A couple of weeks ago, I was watching a baseball game and on TV, it showed that a pitcher did pitch well with runners in scoring position last season. It’s been almost a month since the 2022 season began and I’m just wondering whether this pitcher is also pitching well with runners in scoring position this year.
And, more important, which pitchers are pitching well with runners in scoring position?
By far, among qualified pitchers, there are 5 pitchers who haven’t given up a hit with runners in scoring position. The 2021 NL Cy Young winner Corbin Burnes already made 5 starts and he currently has a 1.93 ERA and a 0.73 WHIP. Opponents only hit .153 against him and he hasn’t given up a hit when runners are in scoring position. Moreover, Nathan Eovaldi has a 2.51 ERA and a 0.94 WHIP in 5 starts. He hasn’t given up a hit or a walk with runners in scoring position. Joe Ryan, who made his first career Opening Day start this year, hasn’t allowed a hit or a walk when runners are in scoring position, either.
In addition, please keep an eye on Pablo Lopez. He only gave up one run in 23.1 innings. Opponents haven’t collected a hit against him with runners in scoring position. Well, his WHIP is only 0.73, it’s actually quite hard to get on base when Pablo Lopez is on the mound. Additionally, Alek Manoah already made 4 starts and he earned 4 wins. He has a good 1.44 ERA and a 0.88 WHIP in 25 innings, opponents have to find a way to collect a hit against Manoah when runners are in scoring position.
At the same time, Carlos Rodon gave up a hit when runners are in scoring position, but he certainly knows how to limit damage. With runners in scoring position, he already threw 11 strikeouts. Also, Zack Greinke, Michael Lorenzen, Kyle Wright, Logan Gilbert and Gerrit Cole each gave up a hit with runners in scoring position by far.
However, some pitchers seem to have big problems when runners are in scoring position.
By far, 5 pitchers each gave up at least 10 hits with runners in scoring position. Dallas Keuchel won the 2015 AL Cy Young award. However, now, he has an ugly 8.40 ERA and a 2.33 WHIP in 4 starts. With runners in scoring position, he already gave up 12 hits and opponents hit .444 against him. At the same time, Miguel Yajure allowed 11 hits with runners in scoring position so far. Yajure made 6 relief appearances and threw 10.1 innings with an 11.32 ERA and a 2.13 WHIP. Meanwhile, Patrick Corbin, Tyler Mahle and Reiver Sanmartin each gave up 10 hits when runners are in scoring position.
It’s just the first month of the 2022 season. Some pitchers have a great start and they definitely want to extend this good performance to the entire season. However, it might not be easy to see a pitcher who throws 100+ innings and finishes a season without giving up a hit with runners in scoring position. Nonetheless, for some pitchers, they have to learn how to limit damage when runners are in scoring position and the good news is that it’s just the first month of the regular season and they still have time to make adjustments.
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