Major League Jerk

Ahh, run support, the key ingredient in wins and losses for pitchers.  As we’ve discussed before, wins and losses are a silly thing by which to measure a pitcher.  Here, take a look:

1. Garrett Olson, BAL, 7.29 RPG, 6.38 ERA, 8-6 W/L, 68 Ks, 108.0 IP, 1.71 WHIP

2. Kyle Kendrick, PHI, 7.05 RPG, 4.87 ERA, 11-7 W/L, 64 Ks, 140.1 IP, 1.55 WHIP

3. Gavin Floyd, CHW, 6.85 RPG, 3.78 ERA, 13-6 W/L, 110 Ks, 152.1 IP, 1.27 WHIP

4. Glen Perkins, MIN, 6.79 RPG, 3.90 ERA, 11-3 W/L, 60 Ks, 124.2 IP, 1.39 WHIP

5. Sidney Ponson, NYY/TEX, 6.69 RPG, 4.67 ERA, 4-7 W/L, 46 Ks, 111.2 IP, 1.59 WHIP

Garrett Olson may very well be the worst every day starter in all of baseball this year.  He’s currently inactive but he has made 21 starts this season and has the worst ERA among all starters with at least 100 innings of work.  He also has the second worst WHIP at 1.71.  Now, you would think he would have a record of 1-13, but no, he’s sitting at 8-6.   Every other starter with an ERA over 5.40 has a losing record (with the exception of Livan Hernandez), but Olson, the worst starter in all of baseball, has a winning record.  Why?  Is he deserving of this record?  Nope.  He receives 7.29 runs of support to counter-balance his 6.38 runs allowed each game.  Do you see how dumb wins and losses are?  Do you?