Halfway through our pitching posts, let’s take a step back and learn about some miscellaneous statistics that we’ve either barely touched, or entirely ignored. These are all counting statistics that we use to help determine value and ability. While most are not explicitly used when calculating advanced statistics, they have historical cachet and many fans (including me) still enjoy looking at them.
Starting Pitching
There are a handful of statistics that indicate pitcher longevity; since we’re at a point where starting pitchers are often not allowed to pitch as deep into games, all these events have become a bit more rare.
A quality start was established by sportswriter John Lowe in 1985 as a start where the pitcher goes at least 6 innings and gives up 3 or fewer runs.1Longtime broadcaster for the Minnesota Twins, Bert Blyleven, has his “Bert Quality Start” at 7 or more innings with 2 or fewer runs. The term catching on is a result of starting pitchers becoming overall less effective or important in MLB.2Important to note: if a pitcher managed to hit exactly that threshold on every start, their ERA would be 4.50. While this imaginary result would be lauded for consistency, it is not an overall impressive result.
A complete game is when a pitcher finishes the entire game on their own. Note that if the game goes longer than 9 innings, a pitcher is not credited with a complete game if a new pitcher comes in for extra innings.
A shutout is a complete game where the pitcher gives up no runs.3My favorite shutout is game 7 of the 1991 World Series. Jack Morris pitched ten scoreless innings, and the Twins walked off the Braves in the bottom of the 10th to win the championship.
A no-hitter is a complete game where the pitcher does not allow any hits. Note that a pitcher can lose a game and give up runs despite pitching a no-hitter. Also, since we’re in a descending hierarchy of definitions, a pitcher does not get credited with an official no-hitter if they don’t get a complete game.
A perfect game is the rarest accomplishment, and is really a team effort. It occurs only if no runners ever reach base: this means no hits, walks, or errors of any kind.
Relief Pitching
There are two statistics created in reaction to the increase in “relief” pitching in the 1960s and 1970s.
A save became an officially-tracked statistic in 1969. It is when a closer finishes the game for the winning team during a game that isn’t a blowout. A pitcher can earn a save in any of the following situations:
- They enter the game with a lead of no more than three runs, and pitch at least one inning.
- They enter the game with the tying run either on base or in the on-deck circle.4This implies that the lead could be as much as 5 runs if the pitcher enters with the bases loaded.
- They pitch at least 3 innings to finish the game.
A pitcher cannot earn both a win and a save, so in each situation above the lead must be maintained by the pitcher until the game ends. If done so successfully, they earn a save. If they fail, they get a blown save.
A hold was created in the 1980s, again in reaction to an increased number of relief pitchers appearing at the end of games. The hold is essentially a smaller version of a save. The situation must be the same — a lead of 3 or fewer runs, or enter the game with the tying run on-deck (or closer) — but it only requires that the pitcher get at least 1 out and maintains the lead for the next pitcher. As such, several holds can be earned in a single game, although a single pitcher can not get both a hold and a save, or a hold and a win.5It’s possible to get both a hold and a loss, though!
- The fewest strikeouts in a perfect game is 2, by Addie Joss in 1908.
- Since 1969, the left-handed pitcher with the most complete games in a season is Steve Carlton, who completed 30 of his 41 games in 1972.6Two other pitchers, Catfish Hunter in 1975 and Fergie Jenkins in 1971, completed 30 games as well.
- Since 2000, the most complete games in a season is 11 by James Shields in 2011, 4 of which were shutouts.
- The player with the most career “Bert Blyleven Quality Starts” — 7 innings or more pitched while giving up 2 or fewer runs — is Roger Clemens, with 308. Tied for second are Nolan Ryan and Greg Maddux with 284.7That’s super weird that they are tied.
- Since 2000, the most Bert Blyleven Quality Starts is 178 by Tim Hudson. Although, Justin Verlander is still active and has 176 such starts.
Continue to Day 17 – Expected FIP
- 1Longtime broadcaster for the Minnesota Twins, Bert Blyleven, has his “Bert Quality Start” at 7 or more innings with 2 or fewer runs.
- 2Important to note: if a pitcher managed to hit exactly that threshold on every start, their ERA would be 4.50. While this imaginary result would be lauded for consistency, it is not an overall impressive result.
- 3My favorite shutout is game 7 of the 1991 World Series. Jack Morris pitched ten scoreless innings, and the Twins walked off the Braves in the bottom of the 10th to win the championship.
- 4This implies that the lead could be as much as 5 runs if the pitcher enters with the bases loaded.
- 5It’s possible to get both a hold and a loss, though!
- 6Two other pitchers, Catfish Hunter in 1975 and Fergie Jenkins in 1971, completed 30 games as well.
- 7That’s super weird that they are tied.