched (WHIP) that Saito has given up. By comparison, the NL saves leader, Jose Valverde, has a 1.11 WHIP, and no other full-time closer in the NL has a WHIP under 1.00 (through Sunday).

2 Extra-base hits Saito has given up to NL West opponents in 81 at-bats. Their slugging percentage against him is .160.

0 Colorado Rockies hitters are 0 for 14 against Saito with six strikeouts, so if he pitches in today’s doubleheader, it could be game over.

Batting average against Saito by pitch type:

*--* Pitch LHB RHB FB 167 (11 for 66) 100 (4 for 40) Curve 231 (3 for 13) 000 (0 for 5) Slider 231 (6 for 26) 132 (7 for 53) Total 190 (20 for 105) 112 (11 for 98) *--*

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Source: Inside Edge Scouting Services