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Run support is something of an issue as it relates to the Cy Young race. Its also sheds light on a pitcher's Won-Lost record. For the purposes of this study, I am only looking at the runs scored while the starter was the pitcher of record. (If the Cards score 11 runs in a given game, but score them all after Carpenter is no longer the pitcher of record, it doesn't really do him any good, does it?)
So, through the first 158, here's how they have done?
No starter does real well on less than 2 support runs. It's happened to Carpenter 5 times (he's 0-2). It's happened to Mulder 6 times (1-5). Suppan's had it happen to him 8 times (0-8). Marquis has had 11 starts where he's been given 0 or 1 run. He's 0-8. Morris is 0-5 in 6 starts with almost no support.
Where the pitchers start to separate themselves is when they have 2 or 3 runs to work with. This is still not a lot of support, but enough for the best pitchers to turn to their advantage.
Carpenter has gotten 2 or 3 runs to work with 7 times. He's 5-1 with a 1.33 ERA and a .195 average against.
Mulder's numbers in 10 such games: 4-1, 2.69, .258. His bullpen has also blown 4 would-have-been wins in these games.
Suppan in 7 of these games is the big surprise of the lot. He's 4-1, 1.14 .216 and one other lead blown by the pen.
Marquis? Six games at 2 or 3 runs, 2-4, 4.42, .280.
And Morris? Five games, 0-2, 3.56, .254. He's left two of these games with leads that were later blown by the bullpen.
With at least 4 runs of support, the records are: Carpenter 16-2, Mulder 11-2, Morris 14-3, Suppan 12-1 and Marquis 11-2. If we get 4 runs while our starters are still in there, we should do OK.
So, through the first 158, here's how they have done?
No starter does real well on less than 2 support runs. It's happened to Carpenter 5 times (he's 0-2). It's happened to Mulder 6 times (1-5). Suppan's had it happen to him 8 times (0-8). Marquis has had 11 starts where he's been given 0 or 1 run. He's 0-8. Morris is 0-5 in 6 starts with almost no support.
Where the pitchers start to separate themselves is when they have 2 or 3 runs to work with. This is still not a lot of support, but enough for the best pitchers to turn to their advantage.
Carpenter has gotten 2 or 3 runs to work with 7 times. He's 5-1 with a 1.33 ERA and a .195 average against.
Mulder's numbers in 10 such games: 4-1, 2.69, .258. His bullpen has also blown 4 would-have-been wins in these games.
Suppan in 7 of these games is the big surprise of the lot. He's 4-1, 1.14 .216 and one other lead blown by the pen.
Marquis? Six games at 2 or 3 runs, 2-4, 4.42, .280.
And Morris? Five games, 0-2, 3.56, .254. He's left two of these games with leads that were later blown by the bullpen.
With at least 4 runs of support, the records are: Carpenter 16-2, Mulder 11-2, Morris 14-3, Suppan 12-1 and Marquis 11-2. If we get 4 runs while our starters are still in there, we should do OK.
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