For Decades, Relievers Pitched Better Than Starters. Not Anymore.

The_Knuckler · 08-24-2019, 10:10 AM

I thought you guys would appreciate this article.

https://fivethirtyeight.com/features...s-not-anymore/

pgjocki · 08-24-2019, 10:22 AM

This makes sense and we will see what happens come late September and October.

Of course if I was a GM I would want my starter making $20 million a year to be better than the reliever making league minimum or a few million.

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Argonaut · 08-27-2019, 01:07 PM

Perhaps contrary to the tone of the article, the data suggests that teams have found just about the right balance of starter/reliever innings. If starter and reliever ERA is in equilibrium, then that's the most optimal balance, right?

I'm not a huge fan of the reliever parade though, and wouldn't mind seeing future rules address it in a non-drastic way.

dkgo · 08-27-2019, 02:22 PM

Here's another interesting article

https://blogs.fangraphs.com/the-real-reliever-problem/

Basically there are more meaningless innings than ever before and managers are using worse pitchers to get thru them which brings down aggregate reliever performance numbers

Reed · 08-30-2019, 05:17 PM

Comparing starters ERA to relievers ERA is a bit like comparing apples to oranges. For example tied game bottom of 9th. Starter gets 2 outs and allows a single. Reliever comes in and allows a couple hits which allows winning run to score. IMO the earned run should be charged to the reliever but it is charged to the starter.
WH/IP or some other metric might be a better comparison.

CBeisbol · 09-07-2019, 04:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reed

Comparing starters ERA to relievers ERA is a bit like comparing apples to oranges. For example tied game bottom of 9th. Starter gets 2 outs and allows a single. Reliever comes in and allows a couple hits which allows winning run to score. IMO the earned run should be charged to the reliever but it is charged to the starter.
WH/IP or some other metric might be a better comparison.

That's a reasonable point.
A reliever can allow a run to be credited to a starter. But a starter can't allow a run to be credited to a reliever.

Unless, as maybe should be done, openers should be counted as relievers and "bulk guys" or "featured pitchers" or whatever should be counted as starters.

Or, maybe the idea of starter and reliever has run about run its course.

08-24-2019, 10:10 AM	#1
The_Knuckler Minors (Single A) Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 70	For Decades, Relievers Pitched Better Than Starters. Not Anymore. I thought you guys would appreciate this article. https://fivethirtyeight.com/features...s-not-anymore/

08-24-2019, 10:22 AM	#2
pgjocki All Star Starter Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Maryland - just outside DC Posts: 1,483	This makes sense and we will see what happens come late September and October. Of course if I was a GM I would want my starter making $20 million a year to be better than the reliever making league minimum or a few million. Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk __________________ - - - World Series championships: 1926, 1931, 1934, 1942, 1944, 1946, 1964, 1967, 1982, 2006, 2011

08-27-2019, 01:07 PM	#3
Argonaut All Star Starter Join Date: Apr 2019 Posts: 1,085	Perhaps contrary to the tone of the article, the data suggests that teams have found just about the right balance of starter/reliever innings. If starter and reliever ERA is in equilibrium, then that's the most optimal balance, right? I'm not a huge fan of the reliever parade though, and wouldn't mind seeing future rules address it in a non-drastic way. __________________ Texas Rangers Dynasty (Est. 1972) Hartford Whalers Dynasty: Brass Bonanza

08-27-2019, 02:22 PM	#4
dkgo Hall Of Famer Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 2,152	Here's another interesting article https://blogs.fangraphs.com/the-real-reliever-problem/ Basically there are more meaningless innings than ever before and managers are using worse pitchers to get thru them which brings down aggregate reliever performance numbers

08-30-2019, 05:17 PM	#5
Reed All Star Starter Join Date: Oct 2013 Posts: 1,947	Comparing starters ERA to relievers ERA is a bit like comparing apples to oranges. For example tied game bottom of 9th. Starter gets 2 outs and allows a single. Reliever comes in and allows a couple hits which allows winning run to score. IMO the earned run should be charged to the reliever but it is charged to the starter. WH/IP or some other metric might be a better comparison.