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What Constitutes a Quality Start?

9
Vote

by user Niteowl049

Seems like the requirements for a quality start have changed in the last few years. For years a quality start was pitching 7 innings and allowing 3 or less runs was a quality start but recently saw a story online about a pitcher having a quality start who had pitched 6 innings and had allowed 3 runs. Just would like to hear from readers what they think constitutes a quality start. Using the 6 innings and allowing 3 runs as constituting a quality start Dan Haren would have 15 quality starts in 16 starts with only a 5 inning start allowing 3 runs not meeting the requirement for a 6 inning quality start.

Even using the 7 inning requirement he has 13 starts out of 16 meeting those requirements. Maybe the reduced pitch counts are causing less pitchers to pitch seven innings since if they exceed the pitch count they could be removed from a game as early as the fifth or sixth inning.


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JuTMSY4Legend
914 days ago
Score 5+-
6 innings and less than 3 runs and doesn't allow more than 3 earned runs...i think Its a "real" statistic
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AngelaSJV Squad
914 days ago
Score 2+-
The Quality Start is, in fact, 6IP 3ER. And it's not all that new. The statistic was invented in 1985. (And I'm with you on feeling quality's more about length for me, but that's possibly because I'm used to being completely terrified of my team's bullpen.)
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Niteowl049AAA-er
914 days ago
Score 1+-
JuTM...I agree that 6 innings is reasonable now with fewer pitchers pitching into the seventh inning due to pitch counts.
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JuTMSY4Legend
914 days ago
Score 0+-
oh well, In my opinion? Probably 7 innings and 4 earned or less...I think a quality start is more about staying in a game than giving up less runs...because if you stay in a game, you must being doing pretty well
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Niteowl049AAA-er
914 days ago
Score 0+-
Agree that pitching 7 innings these days is an accomplishment meaning the pitcher didn't pitch many high pitch count innings.
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JuTMSY4Legend
914 days ago
Score 1+-
right on...
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InsanMajor Leaguer
914 days ago
Score 2+-
I think 4 earned runs is too much. 3 or less is good with at least 6 innings pitched.
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JuTMSY4Legend
914 days ago
Score 0+-
So you're fine with the way it is?
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InsanMajor Leaguer
914 days ago
Score 3+-
Yes, but its a little more complicated than that. According to my math, (which is horrible so correct me if I'm wrong) 3 ER's with 6 innings pitched will give someone an ERA higher than 4. I think in order to be a quality pitcher your season ending ERA has to be lower than 4. So while 3 ER's in 6 innings is good, you can't do that every game. You have to have better games. It sounds confusing and it sounds like I'm contradicting myself but the answer isn't black and white.
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JuTMSY4Legend
914 days ago
Score 2+-
No i see your point...3 earned over 6 is a 4.5 ERA...while 4 earned over 7 is over 5...(Era is runs divided by innings pitched times 9 for those of you who need to know the math). and yeah, i agree...a good pitcher is below 4...above 5 is a bad pitcher...very good point... I guess i'd consider a good start be based more on innings and the ERA will follow suit...neither is particuarly good...but innings seems to be more important especially in the age of risky bullpens...
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KelsdadAll-Star
914 days ago
Score 1+-
It's a real stat, and also a dumb one.
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Niteowl049AAA-er
914 days ago
Score 0+-
Jeff Weaver finally had a quality start the other day...bet he doesn't have many of those this season.
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This page was last modified 12:34, 22 June 2007. Content is available under the GFDL.

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