Best pitcher in baseball?

[prodigy]

peavy is a 7-inning pitcher because throws a zillion pitches. goes deep into a ton of counts. eventually puts a lot of guys away but hes more deliberate.

 

[texansfan]

To me, an ace helps you rest your bullpen, not extend it. His longest outing last year was 7.1 innings, once. Pitching in that big park should help him pitch longer. I'm sure the manager has something to do with it.

Baseball has changed so much. Remembers years ago when pitchers would have multiple complete games? The game today is set up for middle relievers and closers.

 

[whormoan]

1) Beckett -postseason means EVERYTHING
2) Santana
3) Peavy


Enormous Padres and Peavy fan here who has been disappointed in the guy every postseason (or play-in game)

 

[prodigy]

1) Beckett -postseason means EVERYTHING
2) Santana
3) Peavy


Enormous Padres and Peavy fan here who has been disappointed in the guy every postseason (or play-in game)

stating the obvious here, but colorado shouldnt even have been in the playoffs last season. peavy needed to nail that game down, even at a hitters park.

 

[MistaFlava]

cant be a pitcher in the NL...end of story.

Anyone who dominates AL lineups has my vote.

 

[MistaFlava]

I'll take Oswalt in that top 5 over Sabathia anyday.

Anyeone who gets rocked by one of the worst hitting lineups in maybe 10 years of MLB baseball is not the best pitcher. Did San Diego really get 14 hits last night?

 

[JudgeWapner]

I would put Bedard on the short list. Let's see how he does with some talent behind him.

 

[texansfan]

Anyeone who gets rocked by one of the worst hitting lineups in maybe 10 years of MLB baseball is not the best pitcher. Did San Diego really get 14 hits last night?

Fortunately for me I ignore everything your opinions whenever you give them. Have you erased your record yet?

 

[FairWarning]

I would put Bedard on the short list. Let's see how he does with some talent behind him.

And a pitchers park, or not having to face Boston or the Yankees 7-8 times this year.

 

[LogansRun]

No mention of Halladay?

He's still got pretty good stuff and he can shut down pretty much any AL lineup (except when playing the Rangers in Texas)

 

[paftraft]

Bedard
Joba
Santana

 

[Gator627]

Bedard
Joba
Santana

A set up man? :nohead:

Let's see how nasty Joba is when he has to conserve himself over 7-9 innings.

I bet in a couple years Felix Hernandez will be in this conversation.

I will go Santana. Peavy is one year removed from having an 11-14 season.

Also, how bad is pitching in MLB that Eric Bedard was listed by more than one person? wow.

 

[BigMike56]

I think topics like this are great because there are so many quality guys to name. Halladay is someone who is definitely deserving of a top spot. I am surprised to see guys not being sold on C.C. he has been outstanding IMO. This really is a pretty great time for starting pitching with so many great arms out there. Carpenter is another guy to keep an eye on when he gets healthy, he was certainly one of the best out there before his injury. Maybe its just me but i am thinking Santana might have been figured out a little. I'm not saying he will become bad or even average, but last year I just saw guys waiting back on his change and not respecting his fastball as much. The comment that it has to go to an A.L. pitcher could very well be valid.

 

[FairWarning]

A set up man? :nohead:

Let's see how nasty Joba is when he has to conserve himself over 7-9 innings.

I bet in a couple years Felix Hernandez will be in this conversation.

I will go Santana. Peavy is one year removed from having an 11-14 season.

Also, how bad is pitching in MLB that Eric Bedard was listed by more than one person? wow.

Guess you didn't see Bedard's stats from 2007.

 

[Gator627]

Guess you didn't see Bedard's stats from 2007.

I really hope thats a joke.

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</td></tr></tbody></table>13-5 with a 3.16 ERA...whoa! :lolBIG:

 

[prodigy]

I really hope thats a joke.

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</td></tr></tbody></table>13-5 with a 3.16 ERA...whoa! :lolBIG:

unless youve been living in a cave, a 3.16 era in the american league is very good. if you toss out some early season mediocre outings, he was as good as anyone in the league down the stretch. personally, i dont have him in the top flight class (just below). but he certainly deserves to be mentioned in the conversation.

 

[prodigy]

I think topics like this are great because there are so many quality guys to name. Halladay is someone who is definitely deserving of a top spot. I am surprised to see guys not being sold on C.C. he has been outstanding IMO. This really is a pretty great time for starting pitching with so many great arms out there. Carpenter is another guy to keep an eye on when he gets healthy, he was certainly one of the best out there before his injury. Maybe its just me but i am thinking Santana might have been figured out a little. I'm not saying he will become bad or even average, but last year I just saw guys waiting back on his change and not respecting his fastball as much. The comment that it has to go to an A.L. pitcher could very well be valid.

the next big game sabathia wins will be his first. and when he gets hit around a bit, he doesnt bear down like ace should and limit damage. he tends to implode. when he is on his game, he can be absolutely dominant. but he doesnt handle pressure well, and he was a big reason why cleveland lost a series they should have won last year against the sox.

 

[FairWarning]

I really hope thats a joke.

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</td></tr></tbody></table>13-5 with a 3.16 ERA...whoa! :lolBIG:

I assume you don't do rotisserie baseball. The most underrated stat for a starting pitcher (and possibly the best to judge one on is WHiP). Basically runners (hits+walks/inning). Bedard is rated 3rd in '07. Anything under a 1.2 is very good. Here is the top 20 from last year.

<table class="tablehead" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tbody><tr class="stathead"><td colspan="15">Sortable Pitching</td></tr> <tr class="colhead" align="right"><td align="left">RK</td><td align="left">PLAYER</td><td align="left">TEAM</td><td>K/BB</td><td>K/9</td><td>#PIT</td><td>P/PA</td><td>P/IP</td><td>WPCT</td><td>AGS</td><td>GB</td><td>FB</td><td>G/F</td><td>RS</td><td>WHIP</td></tr><tr class="evenrow" align="right"><td align="left">1</td><td align="left" nowrap="nowrap">Jake Peavy</td><td align="left">SDG</td><td align="right" width="33">3.53</td> <td align="right" width="33">9.67</td> <td align="right" width="33">3617</td> <td align="right" width="33">4.03</td> <td align="right" width="33">16.2</td> <td align="right" width="33">.760</td> <td align="right" width="33">62.2</td> <td align="right" width="33">254</td> <td align="right" width="33">205</td> <td align="right" width="33">1.24</td> <td align="right" width="33">5.84</td> <td class="sortcell" align="right" width="33">1.06</td> </tr><tr class="oddrow" align="right"><td align="left">2</td><td align="left" nowrap="nowrap">Johan Santana</td><td align="left">MIN</td><td align="right" width="33">4.52</td> <td align="right" width="33">9.66</td> <td align="right" width="33">3358</td> <td align="right" width="33">3.82</td> <td align="right" width="33">15.3</td> <td align="right" width="33">.536</td> <td align="right" width="33">59.5</td> <td align="right" width="33">223</td> <td align="right" width="33">242</td> <td align="right" width="33">0.92</td> <td align="right" width="33">5.10</td> <td class="sortcell" align="right" width="33">1.07</td> </tr><tr class="evenrow" align="right"><td align="left">3</td><td align="left" nowrap="nowrap">Erik Bedard</td><td align="left">BAL</td><td align="right" width="33">3.88</td> <td align="right" width="33">10.93</td> <td align="right" width="33">2950</td> <td align="right" width="33">4.02</td> <td align="right" width="33">16.2</td> <td align="right" width="33">.722</td> <td align="right" width="33">60.7</td> <td align="right" width="33">219</td> <td align="right" width="33">149</td> <td align="right" width="33">1.47</td> <td align="right" width="33">4.60</td> <td class="sortcell" align="right" width="33">1.09</td> </tr><tr class="oddrow" align="right"><td align="left">4</td><td align="left" nowrap="nowrap">Chris Young</td><td align="left">SDG</td><td align="right" width="33">2.32</td> <td align="right" width="33">8.69</td> <td align="right" width="33">2892</td> <td align="right" width="33">4.10</td> <td align="right" width="33">16.7</td> <td align="right" width="33">.529</td> <td align="right" width="33">57.9</td> <td align="right" width="33">131</td> <td align="right" width="33">231</td> <td align="right" width="33">0.57</td> <td align="right" width="33">4.06</td> <td class="sortcell" align="right" width="33">1.10</td> </tr><tr class="evenrow" align="right"><td align="left">5</td><td align="left" nowrap="nowrap">James Shields</td><td align="left">TAM</td><td align="right" width="33">5.11</td> <td align="right" width="33">7.70</td> <td align="right" width="33">3199</td> <td align="right" width="33">3.66</td> <td align="right" width="33">14.9</td> <td align="right" width="33">.600</td> <td align="right" width="33">56.0</td> <td align="right" width="33">275</td> <td align="right" width="33">244</td> <td align="right" width="33">1.13</td> <td align="right" width="33">4.94</td> <td class="sortcell" align="right" width="33">1.11</td> </tr><tr class="oddrow" align="right"><td align="left">6</td><td align="left" nowrap="nowrap">Cole Hamels</td><td align="left">PHI</td><td align="right" width="33">4.12</td> <td align="right" width="33">8.69</td> <td align="right" width="33">2792</td> <td align="right" width="33">3.76</td> <td align="right" width="33">15.2</td> <td align="right" width="33">.750</td> <td align="right" width="33">57.9</td> <td align="right" width="33">214</td> <td align="right" width="33">189</td> <td align="right" width="33">1.13</td> <td align="right" width="33">5.99</td> <td class="sortcell" align="right" width="33">1.12</td> </tr><tr class="evenrow" align="right"><td align="left">7</td><td align="left" nowrap="nowrap">Javier Vazquez</td><td align="left">CHW</td><td align="right" width="33">4.26</td> <td align="right" width="33">8.85</td> <td align="right" width="33">3464</td> <td align="right" width="33">3.93</td> <td align="right" width="33">16.0</td> <td align="right" width="33">.652</td> <td align="right" width="33">56.8</td> <td align="right" width="33">243</td> <td align="right" width="33">222</td> <td align="right" width="33">1.09</td> <td align="right" width="33">5.23</td> <td class="sortcell" align="right" width="33">1.14</td> </tr><tr class="oddrow" align="right"><td align="left">8</td><td align="left" nowrap="nowrap">Ted Lilly</td><td align="left">CHC</td><td align="right" width="33">3.16</td> <td align="right" width="33">7.57</td> <td align="right" width="33">3247</td> <td align="right" width="33">3.83</td> <td align="right" width="33">15.7</td> <td align="right" width="33">.652</td> <td align="right" width="33">54.9</td> <td align="right" width="33">199</td> <td align="right" width="33">267</td> <td align="right" width="33">0.75</td> <td align="right" width="33">6.00</td> <td class="sortcell" align="right" width="33">1.14</td> </tr><tr class="evenrow" align="right"><td align="left">9</td><td align="left" nowrap="nowrap">C.C. Sabathia</td><td align="left">CLE</td><td align="right" width="33">5.65</td> <td align="right" width="33">7.80</td> <td align="right" width="33">3582</td> <td align="right" width="33">3.67</td> <td align="right" width="33">14.9</td> <td align="right" width="33">.731</td> <td align="right" width="33">57.8</td> <td align="right" width="33">326</td> <td align="right" width="33">241</td> <td align="right" width="33">1.35</td> <td align="right" width="33">5.64</td> <td class="sortcell" align="right" width="33">1.14</td> </tr><tr class="oddrow" align="right"><td align="left">10</td><td align="left" nowrap="nowrap">Josh Beckett</td><td align="left">BOS</td><td align="right" width="33">4.85</td> <td align="right" width="33">8.70</td> <td align="right" width="33">3104</td> <td align="right" width="33">3.78</td> <td align="right" width="33">15.5</td> <td align="right" width="33">.741</td> <td align="right" width="33">57.8</td> <td align="right" width="33">274</td> <td align="right" width="33">213</td> <td align="right" width="33">1.29</td> <td align="right" width="33">6.59</td> <td class="sortcell" align="right" width="33">1.14</td> </tr><tr class="colhead" align="right"><td align="left">RK</td><td align="left">PLAYER</td><td align="left">TEAM</td><td>K/BB</td><td>K/9</td><td>#PIT</td><td>P/PA</td><td>P/IP</td><td>WPCT</td><td>AGS</td><td>GB</td><td>FB</td><td>G/F</td><td>RS</td><td>WHIP</td></tr><tr class="evenrow" align="right"><td align="left">11</td><td align="left" nowrap="nowrap">Aaron Harang</td><td align="left">CIN</td><td align="right" width="33">4.19</td> <td align="right" width="33">8.47</td> <td align="right" width="33">3591</td> <td align="right" width="33">3.79</td> <td align="right" width="33">15.5</td> <td align="right" width="33">.727</td> <td align="right" width="33">56.8</td> <td align="right" width="33">267</td> <td align="right" width="33">268</td> <td align="right" width="33">1.00</td> <td align="right" width="33">5.87</td> <td class="sortcell" align="right" width="33">1.14</td> </tr><tr class="oddrow" align="right"><td align="left">12</td><td align="left" nowrap="nowrap">Orlando Hernandez</td><td align="left">NYM</td><td align="right" width="33">2.00</td> <td align="right" width="33">7.80</td> <td align="right" width="33">2484</td> <td align="right" width="33">4.09</td> <td align="right" width="33">16.8</td> <td align="right" width="33">.643</td> <td align="right" width="33">55.6</td> <td align="right" width="33">150</td> <td align="right" width="33">189</td> <td align="right" width="33">0.79</td> <td align="right" width="33">4.21</td> <td class="sortcell" align="right" width="33">1.17</td> </tr><tr class="evenrow" align="right"><td align="left">13</td><td align="left" nowrap="nowrap">John Smoltz</td><td align="left">ATL</td><td align="right" width="33">4.19</td> <td align="right" width="33">8.62</td> <td align="right" width="33">3069</td> <td align="right" width="33">3.60</td> <td align="right" width="33">14.9</td> <td align="right" width="33">.636</td> <td align="right" width="33">57.2</td> <td align="right" width="33">271</td> <td align="right" width="33">205</td> <td align="right" width="33">1.32</td> <td align="right" width="33">4.81</td> <td class="sortcell" align="right" width="33">1.18</td> </tr><tr class="oddrow" align="right"><td align="left">14</td><td align="left" nowrap="nowrap">Brandon Webb</td><td align="left">ARI</td><td align="right" width="33">2.69</td> <td align="right" width="33">7.39</td> <td align="right" width="33">3443</td> <td align="right" width="33">3.53</td> <td align="right" width="33">14.6</td> <td align="right" width="33">.643</td> <td align="right" width="33">58.0</td> <td align="right" width="33">431</td> <td align="right" width="33">129</td> <td align="right" width="33">3.34</td> <td align="right" width="33">4.38</td> <td class="sortcell" align="right" width="33">1.19</td> </tr><tr class="evenrow" align="right"><td align="left">15</td><td align="left" nowrap="nowrap">A.J. Burnett</td><td align="left">TOR</td><td align="right" width="33">2.67</td> <td align="right" width="33">9.56</td> <td align="right" width="33">2661</td> <td align="right" width="33">3.85</td> <td align="right" width="33">16.1</td> <td align="right" width="33">.556</td> <td align="right" width="33">57.2</td> <td align="right" width="33">243</td> <td align="right" width="33">127</td> <td align="right" width="33">1.91</td> <td align="right" width="33">5.11</td> <td class="sortcell" align="right" width="33">1.19</td> </tr><tr class="oddrow" align="right"><td align="left">16</td><td align="left" nowrap="nowrap">Rich Hill</td><td align="left">CHC</td><td align="right" width="33">2.90</td> <td align="right" width="33">8.45</td> <td align="right" width="33">3074</td> <td align="right" width="33">3.79</td> <td align="right" width="33">15.8</td> <td align="right" width="33">.579</td> <td align="right" width="33">54.6</td> <td align="right" width="33">201</td> <td align="right" width="33">218</td> <td align="right" width="33">0.92</td> <td align="right" width="33">3.65</td> <td class="sortcell" align="right" width="33">1.19</td> </tr><tr class="evenrow" align="right"><td align="left">17</td><td align="left" nowrap="nowrap">Dan Haren</td><td align="left">OAK</td><td align="right" width="33">3.49</td> <td align="right" width="33">7.76</td> <td align="right" width="33">3642</td> <td align="right" width="33">3.90</td> <td align="right" width="33">16.4</td> <td align="right" width="33">.625</td> <td align="right" width="33">56.1</td> <td align="right" width="33">301</td> <td align="right" width="33">245</td> <td align="right" width="33">1.23</td> <td align="right" width="33">5.13</td> <td class="sortcell" align="right" width="33">1.21</td> </tr><tr class="oddrow" align="right"><td align="left">18</td><td align="left" nowrap="nowrap">Jeremy Guthrie</td><td align="left">BAL</td><td align="right" width="33">2.62</td> <td align="right" width="33">6.31</td> <td align="right" width="33">2677</td> <td align="right" width="33">3.70</td> <td align="right" width="33">15.3</td> <td align="right" width="33">.583</td> <td align="right" width="33">54.6</td> <td align="right" width="33">234</td> <td align="right" width="33">194</td> <td align="right" width="33">1.21</td> <td align="right" width="33">5.13</td> <td class="sortcell" align="right" width="33">1.21</td> </tr><tr class="evenrow" align="right"><td align="left">19</td><td align="left" nowrap="nowrap">Fausto Carmona</td><td align="left">CLE</td><td align="right" width="33">2.25</td> <td align="right" width="33">5.73</td> <td align="right" width="33">3139</td> <td align="right" width="33">3.57</td> <td align="right" width="33">14.6</td> <td align="right" width="33">.704</td> <td align="right" width="33">56.2</td> <td align="right" width="33">430</td> <td align="right" width="33">131</td> <td align="right" width="33">3.28</td> <td align="right" width="33">5.02</td> <td class="sortcell" align="right" width="33">1.21</td> </tr><tr class="oddrow" align="right"><td align="left">20</td><td align="left" nowrap="nowrap">John Lackey</td><td align="left">LAA</td><td align="right" width="33">3.44</td> <td align="right" width="33">7.19</td> <td align="right" width="33">3399</td> <td align="right" width="33">3.66</td> <td align="right" width="33">15.2</td> <td align="right" width="33">.679</td> <td align="right" width="33">56.5</td> <td align="right" width="33">307</td> <td align="right" width="33">245</td> <td align="right" width="33">1.25</td> <td align="right" width="33">4.86</td> <td class="sortcell" align="right" width="33">1.21</td></tr></tbody></table>

 

[VIEJODINOSAUR]

Partial to Cole Hamels...imagine losing a 1-0 game in the bandbox at Philly....he is definitetly a future Cy Young winner...

 

[Gator627]

unless youve been living in a cave, a 3.16 era in the american league is very good. if you toss out some early season mediocre outings, he was as good as anyone in the league down the stretch. personally, i dont have him in the top flight class (just below). but he certainly deserves to be mentioned in the conversation.

Like I said, how bad is pitching in baseball right now? 3.16 is below average for a Top 5 pitcher, IMO.