Here’s the final post of the series. We are looking at the contending teams in MLB this year to see which of them fit the championship profile we created this winter. Here’s the rest of the NL (we already looked at the Phillies, Braves, Pirates, and Giants).
NL EAST
- 2010 Mets: 6.9 K/9, 3.70 ERA, 106 ERA+, 1.37 WHIP
- 2011 Mets: 7.0, 3.92, 96, 1.32
I included the Mets because, well, there were no other teams in this division with a winning record, so at 47-47, they seemed perfectly average. They are. Enough said. Giants fans, this is what so many other baseball fans have to deal with. Be grateful!
NL CENTRAL
- 2010 Reds: 7.0 K/9, 4.01 ERA, 103 ERA+, 1.33 WHIP
- 2011 Reds: 6.9, 4.17, 94, 1.33
- 2010 Cardinals: 6.8, 3.57, 108, 1.30
- 2011 Cardinals: 6.5, 3.96, 92, 1.31
- 2010 Brewers: 7.9, 4.58, 89, 1.44
- 2011 Brewers: 8.0, 4.15, 96, 1.32
Based on the analysis so far, the edge in this division has to go to the Pirates. They have seen the most dramatic improvement out of these four teams. I worry about them because they are not a strikeout team and rely so heavily on defense, but the evidence is there. Out of these three teams, I still favor Milwaukee. Greinke is finally getting it together, Gallardo has been better lately, and Marcum has been a little banged up. I can seem them pushing their ERA+ over 100 before the season ends. I’m afraid the Reds have no chance, and the Cardinals always seem to beat the odds and the stats. None of these clubs, though, profile as a championship team.
NL WEST
- 2010 Diamondbacks: 6.7 K/9, 4.81, 89 ERA+, 1.43
- 2011 Diamondbacks: 6.9, 4.07, 97, 1.32
- 2010 Rockies: 7.7, 4.14, 114, 1.34
- 2011 Rockies: 6.9, 4.13, 110, 1.33
The D-Backs have definitely improved, but they still are not league average. Undoubtedly this speaks to the improvements the team has made in the bullpen and the fact that they have a couple of good starters. So, good for Arizona, they are making progress. But this is not really a contending team. The Rockies are really interesting. They are down a bit in their strikeout rate (due to losing De La Rosa and a poor season from Jimenez), but they are still pitching really well. Better than any team in NL Central. There are a lot of rumors swirling about trading Ubaldo but how foolish would that be? They have the pitching to contend, but, amazingly for Colorado, their offense is letting them down. This confirms my suspicion that the Giants are actually competing against the Rockies for this division.
So, there you go, a look at MLB through a narrow lens of pitching stats. Comment what you will. The reality is the Giants, Braves, and Phillies are going to do battle this postseason and whoever walks out of that will likely win the World Series. And to be quite specific, the road to the championship goes through Philly this year.
(-SB)
