An amazing pitching stat

[HBP]

As of today (5/2), the Reds are the MLB leaders in giving up walks (as in fewest allowed). With having only given up 61, they lead the 2nd place team, Cleveland, by seven. The MLB average is at 90.5 BB per team so far. No doubt this has contributed to the Reds also having a very impressive WHIP so far at 1.24, coming in at 6th overall.

A great start for the staff and Dick Pole
MLB Ranks

 Team 	                 BB  	WHIP  	 
 Cincinnati Reds 	61   	1.24  	 
 Cleveland Indians      68    	1.30

[Screwball]

That's definitely an impressive stat, and gives me reason to believe the Reds staff will be solid throughout the season. I'm a big believer in the value of walks. I hate to see our pitchers give them up, and I enjoy taking a free pass when our hitters take one. Having runners on base can put pressure on the defense by employing a hit-and-run, a straight stolen base, or even something as simple as forcing the pitcher to throw using a slide step.

[AmarilloRed]

I remember in past years when we would lead the league in walks allowed every single year. This is a very good sign for our pitching.

[HBP]

I remember in past years when we would lead the league in walks allowed every single year. This is a very good sign for our pitching.

Actually, since 2002, only 2003 was a horrible year. 2002 and 2004 weren't very good either though.

Year	BB	MLB Rank     ERA	WHIP
2002	550	16	    4.27	1.41
2003	590	26	    5.09	1.50
2004	572	20	    5.19	1.50
2005	492	14	    5.15	1.50
2006	464	4	    4.51	1.41
2007	61	1	    3.73	1.24

[M2]

I'm more impressed by the HR allowed totals. The club currently ranks 5th in MLB. Here's it's rankings over the previous four seasons:

2006 - 28th
2005 - 30th
2004 - 30th
2003 - 28th

[Matt700wlw]

They also have the best starting ERA in the NL - going into play today....at the same time, they're bullpen ERA is the WORST in the NL - going into play today.

[BRM]

Reds starters are 1st in the NL in OPS Against. The bullpen is 12th.

[TeamBoone]

As of today (5/2), the Reds are the MLB leaders in giving up walks.

I totally misread this. I thought you meant that they were second in the bad way (giving up walks) rather than the good way (not giving up walks).

[HBP]

I totally misread this. I thought you meant that they were second in the bad way (giving up walks) rather than the good way (not giving up walks).

Poor use of words on my part

[fisch11]

The saying used to go, "you'll go as far as your starting pitching can take you." Well, in that case we should be 8 games over .500. But the bullpen and inconsistent offense are the only thing slowest this team down. I don't believe the defense will be a problem in the future. Don't walk guys, and don't give up homeruns and you can have a pretty succesful rotation.

[AmarilloRed]

My memory goes back considerably further than 2002 for all you youngsters.

[M2]

My memory goes back considerably further than 2002 for all you youngsters.

I don't see where 1965-69 constitutes a point of comparison for this year's staff. The BB tendencies of those years were cured a long time ago.

[HBP]

Loshe walking Ausmus leading off the inning in the 6th last night made it a 3-1 game instead of a one run game. It's as simple as this:
- B. Ausmus walked
- R. Oswalt sacrificed to first, B. Ausmus to second
- C. Biggio singled to left center, B. Ausmus scored, C. Biggio out at second

Loshe's other two BB's didn't hurt him.


Also, I went back and added the yearly records as well. It's surprising the 2004 team didn't lose more than 86 games. Only Colorado had a worse team ERA.

Year	BB	MLB Rank     ERA	WHIP        W-L
2002	550	16	    4.27	1.41       78-84
2003	590	26	    5.09	1.50       69-93
2004	572	20	    5.19	1.50       76-86
2005	492	14	    5.15	1.50       73-89
2006	464	4	    4.51	1.41       80-82
2007	61	1	    3.73	1.24       13-14