Updated throughout the day with quick takes from staff.
Entering Saturday, the Padres held the best run differential in the National League (+83) this season, thanks in large part to their pitching staff, which has given up an average of only 3.43 runs per game. This puts them on pace to give up only 555 runs this season, and regardless of whether the Padres' staff (which will be missing Mat Latos for a spell) can keep it up at the same rate, the point is still made.
The last team to have given up less than 555 runs in a season was the 1989 Los Angeles Dodgers (who surrendered 536). Not even the Atlanta Braves' staffs of the '90s and early '00s were able to do that. Look at the stats, and you'll see why.
Here are the Padres' starting five.
| Rk | Pos | Age | ERA | GS | IP | SO | ERA+ | WHIP | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | SP | Jon Garland | 30 | 3.45 | 19 | 114.2 | 74 | 105 | 1.352 |
| 2 | SP | Clayton Richard* | 26 | 3.33 | 18 | 113.2 | 90 | 109 | 1.337 |
| 3 | SP | Mat Latos | 22 | 2.45 | 17 | 106.2 | 99 | 148 | 0.966 |
| 4 | SP | Wade LeBlanc* | 25 | 3.30 | 16 | 92.2 | 63 | 110 | 1.435 |
| 5 | SP | Kevin Correia | 29 | 5.26 | 17 | 92.1 | 73 | 69 | 1.484 |
Latos has broken out in a big way this year, and Garland, Richard, and LeBlanc are putting up solid numbers. It's a good rotation, but it's not, say, the 1998 Braves' five-headed monster. Here's the difference.
| Rk | Pos | Age | ERA | SV | IP | ERA+ | WHIP | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | CL | Heath Bell | 32 | 1.88 | 24 | 38.1 | 195 | 1.330 |
| 7 | RP | Luke Gregerson | 26 | 2.91 | 1 | 43.1 | 125 | 0.738 |
| 8 | RP | Edward Mujica | 26 | 2.93 | 0 | 43.0 | 125 | 0.907 |
| 9 | RP | Mike Adams | 31 | 2.18 | 0 | 41.1 | 168 | 0.944 |
| 10 | RP | Ryan Webb | 24 | 2.27 | 0 | 35.2 | 161 | 1.121 |
If you can recall ever seeing a better-looking bullpen, say something in the comments, because I can't. Here's something strange: all five of these relievers are right-handed. This season, the Padres have used left-handers for only 23.1 innings of relief work (18.2 from Joe Thatcher and 4.1 from Cesar Ramos).
So, yes, the Padres are offering some of the best baseball we've seen from a pitching staff in quite a while. The only criticism I have to offer is that they are terrible at sneezing, which, of course, is baseball's unspoken sixth tool. If only Latos could have mastered the Dracula sneeze.
Read more on the Dads at our Padres blog, Gaslamp Ball.
8 comments
Comments
At least, until you look at where they play
After you adjust for park factors, the Padres aren’t even the best pitching staff in their division. Top 5 team by ERA+ in the National League
They’re good – sure, particularly the bullpen. But Petco would make any pitcher look a good deal better. Just ask Jon Garland.
"It's not the despair, Laura. I can take the despair. It's the hope I can't stand." -- Brian Stimpson
by Jim McLennan on Jul 17, 2010 8:18 PM EDT reply actions
If you look at the stats for away games
1) San Diego
2) Cincy
3) Atlanta
4) St Louis
5) Colorado
Ironically at home the Pads are 4th
by bo_shilo on Jul 19, 2010 12:14 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Petco park suppresses runs and their staff is bound to see some regression soon.
by sleeknerve on Jul 18, 2010 1:47 AM EDT reply actions
Well I’m glad somebody knows the future.
Bolts from the Blue - Destroying your opinions with facts.
by John Gennaro on Jul 19, 2010 1:17 AM EDT up reply actions
It’s about time the San Diego Padres get a little recognition.
by sdjordan1086 on Jul 18, 2010 3:33 AM EDT reply actions
I wonder who the weak link is...
Correia out – Stauffer in! But seriously guys – the Padres ballpark doesn’t supress THAT many runs. Today’s game had 5 homers between both teams at Petco.
The Source for Padres Ace Mat Latos News, Commentary, and Cards:
http://MatLatos.com
by MatLatos.com on Jul 18, 2010 5:44 AM EDT reply actions
GRET JOB, BOYS!!!
….I think Latos was the ‘key’. We knew eventually he’d be pretty good. But coming out of ST, we didnt know he’d be this good, this fast. Im really impressed. And I think whats happening is that Garland and the rest of the guys are politely competing with the kid…even as teammates, the older guys dont wanna be out done by “The Kid”…that dont mean that they’re killing themselves to do better than him. But we are getting their best efforts and its benefitting the team…which is really the most important thing.
by MrBoomBoom on Jul 18, 2010 9:49 AM EDT reply actions
The 2005 Chicago White Sox Bullpen
http://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/CHW/2005.shtml
So many career years.
When I was a kid, I didn't want to be a doctor or a fireman. I wanted to be Super Mario. It's the most literal pipe dream I've ever had.
by U-God on Jul 18, 2010 2:29 PM EDT reply actions
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