Did ya know ... that going into today’s action the MLB average innings pitched by starters this season is 4.7 ... the Rays ( they often use an Opener ) average 3.8 IP/Start and the Indians get the greatest length at 6.1 IP/Start. Only eight of the thirty teams average 5 IP/Start or more. ( Indians - 6.1 , Cubs - 5.9, Rockies 5.6, Phillies 5.4, Reds 5.3, Astros, A’s & Padres 5.0 )
The MLB IP/Start averages per year for the most recent five seasons :
In 2019 - 5.2 - 22 teams had averages of 5.0 or better ... no team had an average above 5.8 which was the Mets and Nationals staffs tying for the greatest length.
In 2018 - 5.4 - 29 teams had averages of 5.0 or better ... the Rays introduced the “Opener” and averaged 3.9 - only one team had an average in the sixes - the Indians were at 6.1
In 2017 - 5.5 - all 30 teams had averages of 5.1 or better - only one team had an average of 6 or better - Nationals were at 6.0
In 2016 - 5.6 - all 30 teams had averages of 5.3 or better - five teams had averages of 6 or better - White Sox and Mets were tops at 6.2
In 2015 - 5.8 - all 30 teams had averages of 5.3 or better - nine teams had averages of 6 or better - Cubs, Giants and Jays were best at 6.1
For National League clubs this year’s average is 4.8 IP/Start - only five teams are at 5 or above ( Phillies are third best at 5.4 ... Cubs are best at 5.9 ... Marlins worst at 4.1 )
The NL For the prior five years ...
In 2019 - 5.4 - 14 teams were at 5.0 or above - Brewers were at 4.9 - Mets/Nationals tops at 5.8
In 2018 - 5.5 - all 15 teams were at 5.1 or above - Rockies, Nationals & Diamondbacks tops at 5.7 and Padres at the bottom at 5.1
In 2017 - 5.5 - all 15 teams were at 5.1 or above - Nationals were tops at 6 - Reds and Marlins at the bottom at 5.1
In 2016 - 5.6 - all 15 teams were at 5.3 or above - Giants and Cubs led at 6.1 with Pirates at the bottom at 5.3
In 2015 - 5.8 - all 15 teams were at 5.3 or above - five were at 6 or better - Mets topped the list at 6.2 .... Rockies on the bottom at 5.3
For American League clubs this year’s average is 4.6 IP/Start ... only three teams ( A’s, Astros and Indians ) are at 5.0 or above with the Indians on top at 6.1 ... Rays are at the bottom at 3.8 and the Red Sox are at 3.9
The AL the past five years ...
In 2019 - 5.0 - only 8 teams were at 5.0 or above - no team was at six or above ... Indians were tops at 5.7 - Angels at the bottom at 4.2 ... Rays, Jays, Mariners, Yankees, Tigers and Orioles all averaged between 4.3 and 4.9.
In 2018 - 5.3 - 14 teams were at 5.0 or above - only one ( Indians ) above six at 6.1 ... Rays introduced the “Opener” and were at 3.9
In 2017 - 5.5 - all 15 teams were at 5.2 or above - none were at 6 - Red Sox and Indians at the top at 5.9 and Orioles at the bottom at 5.2
In 2016 - 5.7 - all 15 teams were at 5.4 or above - three were at 6 or better - White Sox topped the list at 6.2 .... Angels,A’s and Twins on the bottom at 5.4
In 2015 - 5.8 - all 15 teams were at 5.6 or above - four were at 6 or better - Blue Jays topped the list at 6.1 .... Rays on the bottom at 5.6
The bottom line ... the DH doesn’t seem to have much effect lately if it ever did in regards to starting pitching length of action ... in 2019 it was the AL clubs who were more frequent users of the bullpen which has also been the trend over the past three seasons continuing into this year ... just sayin
Happy Day, Happy Baseball ⚾️
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