Running 2015 MLB Regular-Season Thread

His poor 2010 season with the Red Sox notwithstanding, Papelbon has been one of the best relievers in the majors for close to a decade.

Ridiculously overpaid sure, but nowhere near "sucking," Creosote.

 

I don't think I could argue against either choice, but Greinke is really close to having an ERA that hasn't been seen for a full season in 20 years.

I guess one stat I'd like to know is how many times Greinke left with a lead and watched the bullpen blow it. I like starting pitchers who are around long enough to get the decision, and Arietta has five more (six if he gets the win or loss tonight).

Not sure at all how I'd vote if I had a vote, although if Arietta throws a second no-hitter tonight I'd lean that way.

 

Just look at innings pitched. A pitcher has no control of their bullpen.

 

Greinke's ERA stands at 1.65 heading into his start Monday. Arrieta dropped his to 1.82 with seven shutout innings tonight. It is still possible Arrieta ends up with the lower ERA and he is going to end up with a lot more strikeouts and probably more innings pitched.

I'm as big a fan of Greinke as anybody, but Arrieta could grab the award with another dominant start.

 

I think Arrieta has made three more starts right now and about more 16 IP , although Greinke cuts into those numbers tomorrow. I know he missed one start when his wife went into labor. So for now Arrieta has six more decisions (3-3 in those extra six). These last two weeks will be interesting.

 

Agreed. I'm just wondering if his bullpen has cost him a few victories, which I might be tempted to factor into his favor.

 

It's odd you would focus in on decisions.l

 

I guess that's why wins would be far down the list on the things I would look at.

 

Just a little, but it's a sign that he's going deep into games and still around even in games decided late.

 

They control how much their bullpen pitches.

If the starting pitcher has only thrown 85 pitches through 7, he's probably going to work the eighth.

If they have thrown 95 through six, then...

 

Greinke has the distinct advantage in only one category, ERA, right?

Arrietta has wins, Ks, starts and innings pitched on his side, right?

 

Throwing this idea out there, too, since this is a pretty good discussion: Greinke has allowed just 40 total runs (38 earned) to 52 (45 earned) for Arrieta. The big part of the difference being that Greinke has allowed just two unearned runs while Arrieta has allowed seven. I know unearned runs are basically "not the pitcher's fault" because of an error, but it's also to a pitcher's credit that he buckle down after an error and not give up a big hit that compounds the error. I'm not saying that Arrieta's seven unearned runs are a problem, but I think that Greinke has only allowed two unearned runs all year is a pretty impressive stat. Then again, the Dodgers have just 74 errors to 105 for the Cubs, so maybe that's the difference.

For what it's worth, Arrieta is averaging 6.96 innings per start, Greinke 6.92. Kershaw is at 7.096.