No not really. Kyle last year was the ERA champ with low velocity. His command is a little off this year. Lackey is falling further and further out of his prime.
Last year his avg velocity was 87. Stat cast has it at 85 avg for the whole year. Now it may have picked up. It is taking the avg. I personally believe it has more to do with Montero being his match up vs Contreras. Contreras made him use his curve more and I really don't remember him using it at all this year. That makes him a 2 pitch pitcher. A 79 change and a 86 fastball is not enough.
Personally I'm thinking Maddon shafted him. First he kicks him into the 5 even though he deserved the 3 to appease Lackey. Then he sends His main catcher to work with all and appeases Miggy's on day and breaks up the Hendricks/Contreras tandem that was working.
Now Miggy is back with Lackey and it is still on 1 off next.
So even with a loss in velocity that curve was a difference pitch. We are now seeing Jake going to it more and seeing the same improvement that Kyle saw last year.
What is happening is the first time up the hitters are getting his timing down. The 2nd time up is when the damage starts. It is not a blip. They are on to him and it is a concern.
