Did Mark Buehrle get the calls? That’s the question Anthony asks at Friar Watch. Using MLB’s Enhanced Gameday data, he examines Buehrle’s no-hitter from last week and determines that for the most part, the plate umpire did a good job calling balls and strikes for Buehrle and his opposite number, the Rangers’ Kevin Millwood.
The charts are fascinating, but what I really appreciate are the insights that go with them:
Without having seen the game I’ll hazard a few guesses based on the data: Buehrle’s pitches are all over the place, when I see that it usually means the pitcher has good …read more

Did anyone see the Mark Buehrle no-hitter coming? You, with the hand up in the back — you’re lying.
In case you missed it, Buehrle faced the minimum against Texas on Wednesday night. The only baserunner against him came on a walk to Sammy Sosa, who promptly was picked off first base.
Others will analyze this to death, I’m sure, but I would just like to point out two things:

Buehrle was knocked out of a start two weeks ago courtesy of a line drive off the bat of Cleveland’s Ryan Garko. Nice recovery, eh?
No pitcher in the American League allowed more hits …read more

Ryan Garko just hit a screaming liner off Mark Buehrle’s forearm. Buehrle is done in the second inning. Tough break for Buehrle and the White Sox.
Update: The ball was hit off his left (pitching) forearm. Nick Maset comes on in relief.
Update #2: X-rays were negative, and Buehrle is expected to make his next start. On another note, the game ended when Cleveland right-hander Roberto Hernandez plunked A. J. Pierzynski on the left elbow with the bases loaded to force in the winning run. Very strange.