Most starts, 2 ER or fewer, first 60 games of the season
Posted by Andy on June 5, 2008
Edinson Volquez turned in another great performance last night, overcoming Brett Myers' no-hit bid into the 7th inning to beat the Phillies. He once again allowed 2 ER or fewer, which he has done in all 12 starts so far this year.
Here are the pitchers since 1956 with the most starts allowing 2 or fewer ER in his team's first 60 games.
Year Games Link to Individual Games +-----------------+----+-----+-------------------------+ Joe Coleman 1972 15 Ind. Games Wilbur Wood 1972 14 Ind. Games Greg Maddux 1994 13 Ind. Games Tom Bradley 1971 13 Ind. Games Wilbur Wood 1973 12 Ind. Games Bill Travers 1976 12 Ind. Games Tom Timmermann 1972 12 Ind. Games Zane Smith 1986 12 Ind. Games Tom Seaver 1975 12 Ind. Games Mike Scott 1986 12 Ind. Games J.R. Richard 1980 12 Ind. Games Gaylord Perry 1972 12 Ind. Games Gaylord Perry 1974 12 Ind. Games Jim Palmer 1972 12 Ind. Games Jim Palmer 1978 12 Ind. Games Sam McDowell 1969 12 Ind. Games Juan Marichal 1965 12 Ind. Games Juan Marichal 1967 12 Ind. Games Sandy Koufax 1966 12 Ind. Games Sam Jones 1960 12 Ind. Games Randy Johnson 2000 12 Ind. Games Tommy John 1966 12 Ind. Games Joe Horlen 1968 12 Ind. Games Ken Holtzman 1973 12 Ind. Games Ken Holtzman 1972 12 Ind. Games +-----------------+----+-----+-------------------------+ Year Games Link to Individual Games +-----------------+----+-----+-------------------------+ Danny Haren 2007 12 Ind. Games Tom Glavine 2002 12 Ind. Games Woodie Fryman 1968 12 Ind. Games Whitey Ford 1964 12 Ind. Games Juan Eichelberger 1981 12 Ind. Games Don Drysdale 1968 12 Ind. Games John Denny 1983 12 Ind. Games Vida Blue 1971 12 Ind. Games
Keep in mind that Volquez has only had 12 opportunities so far, and has converted all 12. Back in the days of 4-man rotations, pitchers had more opportunities in the first 60 games.
June 5th, 2008 at 6:23 am
I went back and did a streak finder like Raphy did in his post about Volquez a couple of weeks ago. Turns out he just tied John Tudor for longest streak since 1956 to start a season with 2 or fewer ER in each start:
http://www.bb-ref.com/pi/shareit/GfaU
June 5th, 2008 at 2:21 pm
Coleman, Wood, Timmermann, Perry, Holtzman, Palmer all in the 1972 American League had these great starts. You can see why the American League panicked and went with the DH. Three of them came back to perform the feat again in the DH-era: Palmer (1978), Perry (1974), and Holtzman (1973). Take that, DH!
Personally, I hate the DH. To quote Crash Davis: "there should be a constitutional amendment outlawing astroturf and the designated hitter." Astroturf is now on the demise. So too should be the DH.
June 5th, 2008 at 5:33 pm
J.R. Richard in 1980. 12 of those starts in his 1st 14 starts. Then his "dead arm" hit, leading to the stroke. He was off to a great season. J.R. could have propelled the Astros to the Series that year.
June 5th, 2008 at 11:22 pm
In the days of 4-man rotations, pitchers were more likely to pitch 9 innings than they are today, which made it harder to keep the earned runs down to 2 or fewer.
June 6th, 2008 at 2:23 pm
Can someone let me know how you look up a stat like this? It'd really help me out. Thanks.
June 8th, 2008 at 11:24 pm
Use the Pitching Gamelog Finder. Under "Role" select Starter. Under "Additional Criteria..." selected ER less than or equal to 2. Choose In Team's First 60 Games. Then sort by Players With Games in Year.