Less than two weeks into the 2007 baseball season, some very good offensive teams are struggling because of a lack of pitching.
The Philadelphia Phillies have one of the best lineups in the National League. Howard, Utley, Rollins, Burell, etc. Yet they are 2-9. Why? Because their pitching has absolutely stunk up the joint during the first two weeks of the season. Freddy Garcia is still on the DL with biceps tendinitis. Brett Myers has been awful in his three starts, sporting an ERA of 9.39 to go with his 0-2 record. Pricey free agent Adam Eaton and middle relief man Ryan Madson -- two guys that the Phillies need to perform -- haven't been much better. They are a combined 1-3 with an ERA over 7.00.
The New York Yankees have one of the best lineups of all time. Jeter, A-Rod, Giambi, Abreu, Matsui, Damon and Posada. Try to get those guys out. Good luck. But the Bombers are just 4-5. Why? Because Chien-Ming Wang, Mike Mussina, and now possibly Carl Pavano, are all on the shelf. Oh, and Kei Igawa is making it very clear that he is no Dice K. Unless and until these moundsmen get healthy and start pitching well, the Yankees will cotinue their mediocrity. As good as they are, the Yankee hitters can't be expected to score 10 runs every game.
In sharp contrast to these pitching-challenged squads are the Braves and Mets. The two National League East teams are tied for the best record in the Majors at 7-3. Each team has been led by great pitching.
Atlanta has gotten great starts from John Smoltz, Tim Hudson, Kyle Davies and Chuck James. Together, the foursome is 4-1 with an ERA of 1.90 and a WHIP just above 1.100. The is 7-3.
The Mets starters are 5-1. Their closer, Billy Wagner, has three saves in three chances and a very Blutarski-like ERA of 0.00. The entire staff's ERA is 2.35, which would be impressive even in the dead ball era. And pitching was supposed to be the Mets' one weakness. Ha!!
Here are some other pitchers who have been really crappy this April.
Barry Zito: The $140 million man is 0-2 with an 8.18 ERA. The Giants are 3-7.
Carlos Zambrano: For a guy who is looking for a big contract, the Z-man is not pitching very well. He is 1-2 with a 7.88 ERA.
David Wells: The Padres 71-year old starter is 0-1 with an ERA of 7.00 (however, Jake Peavy, Greg Maddux and Chris Young have all been brilliant and San Diego is 6-4 as a result).
Jaret Wright: He's 0-2 with an ERA over 6.00, and now he's on the Disabled List with a sore shoulder. Given Wright's history (he's started 15 or fewer games in his 10 year career), O's fans should be very concerned with his performance and his health.
Jake Westbrook: he's 0-1 with a 7.36 ERA, but the Tribe just gave him a 3-year/$33 million deal. Where can I apply? Just kidding. Westbrook is a pretty good pitcher, and he will turn it around. whether he is worth $11 million remains to be seen, however. The guy is just 54-52 with a 4.40 over his six year career.
It's no big secret that good pitching wins games. Always has. Always will. But over the first two weeks of this season, it has been particularly true. Let's see what happens this week.
