Mark Buehrle: Keys to His Successful Season

As always, Mark Buehrle is the ace of the Chicago White Sox pitching staff.  He's 10-5 with a 3.06 ERA this season.

Many baseball fans are puzzled by Buehrle's success.  They claim he doesn't throw hard enough and lacks the ability to strike batters out.

Mark Buehrle is an excellent example of a pitcher.  

Take Francisco Liriano: he is not a pitcher.  Liriano is a thrower—a guy with overpowering stuff, but no control.  Liriano knows that, by throwing his pitch, he has a good chance of getting the hitter to swing and miss.  

Mark Buehrle has less effective stuff, but he knows how to pitch.  Buehrle gets batters to swing at more pitches just out of the strike zone than most pitchers in the game today.  Buehrle only averages 4.8 strikeouts per nine innings, so he's gotta be doing something to get hitters out.

Buehrle works fast.  I mean really fast.  He throws his pitch and follows through in good fielding position, just a few steps in front of the rubber.  Then, if the ball is not put in play, takes two steps backwards and is back on the rubber ready to throw.

By working fast, Buehrle keeps himself and his defense involved.  Meanwhile, hitters get less time to relax and get settled in the batter's box.  His quick work is a huge reason why Buehrle has thrown two no-hitters. 

It is a seemingly simple thing, but Buehrle's quick work is truly helpful to his team's success.

Lastly, Buehrle knows how to battle.  He never will have a low WHIP, but regardless, he keeps his ERA low.  Many hitters will get on base, but Buehrle is crafty and can locate his pitches where he wants to in order get a key ground ball out.

One thing is for certain: Buehrle is not getting lucky.  He's put together 11 straight seasons of 10 wins or more.  Clearly, Buehrle is doing something right.