Strange Lowe by Harry Pavlidis May 16, 2012 Derek Lowe tossed a shutout on May 15, 2012. Mark it down. Three points of significance: It was Lowe’s first shutout since 2005 and the fourth of his career He didn’t strike out a single batter He shelved his slider and cutter for the night There’s a connection between Lowe’s pitch mix and whiff rate. Check out the mix and whiff rates for Lowe’s starts from 2008 through 2012, excluding the shutout in question (13,440 pitches). pitch % of pitches miss/swing Sinker 59 .12 Change 11 .26 Fastball 1 .13 Cutter 4 .16 Slider 25 .34 Note the swing-and-missy slider, thrown one of four pitches. And May 15, 2012 (127 pitches). pitch % of pitches miss/swing Sinker 90 .02 Change 8 .00 Fastball 2 .00 Cutter 0 na Slider 0 na Strange, eh? Talk about pitching to contact.