The Boston Red Sox are shaking things up during the MLB trade deadline! In a bold move, they’ve snagged left-handed reliever Steven Matz from the St. Louis Cardinals in exchange for prospect Blaze Jordan. Let’s dive into Matz's 2023 stats and what they could mean for the team.

1. Dominance with the Curveball!

Matz boasts an impressive curveball that rivals the best in the league. Opponents are managing a mere .188 batting average against it—a pitch he unleashes 20.6% of the time. With numbers highlighting a solid whiff percentage of 24.1%, it seems the Red Sox may look to maximize this part of his arsenal, similar to their approach with Jorge Alcala earlier this season.

2. Sinking Fast!

Matz heavily relies on his sinker, throwing it a whopping 59.4% of the time! While this is a familiar favorite for him, it's worth noting he hasn't dipped below 50% in any season except last year. However, he's faced some challenges, allowing a .258 batting average against it.

3. The Changeup Conundrum!

Now, here’s where things get tricky. Matz’s changeup, primarily used against right-handed hitters, has been a key contributor to his struggles. With an alarming .556 slugging percentage against it, adjusting this pitch’s frequency could be imperative. Righties have been hitting him hard, towering over his stats against left-handers.

4. A Rocky Road Since May!

After a blazing start to the season—allowing only four earned runs in 26.2 innings—Matz has hit a rough patch with a 5.40 ERA in his last 21 outings. But don't let those numbers fool you; his high batting average on balls in play suggests he might be getting more than his fair share of bad luck.

5. Meltdowns and Shutdowns – What’s the Verdict?

In an eye-opening statistic, Matz has seen more meltdowns (9) than shutdowns (8), resulting in a Win Probability Added of -0.68. For context, his struggles contrast starkly with those of similar pitchers in the league, highlighting the consistency needed to secure wins.

As Matz arrives in Boston, fans are eager to see how these statistics translate on the mound. Will the Red Sox make the most of his curveball and revamp his approach against righties? Only time will tell! Keep an eye on this space for updates as the season progresses!