As I take in the  2023 MLB post-season – live at an energized Target Field (kind of sad that’s over) and on TV in my man cave – I  have found time to reflect on some past post-season pitching performances (especially since there are no games for a couple of days).

I was transported back to three World Series I was privileged to attend (at least one game);

• 1957 – I was ten-years-old and my home town Milwaukee Braves beat the Yankees four games-to-three behind the right arm of  Lew Burdette, who earned three complete-game victories against the vaunted Yankees. His performance included two shutouts and, at one point, he threw 24 straight scoreless inning against a highly favored New York squad.
• 1965 – My then (and still) hometown Twins lost to the Dodgers four games-to-three, with Sandy Koufax pitching a complete-game,  three-hit shutout in Game Seven (on just two day rest). In that one, the winning pitcher in each game went the distance.
• 1991  – When I was lucky enough to be in the ballpark to witness Jack Morris‘ ten-inning shutout in the winner-take-all Game Seven.

Anyway, those thoughts led me to embark on a post ranking the top single-game, post-season pitching performances.  My old-school bias is probably reflected by the fact that I chose to rank the top five for the World Series, top four for the League Championship Series, top three for the Division Series and top two for the Wild Card Game/Series. I looked at such factors as how dominant the performance was and the strength of the opposition – also giving weight to the final score (a 1-0 win getting the edge over, say, a 6-0 win) and the impact on the series (a winner-take-all final game earning extra credit). I also, admittedly, leaned toward complete-game victories.

As I’ve noted before, when I start research “one thing always seems to lead to another.”  This time, I noticed most (not all) of the truly heroic pitching performances seem to have happened at least a couple of decades ago.  This distracted me briefly into a look at post-season (specifically World Series) pitcher usage.  I saw that:

• In the 1905 World Series, just six pitchers were used and there was only one relief appearance.
• In 1957 (that first World Series I attended), 17 pitchers were used and there were 21 relief appearances.
• In the most recent World Series (2022), 24 pitchers were used and there were 46 relief appearances.

Clearly, the chance for a truly remarkable single-game, post-season pitching performance has waned as pitching changes have risen.

The ratings are coming right up, but to honor my distractions, I’ll present a couple of charts on World Series pitcher usage.

Now on to the ratings.

Baseball Roundtable Top Five World Series Pitching Performances

A “PERFECT” CHOICE FOR NUMBER ONE

 

ONE – WITH A BULLET – Don Larsen, Yankees, Game 5, 1956 World Series … October 8, 1956

A no-brainer here.  How could you not put the only World Series perfect game at the top of this list?

When Don Larsen took the mound to start Game Five of the 1956 World Series for the Yankees (against the rival Brooklyn Dodgers at Yankee stadium) expectations may not have been very high.  Larsen (11-5, 3.26 on the season) was coming off a Game Two start (in Brooklyn, three days earlier) when he lasted just 1 2/3 innings and gave up four runs (none earned) on one hit and four walks.

Larsen, however, was in complete control in Game Five – fanning seven in a 97-pitch, perfect game – a 2-0 Yankee win. In the game, Larsen went to a three-ball count on only one batter, started 14 hitters off 0-1 and – if you count the four batters who hit the first pitch for an out –  threw a first-pitch strike to 18 of 27 hitters.  The lineup Larsen held hitless, by the way, included five  Hall of Famers: SS Pee Wee Reese; CF Duke Snider; 2B Jackie Robinson; 1B Gil Hodges; and C Roy Campanella.

Bookends

Don Larsen opened his World Series Perfect Game with a five-pitch strikeout (looking) of Dodgers’ 2B Jim Gilliam and closed it out with a five-pitch strike out (looking) of pinch-hitter Dale Mitchell.

Larsen seems an unlikely hurler to head this list. His career record (1953-65, 1967 … Browns, Orioles, Yankees, Athletics, Giants, Astros, Cubs) was 81-91, 3.78. He had just six MLB seasons – out of 14 – in which he won more games than he lost.  Four of those came during his five seasons as a Yankee, when he went 45-24, 3.50.  Larsen was 4-2, 2.75 in ten World Series appearances.

Don Larsen was a good-hitting pitcher. In 596 career regular-season at bats, he hit .242-15-72.  

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TWO – Bob Gibson, Cardinals … Game One, 1968 World Series … October 2, 1961

1968 was the Year of the Pitcher and, in the National League, Bob Gibson was the Pitcher of the Year.  Gibson went 22-9 that season, with a microscopic, MLB-best 1.12 earned run average. In addition, 13 of his wins were complete-game shutouts (another 1968 MLB-best).  He also led the NL in strikeouts with 268 in 304 2/3 innings pitched.  Gibson’s 1968 earned run average of 1.12 was the third-lowest, post-1900, qualifying MLB ERA – and his 13 complete-game shutouts are the second-most in a single season since 1900.

It’s no surprise that the Redbirds selected Gibson to start Game One (against the Tigers’ 31-game winner Denny McLain) – and Gibson did not disappoint. He threw a five-hit shutout, walking just one and fanning a World Series-record 17 batters. Gibson fanned everyone in the Tigers’ starting lineup at least once, struck out at least one batter in every inning and fanned three batters in two frames. Only two runners got past first base over the nine frames. Gibson finished  the game with a flourish, fanning the Tigers’ 3-4-5 hitters (Al Kaline, Norm Cash and Willie Horton) in order in the ninth inning. Despite Gibson’s heroics, the Cardinals lost the Series four games-to-three behind three complete-game wins from Mickey Lolich. Gibson also started and completed three games, going 2-1, 1.67. He took the loss in Game Seven giving up four runs on eight hits and one walk, while Lolich gave up just one tally on five hits and three walks.

They Call Him the Streak

Over June, July and August of 1968, Bob Gibson started 18 games, completed 17, won 16 (one loss/one no-decision), threw 11 shutouts, and put up a 0.77 ERA.

Hall of Famer Gibson pitched in 17 MLB seasons (all for the Cardinals). He won two Cy Young awards and, in 1968, won both the NL Cy Young and MVP Awards. Gibson was a five-time 20-game winner, leading the NL in wins once, ERA once, complete games once, strikeouts once and shutouts four times. His career mound record was 251-174, 2.91, with 3,117 strikeouts in 3,884 1/3 innings. He also won nine Gold Gloves and hit .206 with 24 career homers.  In nine World Series starts, Gibson won seven and lost two, pitching eight complete games, posting a 1.89 earned run average and fanning 92 batters in 81 innings.

THREE – Christy Mathewson, Giants … Game 5, 1905 World Series … October 14, 1905

Christy Mathewson threw a nifty six-hit shutout (no walks, four strikeouts) in beating the Philadelphia Athletics 2-0 in Game Five of the 1905 World Series – giving the Giants the Series four games-to-one.  It was not just future Hall of Famer Mathewson’s excellence in this game that earned him spot number-two on this ranking  or even the fact that it was the clinching game (although that did factor in to my selection). It’s that this was Mathewson’s’ third-consecutive, complete-game shutout in the 1905 series – and he threw those three whitewashings over a period of just six days.  On October 9, Mathewson shutout the Athletics 3-0, giving up just four hits.  Then, on October 12, he threw another four-hitter, this time shutting down the Athletics 9-0. Then in Game Seven, it was the five-hit. 2-0 win.  For the Series, Mathewson gave up just 13 hits (and, of course no runs) and one walk in 27 innings, fanning 18.

Trivia Tidbits from the 1905 World Series

• The Giants’ four wins all came via the shutout – three by Christy Mathewson and one by Joe McGinnity.
• The Athletics’ only win also came via the shutout – a four-hitter tossed by Chief Bender in a 3-0, Game Two victory. 
• The Giants gave up just three runs in the Series – all unearned, giving them an unbeatable single-World Series’ record 0.00 earned run average.
• The Giants used only three pitchers in the entire series – Christy Mathewson (27 innings pitched); Joe McGinnity (17 innings pitched); and Red Ames one inning pitched. Yep, and entire World Series and only one “call to the pen.”

Mathewson was coming off a 31-9, 1.28 1905 season in which he led MLB in wins, ERA and shutouts (tied with eight), and led the NL in strikeouts (206). In his career, he led his league in ERA five times, strikeouts five times, wins four times and shutouts four times. He finished with a 373-188, 2.13 record.

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FOUR – Jack Morris, Game Seven, 1991 World Series … October 27, 1991

There have only been three extra-inning World Series complete-game shutouts, ten Game Seven complete-game shutouts and 18 World Series complete-game wins ending in a 1-0 score.  And, there has been only one game that met all three criteria – Jack Morris’ performance in the finale of the 1991 World Series – a ten-inning, seven-hit, two-walk, eight-whiff gem that gave the Twins a 1-0 Game Seven win over the Atlanta Braves.

In the game, Morris reached ball three on only six of the 38 batters he faced.  This performance earned extra credit for Morris, since it came at a time when complete games were at a premium.  As was widely reported, Twins’ Manager Tom Kelly was ready to pull Morris after nine innings and 118 pitches – but Morris was having none of it (and voiced his objection in no uncertain terms).   And, the rest, as they say, is history.

Hall of Farmer Morris pitched in 18 MLB seasons, going 254-186, 3.90. He was a five-time All Star and led his league in wins twice (winning twenty or more games in three seasons) and in complete games, shutouts and strikeouts once each. (He also led the league in wild pitches six times.) Morris was 4-2, 2.96 in seven World Series starts and was MVP of the 1991 World Series.

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FIVE – Babe Ruth, Red Sox … Game 2 …. October 9, 1916

Hard to pass on a chance to include Babe Ruth.  On October 9, 1916, as his Red Sox faced the Brooklyn Robins (Dodgers), Ruth twirled a gem – notching the longest outing in a World Series game.

Ruth pitched  a 14-inning, complete-game, six-hitter as the Red Sox prevailed 2-1. The only run off Ruth came  in the first inning (an inside-the-park home run by Robins’ CF and number-three hitter Hi Myers). Ruth tossed 145 pitches that day, 91 for strikes.  From the ninth through the 14th innings, Ruth allowed only two base runners (no hits, one  walk, one safe on an error.)  During the 1916 season, Ruth had gone 23-12, leading the Al with a 1.75 earned run average and nine shutouts.  His final career pitching line was 94-46, 2.28.  From 1916 through 1918 (Red Sox), Ruth was 60-32, 1.95 on the mound, with 76 complete games (97 starts) and 16 shutouts. In World Series play, he was 3-0, 0.87 in three starts – giving up just two runs in 31 innings.

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H0norble Mentions:

Moe Drabowsky, Orioles, 1966 … In 1966, Moe Drabowsky was a key member of the Orioles’ bullpen. He appeared in 45 games (just one start)  and went 6-0, 2.81, with six saves.  In his relief appearances, he never went more than 4 2/3 innings and averaged two innings per outing. In Game One of the 1966 World Series (October 5 – Orioles versus Dodgers), Drabowsky was called on to relieve starter Dave McNally with one out and the bases l0aded in the bottom of the third. (The Orioles were up 4-1 at the time.) Drabowsky got out of the jam allowing just one run and then went on to finish the game – going  6 2/3 innings, giving up just one hit and two walks and fanning 11.  In the process, he set the World Series’ single-game record for strikeouts by a relief pitcher.   (The Orioles, by the way, went on to sweep the Series four games-to-zero.)

Ed Walsh, White Sox, 1906 … Lots of reason to like this one; particularly (for The Roundtable) the fact that it was part of the White Sox/Cubs crosstown rivalry. In Game Three of the 1906 World Series, Ed Walsh started for the visiting White Sox. He tossed a nifty two-hit shutout, walking one and fanning 12, as the White Sox prevailed 3-0.   Baseball Roundtable sees a reason for extra credit, since since Walsh notched those 12 whiffs and fanned at least one batter in every inning at a time when the MLB regular-season average for strikeouts per nine inning was just 3.8.  Only two Cubs got past first base in the game, Walsh did not give up a hit after the first inning and, at one point, he retired 13 straight Cubs. It was very tough to keep this one out of the top five.

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Baseball Roundtable’s Top Four League Championship Series Pitching Performances

ONE – Dave McNally, Orioles …. ALCS, October 5, 1969

Dave McNally started for the Orioles (versus the Twins) in Game Two of the 1969 AL Championship Series. He was masterful – and he had to be. McNally was facing a tough Twins  lineup that featured future Hall of Famers Rod Carew (2B), Tony Oliva (RF) and Harmon Killebrew (3B). McNally was up to the task, tossing an 11-inning, complete-game, three-hit, shutout (five walks and 11 strikeouts) to  earn a tight 1-0 win.

McNally allowed only two runners to get beyond first base during the game. His mound opponent, Dave Boswell took a seven-hit shutout into the bottom of the eleventh  frame. In that final inning, he gave up a walk to 1B Boog Powell, who was sacrificed to second by 3B Brooks Robinson. Then, 2B Davey Johnson was intentionally walked, putting runners on first and second with one out. Boswell got SS Mark Belanger on a foul pop up and then was lifted – with the Twins bringing in closer Ron Perranoski to face pinch hitter Curt Motton.  Motton singled home Powell to end one of the League Championship Series’ tightest-ever pitching duels.

Dave McNally’s 11-inning shutout in Game Two of the 1969 ALCS is MLB’s longest post-season, complete-game shutout.

McNally pitched in 14 MLB seasons (1962-75 … all but his final season for the Orioles). He went 184-119, 3.24, was a four-time All Star and three-time 20-game winner (a career-high and league-leading 24 wins in 1970). In 14 post-season appearances (12 starts), he was 7-4, 2.49 with six complete games.

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TWO … Roger Clemens, Yankees … ALCS , October 14, 2000

Roger Clemens took the mound against the Mariners (In Seattle)  in Game Four of the 2000 ALCS and went right to work – striking out the first two batters he faced (RF Stan Javier and LF Al Martin). It set the tone for the day, as Clemens went the distance in a 5-0 win, giving up just one hit (a seventh inning double to Martin) and two walks, while fanning 15 batters (11 swinging/four looking).  Clemens, who fanned at least one hitter every inning, seemed to get stronger as the game went on – fanning nine over the final four innings. Overall, he threw 138 pitches, 87 strikes. Clemens retired the Mariners in order in seven of the nine innings and, at one point, retired 16 straight.

Roger Clemens’ October 14, 2000 ALCS shutout was his only complete game in 34 post-season starts.

Clemens pitched 24 MLB seasons (1984-2007 … Red Sox, Blue Jays, Yankees, Astros).  He went 354-184, 3.12, with 4,672 strikeouts in 4,196 2/3 innings. He was a 11-time All Star, seven-time Cy Young Award winner and led his league in wins four times; ERA seven times; CG three times; IP twice; and strikeouts five times. He was 12-8, 3.75 in 35 post season appearances (34 starts).

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THREE – Livan Hernandez, Marlins … NLCS, October 12, 1997

In Game Five of the 1997 NLCS,  with the series tied two-games apiece, Marlins’ 22-year-old rookie righty Livan Hernandez (who had gone 9-3, 3.18 in seven starts during the season) was matched up against future Hall of Famer Greg Maddux.  Hernandez came away with a sparkling  2-1 win in front of the home crowd. Hernandez pitched a complete game three-hitter, walking two and fanning 15 ( tied for third-highest total ever in a post-season game and tied for  the highest in a League Championship Series contest). The only run off Hernandez came on a second inning homer by Braves’ RF Michael Tucker.

It didn’t start well for Hernandez. Braves’ CF Kenny Lofton hit his second pitch of the game for a triple to lead off the top of the first and Hernandez then walked 2B Keith Lockhart on five pitches. Sixteen pitches later, he had fanned Braves 3-4-5 hitters  – 3B Chipper Jones, 1B Fred McGriff, LF Ryan Klesko – and escaped unscathed.  Over the course of the game, Hernandez fanned at least one batter every inning and two batters in the sixth, seventh, eighth and ninth. Overall, he threw 148 pitches (88 strikes).  After the second inning, no Brave reached second base and Hernandez retired 21 of 23 batters,  (The Marlins, by the  way, went on to win the NLCS four games-to-two.)

Hernandez played in 17 MLB seasons (1998-2012 … Marlins, Giants, Expos, Nationals, Diamondbacks, Twins, Rockies, Mets, Braves, Brewers). He went 178-177, 4.44 in 519 games (474 starts). He was a two-time All Star. He was 7-3, 3.97 in 12 post-season appearances (10 starts).

MVP! MVP!

In 1997, Livan Hernandez – who finished second in the NL Rookie of the Year balloting – was the MVP of the National League Championship Series and MVP of the World Series. His World Series MVP selection has  produced some debate (debate is such a great part of baseball). Hernandez was 2-0 in the Series, but had a 5.27 earned run average and walked ten batters in 13 2/3 innings.  (Side note:  There were 81 runs scored in the seven games).   Some argued the Marlins’ Moises Alou should have been MVP after hitting .321, with three homers, nine RBI and six runs scored in the high-scoring Series.

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FOUR –  Mike Scott, Astros … October 8, 1986

Game One of the 1986 NLCS featured  Dwight Gooden of the Mets (17-6, 2.84 in the regular season) versus the Astros’ Mike Scott (18-10, 2.22) in a matchup of aces. The game lived up to its billing, as Scott and the Astros prevailed 1-0.  Scott pitched a gem, giving up five hits, walking just one and fanning 14 in his nine-inning shutout. He fanned the Mets 3-4-5 hitters (1B Keith Hernandez, C Gary Carter and RF Darryl Strawberry) eight times in 12 plate appearances.  Overall, Scott threw 125 itches (88 strikes). Gooden also pitched well.  The only run he allowed was on a home run by Astros’ 1B Glenn Davis leading off the second inning. Scott went to a three-ball count on only three batters and allowed just three runners to reach second base.

Scott was the MVP in the 1986 NLCS.  He went 2-0, 0.50 in two starts, pitching two complete games and giving up just one run on eight hits in 18 innings. In those 18 frames, he walked just one and fanned 19.

In 1986, Mike Scott led the NL in strikeouts with 306 (in 275 1/3 innings).

Mike Scott pitched in 13 MLB seasons (1979-91 … Mets, Astros), going 124-108, 3.54. He was a three-time All-Star and led the NL in wins with 20 (10 losses) in 1989.

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Honorable Mentions:

• Josh Beckett, Marlins, 2003 Game 5 … Two-hit shutout, with no walks and 11 whiffs as  Beckett’s Marlins topped the Cub 4-0.
• Randy Johnson, Diamondbacks, 2001, Game 1 … Three-hit shutout with no walks and 11 whiffs as Arizona topped Atlanta 2-1
• Mike Boddicker, Orioles, 1983, Game 2 … fFve hit, three-walk, 14-strikeout game in a 4-0 win over the White Sox .

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Baseball Roundtable’s Top  Three Division Series Pitching Performances

ONE –  Roy Halladay, Phillies … NLDS, October 6, 2010

In Game One of the 2010 NL Division Series (Reds at Phillies), Philadelphia’s Roy Halladay missed a  perfect game by one pitch – a seventh inning walk (on a 3-2 pitch) to Reds’ RF Jay Bruce.  Halladay fanned eight and only four balls were hit out of the infield.  In the 4-0, Phillies’ win, Halladay also had an RBI single (and later came around to score) in the bottom of the second.  It was more offense than he would need in the 4-0 win.

Let’s Get This Party Started

Roy Halladay’s no-hitter came in his first-ever post-season appearance.

In his no-hitter, Halladay threw 104 pitches (79 strikes) and went to a three-ball count on only three batters.

Hall of Famer Halladay pitched in 16 MLB seasons (1998-13 … Blue Jays, Phillies), going 203-105, 3.38. He was an eight-time All Star a two-time Cy Young Award winner and led his league in wins twice, complete games seven times and innings pitched four times.

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TWO … Kevin Brown, Padres … September 29, 1998

In Game One of the 1998 NL Division Series, Padres’ righty Kevin Brown set the tone for a series in which Padres’ pitchers would give up only eight runs in four games (five of those in Game Two). Playing in Houston, Brown threw eight scoreless frames against the Astros – giving up just two hits and two walks, while fanning 16 batters.

Number Two Ain’t Bad

Kevin Brown’s 16 strikeouts in Game One of the 1998 NLDS is the second-highest total ever in an MLB post-season contest.  He fanned at least one batter in each of his eight innings, two batters in four and three batters in two.

Brown’s stuff that day was not only unhittable, it was (apparently) at times uncatchable. In the third inning, he opened by fanning SS Ricky Gutierrez on a 3-2 pitch, before giving up an infield single to C Brad Ausmus. Next up was opposing hurler Randy Johnson.  Johnson’s at bat included not only a strikeout (looking on a 2-2 pitch), but a pair of passed balls that sent Ausmus to third. Brown topped off the inning, stranding Ausmus at third, by fanning 2B Craig Biggio on three pitches.

With the Padres up 2-0 in the top of the ninth, Brown was lifted for pinch hitter John Vander Wal (who struck out looking). Trevor Hoffman came in for the ninth inning save and gave up one run on two hits. In his outing, Brown threw 119 pitches (77 strikes).

Brown pitched in 19 MLB seasons (1986, 1988-2005 … Rangers, Orioles, Marlins, Padres, Dodgers). He was an All Star in six seasons and for four different teams (Rangers, Marlins, Padres, Dodgers). He led the AL with 21 wins in 1992 and led his league in earned run average in 1996 (Marlins – 1.89) and 2000 (Dodgers 2.58). He won 15 or more games in six seasons.

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THREE – Tim Lincecum, Giants,… October 7, 2010

Tim Lincecum started Game One of the 2010 NL Division Series for the Giants (at home) against Derek Lowe and the Braves and he set the tone for a three games-to-one Giants’ Series victory. He pitched a two-hitter, walking one and fanning 14, while besting five Braves’ hurlers in a 1-0 pitching duel.  All this after giving up a booming double to CF  the first batter he faced (Braves’ SS Omar Infante). He settled down quickly  and – after retiring RF Jayson Heyward on a flyball to left – struck out 1B Derrek Lee and C Brian McCann to get out of the inning. He then struck out the side in order on 14 pitches in the second frame. Lincecum put an exclamation point on his outing, fanning  Heyward and Lee for the final two outs of the contest.

Lincecum pitched in ten MLB seasons, nine for the Giants before finishing with the Angels. He was a four-time All Star  and two-time Cy Young Award winner (2008-09). He finished with a 110-89, 3.74 career record.  From 2008 through 2010, he was 49-22, 2.83 and average 252 strikeouts per season. He was 5-2, 2.40 in 13 post-season appearances (six starts).

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Honorable Mention:

Gerrit Cole, Astros, 2019 Game 2 …  In Game Two of the 2019 AL Division Series, Gerrit Cole of the Astros  was matched up against Blake Snell of the Rays (in Houston).  Cole was dealing that day, He went  7 2/3 innings, giving up just four hits and one walk (no runs), while fanning 15. In the second inning of that contest, Cole fanned  the side on just ten pitches. He also had a three-strikeout inning in the fifth – this time on 12 pitches (there was a single thrown in).  Cole’s strikeouts went like this:

First inning – two;

Second Inning – three;

Third Inning – one;

Fourth Inning – one;

Fifth Inning – three;

Sixth inning – zero;

Seventh inning – two;

Eighth inning – two.

Cole, still active, has pitched in 11 MLB seasons (2013-23 … Pirates, Astros, Yankees). He is a six-time All Star and led the AL in wins once, earned run average twice and strikeouts twice (a high of 326 in 2019). He is 10-6. 2.93. with 134 strikeouts in 104 1/3 post-season innings (17 starts).

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Baseball Roundtable’s Top Two  Wild Card Game/Series Pitching Performances

 

ONE – Clayton Kershaw, Dodgers … October 1, 2020

In Game Two of the 2020 Wild Card Series, the Dodgers’ Clayton Kershaw shutdown the Brewers in a 3-0 win in Los Angeles.  Kershaw went eight innings, and gave up just three hits and one walk, while fanning 13.  In his eight innings, only two Brewers reached second base.  In the top of the sixth, Kershaw fanned  the Brewers 1-2-3 hitters (CF Avisail  Garcia, LF Christian Yelich, 1B Jedd Gyorko) on 12 pitches. Dodgers closer Brusdar Graterol came on to pitch a scoreless ninth for the save.

Kershaw, still active, has pitched in 16 MLB seasons (2008-2023), all for the Dodgers.  He is a ten-time All Star, three-time Cy Young Award winner.  He has led the NL in wins three times, ERA five times, complete games twice, shutouts three times and strikeouts three times.

In 2014, Clayton Kershaw went 21-3, 1.77 and won both the NL Cy Yong and Most Valuable Player Awards.

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TWO – Madison Bumgarner. Giants … October 1, 2014

In this 2014 Wild Card Game, Madison Bumgarner of the Giants tossed a complete-game shutout – giving up just four hits and one walk, while fanning ten. His Giants topped the Pirates 8-0 in Pittsburgh. He threw 109 pitches (79 strikes). Only three Pirates got past first base (one of those with the help of two Giants’ errors).

Bumgarner (active in 2023) has pitched in 15 MLB seasons (2009-2023).  The four-time All Star has a career 134-124, 3.47 record and has won 15 or more games in four seasons (all before 2017). He has been a post-season star, gaining 8-2, 2.11 in 16 appearances (14 starts) – and, even more impressive – 4-0, 0.25 in five World Series appearances (four starts).

Madison Bumgarner was the MVP of the 2014 NLCS and the 2014 World Series.

 

 

Primary Resources:  Baseball-Reference.com; “The World Series,,” Richard Cohen, David Neft, Roland Johnson, Jordan Deutsch,  Dial Press, New York (1976)

 

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It’s October 1, and that means it’s time for the Baseball Roundtable monthly Wrap Up for September – a look at the stories and statistics that caught The Roundtable’s attention over the past month, as well as the standings, Roundtable Players and Pitchers of the Month, the Trot Index and more. Keep in mind, the stats presented are for September only and do not include games of October 1.

As usual, there a few things unusual over the past thirty days:

• The first rookie with a 25-50 season and the first-ever 40-70 campaign (HR/SB);
• A 200th career win and a 400th career home run;
• New records set for home runs and RBI out of the leadoff spot;
• A rookie getting on base via hit or walk in each of his first 29 games (streak still active);
• A team holding their opponents hitless for 10+ innings and still losing the contest;
• A player (an infielder no less) connecting for a home run in four consecutive innings ; and
• More.

Read on for these highlights – and the more. As usual, we’ll start with Baseball Roundtable’s Players and Pitchers of the Month.

BASEBALL ROUNDTABLE PLAYERS AND PITCHERS OF THE MONTH

September 2023

NATIONAL LEAGUE

Player of the Month … Xander Bogaerts, SS, Padres

Padres’ SS Xander Bogaerts delivered that “shiny thing” that gets Baseball Roundtable’s attention – a .400+ average. Bogaerts hit .416 in September, leading all MLBers with at least 50 at bats.  His 42 base hits also led MLB and he delivered ten doubles (also leading MLB), two triples, four home runs, 13 RBI and 25 runs scored (third in MLB). In addition, he swiped six bases in six attempts. Bogaerts collected hits in all but three of his 24 September games and had 12 multi-hit games. From September 15-20, he had six consecutive multi-hit games, going 14-for-27 (.519).  Bogaerts finished September with a .285-19-58 line on the season (19 steals). (Side note: Marlins’ SS Jon Berti hit .417 in September, but his 48 at bats fell just short of The Roundtable’s 50 at bat cutoff.)

Honorable Mentions:  Lot of deserving players here. Another Padre, LF Juan Soto hit .340 and led MLB with 29 September RBI (26 games). His ten home runs were third in MLB and his 26 runs scored were second. In addition, he swiped six bags. He gets extra credit for walking more times (18) than he fanned (15). Soto had five three-hit games in September.

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Juan Soto had a 36-plate appearance streak – from September 13 to his fifth at bat September 23 – when he did not strikeout.

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The Braves’ Ronald Acuna Jr. averaged .343 for the month, scored 29 runs (leading MLB) and delivered 23 RBI.  His 11 September homers tied teammate Matt Olson for the MLB high. He also stole 11 bags in 14 tries.   A shout out also goes to to Reds’ CF TJ Freidl, who had a .333-7-18 month, and had three September triples as well.

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Pitcher of the Month: Blake Snell, LHP, Padres

An easy choice. Blake Snell was masterful in September, putting up an MLB-best (among pitchers with at least 20 innings pitched during the month) 0.58 earned run average in 31 innings (and topping the NL in strikeouts with 41). That earned him a 3-0 record in five starts. Snell gave up just 13 hits in his 31 innings (a .123 opponents’ batting average), although he did walk 14.  He gave up a run (two actually) in just one of his five September starts. Snell closed out September at 14-9, 2.25 on the season.

Honorable Mentions:  Braves’ southpaw Max Fried went 3-0, 1.88 in four starts, fanning 27 batters in 24 innings; Marlins’ lefty closer Tanner Scott went 3-1, 1,65, with nine saves in 13 appearances and struck out 20 batters, with just one walk, over 16 1/3 innings.

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AMERICAN LEAGUE

Player of the Month – Tie: Jose Altuve, 2B, Astros & Marcus Semien, 2B, Rangers

Jose Altuve’s 32 September hits were just one off the American League lead – as  he put up a .308-7-17 stat line, with 18 runs scored, in 25 September games. Altuve had ten multi-hit games in September. As September came to a close, Altuve was .312-17-51, with 14 steals in 89 games this season.

On September 5, Altuve went three-for-five, with three home runs (out of the leadoff spot), as his Astros topped Texas 14-1.

Rangers’ 2B Marcus Semien was an offensive force with  .292 average with a league-topping (tied) nine homers, 19 RBI and an AL-highest (tied) September 23 runs scored. Semien had a pair of two-homer games in September. He finished September at .278-29-100, with 14 steals on the season.

Honorable Mention:  Twins’ rookie infielder Royce Lewis went .313-6-23 in an injury-shortened month.

 

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Pitcher of the Month – Tarik Skubal, LHP, Tigers

Tarik Skubal went 4-0, 0.90 in five September starts (and, remember, he was pitching for the Tigers). His ERA was second only to Blake Snell among pitchers with at least 20 September innings. He also fanned 43 batters (second only to the Rays’ Tyler Glasnow‘s 48) and walked just four in 30 innings. His 0.60 WHIP was the lowest among pitchers with at least 20 September innings, and he held hitter to a .135 average. In his lone September no-decision, Skubal went four innings, giving up just two hits (no runs), while walking none and fanning eight.  He finished September at 7-3, 2.80 (with 15 starts this season).

Honorable Mentions:  Yankees’ RHP Gerrit Cole went 3-0, 1.03 in five September starts , including a two-hit, complete-game shutout (versus the Blue Jays) in his last start.

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Surprise Player of the Month – Reese Olson, RHP, Tigers

A 24-year-old righty, Reese Olson made his MLB debut on June 2 – called up from Triple-A Toledo (where he was 2-3, 6.38 in ten starts). The 13^th Round draft pick (out of North Hall High School in Gainesville, GA,) came into September with a 2-6, 5.10 record, but he turned on the after burners in the season’s final full month – going 3-1, 1.44 in five starts, including a six-inning one-run outing versus the powerful Dodgers.  In September, Olson putting up a 0.77 WHIP and held hitters to a .147 average.

 

 

 

 

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THE TROT INDEX … A REGULAR BASEBALL ROUNDTABLE FEATURE

Through September,  35.7 percent of the MLB season’s 182,977 plate appearances ended in a trot (back to the dugout, around the bases, to first base). We’re talking about strikeouts, home runs, walks, hit by pitch and catcher’s interference – all outcomes that are, basically, devoid of action on the base paths or in the field. Here’s the breakout: strikeouts (22.7%); walks (8.6%); home runs (3.2%); HBP (1.1%); catcher’s interference (less than 1%). Strikeouts, by the way, outnumbered base hits 41,560 – 40,618.

The 35.7 percent figure is up from 2022’s full season 34.6 percent.  Other recent seasons: 2021 – 36.3 percent; 2020 –  37.3 percent;  2019 – 36.2 percent; and 2018 – 34.8 percent.  By further comparison, in 1990, the Trot Index was 26.1 percent.  

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Observations:  There were only a handful  surprises in September.

First, the AL Central – that nobody seemed to want to win – suddenly came alive.  The Twins took charge with an 18-9 month and seemed to be hitting on all four-, six- or eight-cylinders (depending on what kind of car you have).  Offensively, they led MLB in runs scored for the month; were third in home runs (second in the AL); first in MLB in on-base percentage and walks drawn; third in total bases (first in the AL). On the mound, they were third in the AL in earned run average (seventh in MLB); second overall (and in the AL) in strikeouts; and gave up the fewest walks in the AL (second in MLB). They had MLB’s (and the AL’s) second-best September strikeouts-to-walks ratio and strikeouts per nine innings.  Key contributors were: 3B Royce Lewis (.313-6-23 in just 18 games); RF Max Kepler (.287-3-16); OF/3B Willi Castro (.312, with 18 runs scored) – and the list goes on.  In fact, seven Twins had 10+ September RBI and nine scored 10+ runs. On the hill, nine Twins’ pitchers put up ERA’s under 3.00 and seven held hitters to an under .200 average.  Don’t count them out in October.

The Tigers surprised a lot of people with their 17-10 month – led by some sterling young pitching: Tarik Skubal  (4-0, 0.90 in five starts) and Reese Olson (3-1, 1.44 in five starts) – and an offense driven in part by  24-year-old  1B Spencer Torkelson (.255-7-25 in September) and 40-year-old DH Miguel Cabrera (.324-1-10 during the month).  The Bengals also got a .297-5-11 month from C Jake Rogers and twenty runs scored from RF Matt Vierling.

The AL West was a surprise in that only the Rangers were above .500 for the month (15-13) – moving past the Mariners and Astros in a tight race.  The Orioles, notching their 100th win are no longer a surprise.

Over in the NL, the Padres had a solid 19-7 September, but their move was too late . Meanwhile the Braves, Brewers and Dodgers played well enough to hold off the competiti0n.

–——Team  Statistical Leaders for September  2023 ———-

RUNS SCORED

National League –  Braves (160); Cubs (151); Dodgers (147); Padres (146)

American League – Twins (173); Orioles (143); Rangers (143)

The fewest runs in September were scored by the White Sox (82). In the National League, it was the Giants at 92.  Also under 100 runs were the Angels (94) and  A’s (99).

AVERAGE

National League – Braves (.275); Marlins (.271); Padres (.269)

American League – Astros (.265); Royals (.263); Guardians (.261)

The lowest team average for September belonged to the Angels at .220. The lowest in the NL was the Cardinals (.221). 

HOME RUNS

National League – Braves (52); Phillies (46); Reds (43)

American League –  Rangers (49); Twins (46); Astros (43)

The Guardians had the fewest home runs in September at 20.  The Diamondbacks were at the bottom of the NL at 21.

The Braves led MLB in slugging percentage for at .502.  The Astros led the AL at .475. 

STOLEN BASES

National League – Phillies (39); Reds (32); Padres (32)

American League – Guardians (38); Royals (31); A’s (25)

The White Sox stole the fewest sacks in Septembers  – six  in eleven  attempts.   The Giants were at the bottom of the NL, with 10  in 13  attempts. 

WALKS DRAWN

National League –   Cardinals (113); Brewers (109); Phillies (107)

American League  Twins (125); Rangers (124); Blue Jays (109)

The Twins  led MLB in on-base percentage for September at .355. The Reds led the NL  at .349.  The White Sox  had MLB’s lowest  OBP for September at .269.  The Nationals were at the bottom of the NL at .294. Six of the bottom seven in OBP were from the American League: White Sox; Angels; A’s; Red Sox; Mariners; Yankees.

BATTER’S STRIKEOUTS

National League – Phillies (281); Rockies (264); Pirates (264)

American League – Mariners (274); Yankees (273); Red Sox (272)

Astros’ batters fanned the fewest times in September (181). The Nationals fanned the fewest times in the NL at 195. While the Phillies led MLB in September whiffs, the next five teams were from the AL: Mariners; Yankees; Red Sox; A’s; Angels. 

 Bonus Stats:

• Braves’ batters racked up the most total bases in July at 499.  The White Sox were at the bottom of MLB at 310. 
• The Marlins were successful on all 20 of their September steal attempts. The only team with a 100% success rate.

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EARNED RUN AVERAGE

National League – Brewers (2.77); Padres (3.36); Mets (.347)

American League –  Tigers (3.00); Orioles (3.30); Twins (3.64)

The Rockies had the highest September ERA at 6.52.  Nine  teams were at 5.00+ including the Rockies and the Nationals (5.51); Reds (5.49); Braves (5.45); Rangers (5.31); Cardinals (5.23); Pirates (5.14); White Sox (5.08); Royals (5.00).

STRIKEOUTS

National League – Braves (266); Phillies (264); Dodgers (260)

American League –  Rays (304); Twins (279); Blue Jays (267)

The Rays averaged an MLB-best 11.15 strikeouts per nine innings in September. The Braves averaged an NL-best 9.54.  Fourteen teams averaged nine whiffs per nine or better. 

FEWEST WALKS SURRENDERED

National League  – Giants (56); Dodgers (71); Diamondbacks (82)

American League – Rays (66); Twins (66); Orioles (67)

The Giants walked an MLB-lowest 2.16 batters per nine innings in September.  The A’s walked an MLB-worst 4.73 batters per nine frames.

SAVES

National League – Pirates (10); Braves (10); Marlins (10)

American League – Yankees (11); Guardians (8); Tigers (8); Royals (8); Rays (8)

The Cubs blew the most saves in August  – recoding just six saves in 16 opportunities.

Bonus Stats:

• The Braves gave up an MLB-high 47 home runs in September. (Interestingly, the Braves gave up an MLB-low 25 in August).   The Mets gave up an MLB-low 42 home runs in September.
• The Brewers held opponents to an MLB-low .202 average in September – after holding opponents to an MLB-low .206 average in August. The Rockies’ staff was touched for an MLB-high .306 average in September.
• The Rays strikeouts-to-walks ratio for September topped MLB at 4.61. The A’s had MLB’s worse ratio at 1.65.

–—-SEPTEMBER 2023 HIGHLIGHTS —–

 

A First (homer) on the First (swing) of the First (at bat) . which happened to be on the  on the First (of the month)

Twenty-year-old switch-hitting Jasson Dominguez made his MLB debut on September 1, playing CF and batting fifth for the Yankees (playing in Houston). His first MLB at bat came against none other than three-time Cy Young Award winner Justin Verlander.  After letting a  first pitch curve go by for a strike, he took is first MLB swing at Verlander’s next offering – a 94 mph fastball – and smacked his first MLB home run.

Dominguez, by the way, was heralded as a five-tool player  ranked as the Yankees’ second-best prospect.  In his first eight games with the Yankees he hit .258, with four home runs and seven RBI. However, a scan on September 10 revealed an arm injury that required Tommy John surgery and he is now out for nine-to-ten months.

It Took Two Days, but it Was Worth It

This highlight started in the ninth inning of the Astros’ September fifth 13-6 win over the Rangers in Texas.  Astros’ 2B Jose Altuve, who had already gone deep in the sixth inning, finished off the Astros’ scoring with a solo home run off Martin Perez in the top of the ninth.

Fast forward to the very next day – Astros at Rangers again. Altuve led off the first inning with a home run off Nathan Eovaldi. He homered again the second inning (a solo shot with one out) off Eovaldi. Then, he added a homer in the third inning, this time a two-run shot off Dane Dunning.  According to the Elias Sports Bureau, that made Altuve the first player in the “Expansion Era” (since 1961) to homer in four consecutive innings.  More “InBaseballWeCountEverything.”  Altuve also tied the MLB record with five homers in a two-game span.

A Nice Round Number

On September 5, as the Yankees topped the Tigers 5-1, in New York, Yankee DH Giancarlo Stanton broke up 1-1 tie with a two-run homer in the bottom of the sixth.  It was the 22nd long ball of the season for Stanton and the 400^th of his  14-season MLB career. Stanton is a five-time All Star, the 2017 National League MVP (Marlins).  He has hit 30+ homers in seven seasons (a high of 59 in 2017), led the league in homers twice and drove in 100 or more runs in three campaigns.

Let’s Get This Party Started

Angels 1b/1B Nolan Schanuel was the 11^th overall pick in the 2023 MLB Draft (after putting up a .386-46-176 stat line in three college seasons at Florida Atlantic). Forty days and 22 minor-league games later, he was in the big leagues – and he’s not slowing down a bit.  He made his debut August 18 and quickly ran off a ten-game hitting streak to start his MLB career. His first hitless game came on September 1, but he got on base via a walk in that contest,  In fact, as of September 29, he had appeared in 29 MLB gams and been on base via hit or walk in every one.  His 2023 stat line as of September 30 – 29 games,  .275-1-6, with 19 runs, 20 walks and 19 strikeouts.

Happy Birthday, Joey!

On Sunday, September 10, Reds 1B Joey Votto celebrated his fortieth birthday in style – leading off the eighth inning with a home run off the Cardinals’ Andrew Suarez (part of a 7-1 Reds Win in in St. Louis).  It was Votto’s 14^th long ball of the season and the 356^th homer of his 17-season MLB career. Votto is a six-time All Star and was the 2010 National League MVP.

A Tough Way To Lose

On September 10, three Brewers hurlers (Corbin Burnes, Devin Williams, Abner Uribe) held the Yankees not just scoreless – but hitless – over the first ten innings at Yankee Stadium. The Brewers, however, had managed just three hits and no runs.

The Brewers scored in the top of the eleventh – a single plating that “placed” runner. (Don’t even get me started on that.) The Yankees also plated their gift runner in the bottom of the inning.

Each team scored twice in the twelfth, before the Yankees finally won it 4-3 in the thirteenth – with five of the seven total runs scored being  ‘gifted” baserunners.” (Okay, that got me started.)

And a Happy Birthday to you, too, Freddie!

Dodgers’ 1B Freddie Freeman turned 34 on September 12th, but he didn’t show his age. In an 11-2 Dodgers win against the Padres (in LA), Freeman went four-for-five, with a homer, a double, four runs scored and two RBI. It was the fourth time Freeman has gone yard on his birthday – one shy of the MB record (more #InBaseballWeCountEverything).

It’s A Grand Old Game

On September 15, Twins’ 24-year-oold rookie infielder Royce Lewis laced a second-inning Grand Slam off of The White Sox’ Jesse Scholtens – breaking a 0-0 tie and starting the Twins toward a 10-2 victory in Chicago. And the Grand Slam was one of the record books.

• It was Lewis fourth grand slam in 18 games – shortest span of games for four Grand Slams in MLB history;
• It gave Lewis a share of the record for most Grand Slams by a rookie in a season;
• It gave Lewis the Twins’ franchise record for Grand Slams in a season.

Here a list of Lewis 2023 Grand Slams:

August 27, sixth inning  – off the Rangers’ Chris Stratton;

August 28, second inning – off the Guardians’ Xzavion Curry (gotta be the only MLBer whose first name starts XZ);

September 4, second inning – off the Guardians’ Lucas Giolito;

September 15, second inning – off the White Sox’ Jesse Scholtens.

Side Note; Lewis also had a Grand slam in 2022, when he played only 12 games (keeping his rookie status intact), giving him five Grand Slams in his first 66 MLB games,

Lewis, hampered by injury concerns, finished the 2023 season with a .309-15-52 stat line in just 58 games.

Sometimes It’s Not So Grand 

When Twins’ C Ryan Jeffers watched a called third strike from Angels’ righthander Andrew Wantz – in the second inning of a Twins 9-3 win over the Angels on September 24, it marked a not so grand MLB moment.  It was the Twins hitters’ 1,597th strikeout of the season – setting a new MLB single-season record. Notably, the Twins winning record this season is the exception, rather than the rule, among MLB’s top swing-and-miss teams.

A Braves New World

On September 16, as the Braves lost to the Marlins 11-5 in Miami, Braves’1B Matt Olson  went two-for-three with a home run .  It was his 52nd long ball of the season and gave him the Braves franchise single-season record for home runs (topping Andruw Jones … 51 in 2005). Olson, finished September with a .282-54-137 stat line (all career highs).  In fact, with one game left to play, Olson had reached career highs in hits, runs scored, triples, homers, total bases, RBI and average.  Note: On September 28, Olson drove in his 135^th and 136^th runs of the season, setting a modern-era (post 1900) franchise record for RBI (topping Eddie Mathews 135 in 1953).

The Time is WainwRIGHT

On September 18, Cardinals’ righthander Adam Wainwright – in his 18^th MLB season – came into his start against the Brewers with a sore right shoulder and a back impacted by the wear and tear of more than 2,500 MLB innings.  He had 199 MLB wins and a career 3.54 earned run average on his resume – but a 4-11, 7.95 record on the 2023 season.  On this day, Wainwright captured some of the old magic. He pitched seven strong innings (his longest start of the season), gave up just four hits (two walks) and held the Brewers scoreless (his first scoreless outing of the season) – as his Cardinals won 1-0.

The win, Wainwright’s 200^th MLB victory – proved to be his final MLB win. A few days later, Wainwright, who had already given notice that this would be his last season in uniform – confirmed that his back and shoulder issues would prevent him from taking the mound again begore retirement. (For trivia buffs, his last pitch was a 2-2 curveball to Brewers’ 3B Josh Donaldson (that Donaldson it for a flyout to center).

In the five seasons from 2009-214, Adam Wainwright went 92-50, 2.83 in 165 starts.

Wainwright will retire with a 200-128, 3.53 record. A three-time All Star, he twice led the NL in victories, owns a pair of Gold Gloves and three times finished in the top three in Cy Young Award voting. As a hitter, he homered on the very first pitch he ever saw (from the batter’s box) off the Giants’ Noah Lowry on May 24, 2006).  He went on to hit  .193, with ten homers and 75 RBI in 742 career at bats. For trivia buffs, what appears to be Adam Wainwright’s last MLB appearance was as a pinch hitter (in front of a Cardinals home crowd) in the sixth inning of a September 29 game against the Reds.  He hit for DH Luken Baker (in the cleanup spot) and grounded out against Brandon Williamson. (At the time, the Cardinals trailed 14-2.)

The Zero Heroes

September saw three complete-game shutouts.

September 8 – Zac Gallen, Diamondbacks, in a 1-0 win over the Cubs in Chicago. Gallen used 107 pitches, giving up three hits, walking one and fanning nine.

September 11 – Brian Woodruff, Brewers, in a 12-0 win over the Marlins in Milwaukee. Woodruff used 106 pitches to toss a seven-hitter, with one walk and seven whiffs.

September 27 – Gerrit Cole, Yankees, in a 6-0 win over the Blue Jays in Toronto.  Cole used 105 pitches, gave up two hits, walked none and fanned five.

Through September there were 21 single-pitcher shutouts in MLB. In 2022, there were 16.

Taking This Twins Thing Seriously

On September 17^th Twins manager Rocco Baldelli and his wife Allie added to their family with the birth of – of course – twins (both boys).

A Rookie First

On September 20, as the Diamondbacks topped the Giants  7-1 in Arizona, D-back’s rookie Corbin Carroll – starting in RF and leading off – had a big day. He went four-for-five, with a home run, three runs scored and two stolen baes. Not only did he lead the D-backs to a win, but he also hit his 25^th homer  of the season and stole his 49^th and 50^th bases – making him the first AL/NL rookie ever with a 25-50 season.

Another National Leaguer Goes “Clubbing”

On September 22, as the Braves topped the Nationals 9-6 in Washington D.C., Braves’ RF Ronald Acuna Jr. clubbed his 40th home run of the 2023 season. (He went two-for four, with a homer, double, hit-by-pitch, three runs scored and one RBI in the game). At the time, Acuna also had 68 stolen bases (in 81 attempts).  In the process, he became just the fifth member of the unique 40-40 club (forty homers and at least forty steals in the same season – joining Joe Canseco, A’s (42/40 in  1988); Barry Bonds, Giants (42/40 1996); Alex Rodriguez, Mariners (42/46 in 1998); Alfonso Soriano, Nationals (46/41 in  2006).

With that homer, Acuna also established a new exclusive club – the 40- homer/sixty-steal club. As September closed, they had to rename Acuna’s club the 40-70  Club (41 homers and 73 steals to go with a .338 average).

A Good Year to Lead Off

Ronald Acuna, Jr.’s September 22, home run gave him the record for home runs hit out of the leadoff spot in the  lineup in a single season at 40. In September 26, he extended that record to 41. As September closed, the Dodgers’ Mookie Betts had 39 home runs out of the leadoff spot this season, tying for second on the list.

Ditto the Above Headline

On September 23, Dodgers; 2B/OF Mookie Betts smacked a pair of doubles and drove in two runs, as the Dodgers topped the Giants 7-0 in LA.  Betts’ two RBI were his 104^th and 105^th of the season, giving him the single-season MLB record for RBI out of the leadoff spot. Charlie Blackman had held the record at 103 (2017). By September’s end Betts had extended his record to 107 RBI (.306-39-107).

Well, That’s Kind Of Surprising

On September 23, Aaron Judge had a big day versus the Diamondbacks (in New York).  Batting second and starting in RF for the Yankees, Judge:

• Doubled off Brandon Pfaadt in the bottom of the first inning;
• Hit a three-run homer to right-center off Pfaadt in the third;
• Hit a two-run homer off Pfaadt in the fifth;
• Hit a solo shot off Slade Cecconi in the seventh.

It was Judge’s second three-homer game of the 2023 season – which is why it is mentioned here.  Given a history that includes such sluggers as Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig and Mickey Mantle, it is surprising that Judge is the first Yankee with two three-homer games in a season. The Yankees, by the way, prevailed 7-1, with Judge collecting six RBI

More #InBaseballWeCountEverything

On September 24, with the Phillies leading the Mets 5-2 (in Philadelphia), the Phils called Mike Lorenzen in from the bullpen in the top of the ninth inning. Two groundouts and a strikeout later, Lorenzen had his first save of 2023. It came in just his second 2023 relief appearance – following 25 starts.  Why is it a highlight?  On August ninth, Lorenzen pitched a complete-game, no-hitter.  The save made him just the tenth  pitcher (since saves became an official stat in 1969) to toss a no-hitter and pick up a save in the same season.  Other names on the list Bob Moose (1969). Jim Bibby (1973); Nolan Ryan (1973); John Candelario (1973); Jerry Reuss (1976); Chris Bosio (1980); Matt Garza (1993); Tim Lincecum (2010).

They call Him the Streak

Between August 26 and September 27, the Padres’ Juan Soto ran off a streak of 30-games getting on base. During that streak her hit .349 (38-for-109), with 11 home runs, 32 RBI and 27 runs scored.,  He also drew 23 walks and was hit by a pitch (.463 on-base percentage).

 

–——Individual Statistical Leaders for September 2023——––

AVERAGE (minimum 75 September at  bats)

National League – Xander Bogaerts, Padres (.416); Noelvi Marte, Reds (.387); Seiya Suzuki, Cubs (.370)

American League –  Yandy Diaz, Rays (.345); Andres Gimenez, Guardians (.333); Josh Lowe, Rays (.318)

The lowest September average (among players with at least 50 at bats in the month)  belonged to Giants’ C Patrick Bailey  at .121 (7-for-58).

HOME RUNS

National League – Ronald Acuna, Jr., Braves (11); Matt Olson, Braves (11); Juan Soto, Padres (10); Kyle Schwarber, Phillies (10)

American League – Marcus Semien, Rangers (9); Nelson Valazquez, Royals (9); Logan O’Hoppe, Angels (9)

The Dodgers J.D. Martinez had the highest September slugging percentage (at least 75 at bats) at .724.  The AL leader was the Astros’ Yordan Alvarez at .629.

HITS

National League – Xander Bogaerts, Padres (42); Seiya Suzuki, Cubs (40); Ozzie Albies, Braves (38)

American League –  Gunnar Henderson, Orioles (33); Marcus Semien, Rangers (33); Jose Ramirez, Guardians (33)

The top seven hitters – in terms of base hits – for September were from the National League.

RUNS BATTED IN

National League – Juan Soto, Padres (29); Seiya Suzuki, Cubs (26); J.D. Martinez, Dodgers (25); Matt Olson, Braves (25)

American League –  Jose Abreu, Astros (26); Spencer Torkelson, Tigers (25); Royce Lewis, Twins (23)

The Rockies Nolan Jones led MLB (at least 75 September at bats) players in on-base percentage at .460. The AL  leader was the Yankees Aaron Judge at .452.  

DOUBLES

National League –   Willy Adames, Brewers (10); Xander Bogaerts, Padres (10); Michael Harris II, Braves (10); Marcell Ozuna, Braves (10)

American League –  Adley Rutschman, Orioles (9); Anthony Santander, Orioles (9); six with eight

TRIPLES

National League – Brenton Doyle, Rockies (4); TJ Freidl, Reds (3); Nolan Jones, Rockies (3)

American League –  Kyle Tucker, Astros (4); Gunnar Henderson, Orioles (3); five with two

The Cubs’ Seiya Suzuki  and Braves’ Marcel Ozuna led MLB in September extra-base hits with 18. The  Orioles’ Gunnar Henderson and Rangers’’  Marcus Semien led the AL with 17.

STOLEN BASES

National League –  Corbin Carroll, Diamondbacks (13); Elly De La Cruz, Reds (12); three with 11

American League – Esteury Ruiz, A’s (13); Bobby Witt, Jr., Royals (11); Andres Gimenez, Guardians (8)

The Diamondbacks’ Corbin Carroll  stole his MLB-leading 13 bases in September  without ever getting caught.

WALKS

National League –  Bryce Harper, Phillies (24); Kyle Schwarber, Phillies (24); Nolan Jones, Rockies (20)

American League –  Aaron Judge, Yankees (27); Edouard Julien, Twins (24); Andy Rutschman, Orioles (19)

The Astros’ Alex Bregman  led in walks/strikeouts ratio (among batters with at least 75 September plate appearances)  at 2.00 … 16 walks versus 8 whiffs in 26 games.

BATTER’S STRIKEOUTS

National League – Kyle Schwarber, Phillies (43); Ryan McMahon, Rockies (33); Nick Castellanos, Phillies (33)

American League – Ryan Noda, A’s (45); Teoscar Hernandez, Mariners (40); Eugenio Suarez, Mariners (40)

PITCHING VICTORIES

National League – Spencer Strider, Braves (4-1); Michael Wacha, Padres (4-2); 13 with three

American League –  Tarik Skubal, Tigers (4-0); Brito, Yankees (4-1); 20 with three

Leading MLB with four September losses were: John Brebbia, Giants (1-4, 4.82); Hunter Brown, Astros (1-4, 9.14); Griffin Canning, Angels (0-4, 4.13); Carlos Rodon, Yankees (2-4, 8.10)

Right Place Right Time & Vice Versa

The Rangers’ Dane Dunning went 3-0, in five September games (four starts) with a 5.02 ERA. The Yankees Michael King went 1-2 in five starts, with a 1.30 ERA.

EARNED RUN AVERAGE (minimum 25 September innings pitched)

National League –  Blake Snell, Padres (0.58); Brandon Woodruff, Brewers (1.67); Logan Webb, Giants (2.02)

American League – Tarik Skubal, Tigers (0.90); Michael King, Yankees (1.30): Reese Olson, Tigers (1.44)

The Royals’ James McArthur  threw the most September  innings without giving  up an earned run (14 1/3). In 11 September  appearances, he gave up just  hits and no runs, while fanning 15 and not walking a single batter.

 INNINGS PITCHED

National League: Zac Gallen, Diamondbacks (36 2/3); Merrill Kelly, Diamondbacks (36 1/3); Logan Webb, Giants (35 2/3)

American League:  Justin Verlander (39); Jordan Montgomery, Rangers (36 1/3); Logan Gilbert (35 2/3)

 STRIKEOUTS

National League – Blake Snell, Padres (41K / 31 IP); Merrill Kelly, Diamondbacks (40K / 36 1/3 IP); Zac Gallen (38K / 36 2/3 IP)

American League – Tyler Glasnow, Rays (48K / 33 1/3 IP); Nick Pivetta, Red Sox (43K / 33 1/3 IP); Tarik Skubal, Tigers (43K / 30 IP)

SAVES

National League – David Bednar, Pirates (9); Tanner Scott, Marlins (8); three with six

American League – Emmanuel Clase, Guardians (8); Clay Holmes, Yankees (8); Pete Fairbanks, Rays (7)

The Pirates’  David  had the most saves without a blown saves in September at nine.

WHIP (Walks +  Hits per Inning Pitched – minimum 25 August innings)

National League – Ryan Pepiot, Dodgers (0.76); Brandon Woodruff, Brewers (0.81); Freddy Peralta, Brewers (0.83)

American League – Tarik Skubal, Tigers (0.60); Gerrit Cole, Yankees (0.69);  Reese Olson, Tigers (0.77)

The Padres’ Blake Snell (among pitchers with at least 25 September inning) held hitter to the lowest average (.123). In the AL, that honor went to Tarik Skubal of the Tigers at .135.

 Random  Bonus Stats:

• Lucas Giolito of the White Sox gave up the most September homers (10 in 25 2/3 IP), He went 1-3, 6.66.
• The Yankees’ Gerrit Cole pitched the most September innings without giving up home run – 35.
• The Pirate’s Johan Oviedo walked the most batters in September (19 in 23 1/3 innings).

Primary Resources:  Baseball-Reference.com; MLB.com; Baseball-Almnac.com

 

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In today’s post, Baseball Roundtable takes a look at (possibly) the streakiest team in MLB history. As is the Baseball Roundtable tradition, when I look into baseball events (past and current) “one thing always leads to another.” This journey began with my interest in the remarkable 1916 season of New York Giants’ pitcher Ferdie Schupp (more on that in a bit.) However, I soon became distracted by the remarkably streaky season of the 1916 Giants as a whole.

On this date (September 7) in 1916, the aforementioned Schupp started for the Giants against Nap Rucker and the Brooklyn Robins (Dodgers) at the Polo Grounds. Southpaw Schupp went the distance for the Giants, tossing a two-hitter. Lefty Rucker also went the distance (a six-hitter) and all four runs scored against him were unearned. The win brought the fourth-place Giants record to 60-62 and dropped the second-place Robins to 74-51.

More important, the win was the first of an MLB-record 26-game winning streak for the Giants.  (Side note: the streak was interrupted after 12 games by a 1-1 tie.  However, ties were not counted in MLB standings and, at the time, games were replayed not resumed. Therefore, MLB recognizes the Giants’ streak as the record.)

That the Giants would go on a streak is no surprise.  During the 1916 season, looking at streaks of five or more games, the Giants:

• Had winning streaks of 26 and 17 games;
• Suffered losing streaks of eight games (part of 13 losses in 15 games), five games and six games (the latter two part of a streak of 11 losses in 12 games).

The 1916 Giants are the only team with a 20 (or more)-game, in-season winning streak that did not finish in first place. In fact, the Giants started their record winning streak in fourth place, ended the streak in fourth place and finished the season in fourth place. 

The Giants’ two winning streaks provided a record-book bonanza.

• The 26-game winning streak (September 7 through September 30) involved all home games (part of a 31-game homestand). That gave the Giants the record for the overall MLB winning streak and home winning streak.
• The 17-game winning streak involved all road games (part of a 21-game road trip). That streak gave the Giants the record for consecutive road wins.  While the Tigers broke the overall record for consecutive road wins in 1983-84, the Giants still share the single-season record of 17 consecutive road wins (with the 1984 Tigers).

A Tiger by the Tail

The 1983 Tigers won their final four road games. Detroit then opened the 1984 season by winning their first 17 road games (on their way to a 35-5 start).  The 17 road wins tied the single-season record for consecutive road wins and (with the four final road wins of 1983) helped set a new multi-season mark for consecutive road wins.

Now, let’s get back to those 1916 Giants.  In their 26-game winning streak, they outscored their opponents 121-32 (not counting the 1-1 tie). The streak included ten shutouts and four one-run victories.

During the streak, southpaw, Ferdie Schupp, the original topic of the research behind this post, started six games and went 6-0, with a 0.33 earned run average.  He tossed six compete games and gave up just three runs (two earned) and just 17 hits in 54 innings.

Schupp (who made his first 1916 MLB appearance on June 13) finished the 1916 season with a 9-3, record and a 0.90 earned run average in 140 1/3 innings. Notably, Schupp’s 0.90 earned run average was – at the time – recognized as the MLB single-season earned run average record. If you look at today’s record books, the single-season lowest ERA record (post-1900) is assigned to the Red Sox’ Dutch Leonard (0.96 in 1914), with statisticians applying the current qualifying standard of at least one inning pitched per team’s game played. But as Daniel Levitt pointed out in his superb article in the 1996 Society of American Baseball Research “Baseball Research Journal (“Lowest Season ERA? Ferdie Schupp.  He meets the Criteria”), the standard for qualifying at the time was a season of with at least ten complete games. Levitt makes a strong case that Schupp should still have the record on the basis of the criteria at the time,  longevity of that recognition and the  lack of new evidence to the contrary. Baseball Roundtable agrees (that was the original focus of this post).

Schupp followed up his 1916 season with a 21-7, 1.95 record for the 1917 Giants (with 25 complete games in 32 starts). His career MLB mark (10 seasons) was  61-39, 3.32.

Here are a few other factoids about 20+ game MLB winning streaks:

• In their 2017 22-game wining streak, the Cleveland Indians outscored their opponents 142-37, threw seven shutouts and won four one-run games. The streak covered 11 home games and 11 away games. The Indians’ big four starters of Trevor Bauer, Mike Clevenger, Carlos Carrasco and Corey Kluber picked up wins in 17 of the 22 games (they also got the wins in 65 of the team’s 102 2017 victories).
• The 1935 Cubs outscored their opponents 137-50 in their 1935 21-game winning streak. It included four shutouts and five one-run games – and 18 home games (versus three road games). Eighteen of the Cubs’ 21 wins involved complete games by the Cubs’ starting pitcher (#HowTheGameHasChanged).
• The 2002 A’s outscored their opponents 141-65 in their 20-game winning streak, which included four shutouts, four one-run games, ten home wins and ten road wins. The final three wins in the A’s streak were walk-off wins at home.

Primary Resources:  Baseball-Reference.com; Baseball-Almanac.com; “Best Season ERA? Try Freddie Schupp,” by Daniel R. Levitt, The Baseball Research Journal, Society for American Baseball Research, 1996.

Baseball Roundtable – Blogging Baseball Since 2012.

Baseball Roundtable is on the Feedspot list of the Top 100 Baseball Blogs.  To see the full list, click here.

Baseball Roundtable is also on the Anytime Baseball Supply Top 66 Baseball Sites list.  For the full list, click here. 

I tweet (on X) baseball @DavidBaseballRT

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Member: Society for American Baseball Research (SABR); Negro Leagues Baseball Museum; The Baseball Reliquary.

 

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