The elite pitch-framing and solid game-calling skills of Austin Barnes is expected to net the Dodgers backup the start behind the plate with ace Walker Buehler in Game 3 of the World Series against Tampa Bay on Friday night. “I love both of our catchers back there, and with what Austin does behind the plate specifically,” manager Dave Roberts said Thursday. “I’m going to put the lineup out there that gives us the best chance to win.”AdvertisementOpinions vary on the value of pitch-framing. The Dodgers clearly emphasize it, and the numbers say Barnes is good at it. According to Statcast, Barnes converted 52.8% of non-swing pitches on the fringes of the strike zone into called strikes, the third-best rate of any catcher in baseball.

Source: Los Angeles Times October 23, 2020 00:58 UTC