New SNY graphic gimmick misses mark

Phil Mushnick

“The only problem here is that you may not want to throw the change-up because Hill has been late on the fastball, every time. You’ll speed up his bat if you throw a change-up for a strike.”

The pitch: Hill strikes out, looking — at a fastball.

SNY’s presentation of the Pitch Predictor alerted viewers to a change-up because data shows Gee to throw it 31 percent of the time in such situations, well up from other situations. But that means that in such situations, there’s a 69 percent chance Gee will throw something else! And what percent of that 69 percent are 3-2 fastballs? Hmm, 96 percent?

NY Post photo composite

FRINK TANK: Ron Darling, Gary Cohen and Keith Hernandez of SNY did their best to try to explain the network’s new “Pitch Predictor” graphic, but it sounded more like something Professor Frink from “The Simpsons” might have come up with, says The Post’s Phil Mushnick.

The data-loaded Pitch Predictor told us in this particular circumstance, be on the lookout for the pitch that the pitcher is least likely to throw. Got that?

Q: Can’t we just watch the game? A: No.

Oh, the Mets lost, 5-4. But Mets reliever Tim Byrdak did get his fifth hold of the season. In one-third of an inning he allowed an earned run, but he didn’t blow the lead — good enough to earn a hold.

But look at it this way: SNY was able to turn a 5-4 game into a laugher.

Official story: Refs at fault, claims MSG

Seems every time the Knicks or Rangers are losing, aren’t winning or have lost, an MSG Network voice blames the refs. Saturday during Game 4 of Rangers-Capitals, that was a steady theme from Rangers radio analyst Dave Maloney.

* It took a remarkably long time — 17 minutes! — for Saturday’s Kentucky Derby payoffs to be posted. Yet, no acknowledgement or explanation from NBC. Was the delay due to a track issue or did NBC withhold the info to hold the audience?

Good prerace celebrity Derby picks spot from NBC. Skier Bode Miller selected Bodemeister, Joan Rivers touted Done Talking — she claimed it was Never Done Talking — and, staying in character, Jack Black chose the winner, I’ll Have Another.

* Disinclined to ignore a vulgar chant from the New Jersey crowd during Flyers-Devils on Thursday, Devils radio team Matt Loughlin and Sherry Ross spoke their regrets and disapproval. Good. Rather than ignore the inescapable, all game announcers should — must, before it’s too late — condemn such public incivilities.

The Clippers’ 87-86 win Saturday, had that neo-classical look. The Clippers hit — “knocked down” — eight-of-17 3s (47 percent), yet kept the Grizzlies alive by making only 13 of 30 free throws (43 percent). Wonder if there’s a correlation between the rise of ESPN and the decline of free-throw shooting?

Jamie Moyer, 49-year-old pitcher, Saturday accused Chipper Jones of stealing signs. What sign could Jones steal, the one for his 80 mph fastball or those for his off-speed stuff?

* Yesterday from Kansas City, Suzyn Waldman dropped this news nugget: “Andy [Pettitte] doesn’t want to come back before he’s ready.” Stop the presses!

Wait. Tiger Woods missed the cut, but they played the rest of the tournament anyway? Why? What for?

David Cone, during yesterday’s YES trivia segment, tried to provide Ken Singleton a hint on Cy Young Award winners: “Think more modern era.” Singleton: “Oh, not my era? Is that what you’re trying to say?” Cone: “How’d you make out against Bob Feller?”

* Reader David Wilde: “Is it me or is there a twinkle in Bob Costas’ eye when he interviews a jockey? It’s as if, just once, he’ll be asked, ‘How’s the weather up there?’ ”

It’s official! As heard Saturday on WCBS’ Yankees radio, “Brut is the official men’s bathroom products partner of the Yankees’ radio network.” I guess Brut out-bid Glade.