When someone asks how many wins a pitcher has, feel free to laugh: because it really does not matter. And David Price is the perfect example of it this season.
Price is 7-3 with a 4.66 ERA. It does not mean he has been a great pitcher this season. It means his offense has put up a lot of runs. But yesterday, they did not do anything for him.
In the Red Sox 2-1 loss to the San Francisco Giants last night, Price went eight strong innings, allowing two runs on three hits. Both hits he allowed were solo home runs. He allowed two runs in eight innings (2.25 ERA). But since the Red Sox were AWOL at the plate, he was credited with a loss.
Early on in, Price had not been pitching well. His record would not have given that illusion though as he went 4-0 with a 6.14 ERA in his first six starts of the season. And he is 0-2 in his past three starts with a 2.53 ERA. He has hurled six straight quality starts — but he only has wins to his credit in three of those.
Only one explanation as to why Price’s record was what it was early on in:
But no one is luckier than Henry Owens. Not even for his wins/losses, just because he throws 88 mph without command and has had a few quality MLB outings.
Last year, then-Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Shelby Miller went 6-17 with a 3.03 ERA. His record gave them impression that he was awful when in reality, he was one of the best starting pitchers in the game. He was an All-Star. He just happened to play for far and away the worst hitting team in Major League Baseball. That’s like Eugene from Hey Arnold luck right there.
Rick Porcello has a better record than Steven Wright this year and Wade Miley is 6-2 with a 5.27 ERA pitching half his games in a pitcher’s haven (Safeco Field).
And who could forget Brandon Workman going 1-10 with a 5.17 ERA in 2014? Not good. But not exactly 1-10 material either. And no, Workman isn’t dead — yet.
Quick update on Workman: He was optioned to Triple-A to start 2015. His task was relieving. But he never made an appearance, needed Tommy John Surgery and has been a ghost since. He does not seem to be on track to pitch for the Sox this year and no, he cannot replace Carson Smith.
One last thing on wins: Alfredo Aceves went 24-3 in his first four big league seasons.
It just doesn’t make sense. But it reminds me of a great line about bananas in a Gwen Stefani song.