eMailbag: Non-Horrible Starts
One of my best friends, Johnny G, sent in the following e-mail, which read:
“I recently have become annoyed when I see the
stat ‘Quality Start’ used. I think its parameters are terrible. If a pitcher pitches six innings and gives up three earned runs, it qualifies as a ‘Quality Start.’ Don’t people realize that this is an ERA of 4.50.
“If you ask anyone to categorize a pitcher with an ERA of 4.50, it definitely wouldn’t be ‘Quality.’
“The stat should be a minimum of six innings pitched with two earned runs or less, which is an ERA of 3.00. Otherwise, change the name to “Non-horrible Starts.”
…it’s a good point…this term does lower the bar on defining what is and isn’t ‘quality,’ which is sort of your point…actually, the conspirarcy theorist in me thinks this stat had to have been invented by the MLB Player’s Union to use in arbitration cases…
…thanks, johnny…see you at BAR on Saturday…
