Chad Qualls’ Biggest Kryptonite

Entering Saturday’s game against the Oakland Athletics, Houston Astros reliever Chad Qualls has had a difficult time against the Athletics. For his career the results against current A’s hitters have not been good. And entering Saturday’s game, the 18th against Oakalnd in 2014, Qualls had 3 blown saves against the AL West opponents.

I have no idea what is possessing the Astros organization to give Qualls the ball in the 9th inning. Actually I cannot see why in the world he is even an option against the Oakland Athletics.

Here are some of the nasty statistics that Qualls has against him regarding the A’s:

1. Jed Lowrie is 2×2 with a home run and a walk in 3 plate appearances. Mind-numbing OPS of 3.500

2. Four of Oakland’s hitters have failed to get a hit against Qualls – Coco Crisp, Andy Parrino, Geovany Soto, and Stephen Vogt. The other 10 guys whom Qualls has faced are batting at least .250 against him. Eight of those ten are at least .500+ in terms of batting average. Granted these are all extremely small samples. But is this a risk you would want to take with just a 3 run or less cushion? I certainly would never.

3. Entering Saturday’s game, A’s have had 8 RBI against Qualls. All of those RBI had occurred this season.

4. Qualls has given up 18 earned runs this season, 11 of which had come against Oakland prior to Saturday’s game. Eleven earned runs. Those outings lasted for 1 1/3 innings combined (3 appearances). Though I must admit that Chad has also had two scoreless outings against the A’s this season.

"Insanity: “doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.” – Albert Einstein"

My message is simple. The Athletics have Chad’s number. To the Astros:  please do not ever have Chad Qualls pitch in a save situation against the Oakland Athletics again this season. Saturday’s blown save was Qualls’ fourth in six opportunities.