Sometimes stat lines in MLB baseball can be very deceiving. Especially when it comes to a pitchers stats. There are so many factors that can affect a pitchers line, lack of run support, errors that lead to having to make extra outs, etc. There are also times where you can look at stat lines and know that you should take it into consideration. For instance, let’s look at a pitching matchup we have tonight.
Player A) 7-1, 1.78 ERA, .85 WHIP
Player B) 0-7, 4.55 ERA, 1.22 WHIP
Someone who doesn’t know much about baseball could figure out that player A is the much obvious choice here. Max Scherzer is on pace for his third straight CY Young and has just been one of the greatest pitchers, maybe even overall players on the season.
10+ strikeouts in 6 of his 9 starts this year, has not let up more than 2 runs in any starts, with only 16 walks to go with this. I could sit here and write forever on his accomplishments, but all you need to know is that he has been as close to perfect to start the year as anyone has ever done, and he has faced lineups much better than this rebuilding Marlins squad.
Then you take this offensive lineup and put them against a struggling pitcher they should have no problem putting up runs. Trae Turner has just been impossible to keep off the bases, Harper has been impossible to keep in the yard and then with all the pieces around them. Urena has only let up 5 home runs on the season, however, they have all came from left-handed batters, and in case you forgot Bryce happens to bat from that side of the plate.
If they decide to throw to him and not just give him the free pass, you will most likely see him take a slow trot around the bags. Look for the offense to explode in this one and Scherzer to continue building his golden resume.
Prediction: Washington Nationals -1.5 over the Miami Marlins