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Originally Posted by doug.goodman
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Interesting research, thanks for posting. I wish they'd allow starters to pitch longer, and even allow middle relievers to go all the way. I feel like the fewer the relievers, the better. Those multi-pitcher no-hitters always seem unsatisfying to me compared with a complete game no-hitter.
I think MLB's move to have relievers face at least 3 batters (or close out an inning) was a small step in the right direction.
That being said, it is a difficult subject to research, because teams went from not using closers to using them so quickly, so there wasn't a huge window of time to compare teams that used closers with those that didn't. The figure 12 in the research shows that relievers have had a lower ERA than starters since 1954 with the exception of two years. I'd like to see the same graph with WHIP to account for starters getting earned runs after they have left the game. Probably wouldn't make a big difference though.
Here is an article about how the save statistic is making baseball worse (and how Goose Gossage's
expletive-laced rants on the subject have a point).
https://fivethirtyeight.com/features...lief-pitchers/
And another article by Nate Silver contrasting pitchers who have been both starters and relievers in their career, and how to bring balance back to bullpens:
https://fivethirtyeight.com/features...lan-to-fix-it/
01-22-2024, 05:43 AM
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