Brewers May Set Franchise Pitching Records This Year
While 34 games might be a touch early to think about where a team might finish by the end of the season, it also can reflect how good or bad a club has been. Overall, it's a minor miracle the Milwaukee Brewers have started 14-20, because the pitching is on pace for historically poor numbers.
First you start to wonder how good the Brewers' record could be if the pitching was even average. Then, you start to question which one of 3 directions the pitching will go...
1) Could it get even worse? (probably not)
2) Will they continue on this pace? (possible)
3) Only way to go is up! (likely)
So, with 79% of the season still remaining, here's a peek at where this year's staff is headed in terms of the franchise's all-time marks.
Worst ERA
As of the morning of May 12, the Brewers' team ERA stands at 5.42 - more than a quarter of a run higher than the current franchise record-holders: The 1996 staff with a 5.14 ERA. Amazingly, that team finished with an 80-82 record, but there were some factors to consider.
That club was in the American League and played in a much different run environment. For example, the Brewers' offense in '96 holds the franchise record for runs scored per game (better than 1982). The rotation included Ben McDonald, Scott Karl, Ricky Bones (7-14, 5.83 ERA) and Steve Sparks (6.60 ERA).
This year's hurlers - who own MLB's worst ERA as well - have no such excuses, making it a bit more concerning they've been this bad. The team with the next highest ERA this season is Cincinnati at 5.18. However, this all should add to the belief that it will get better before it gets worse.
Highest WHIP (Walks and Hits per Inning Pitched) With a present WHIP of 1.619, the Brewers are the only team in baseball with a WHIP greater than 1.5 this year. Typically, if you're allowing more than one-and-a-half base runners per inning, you're going give up a bunch of runs.
This year's team WHIP would crush the 1995 performance of 1.551, which led the team to a 65-79 mark. You may notice that was only 144 games as it was a strike-shortened season. The 1999 club holds the record for a full season, "boasting" a 1.549 WHIP in the 2nd year of NL play.
The '99 pitchers' WHIP was only topped by the Colorado Rockies that season, which shouldn't really count. Milwaukee ended that year 74-87 with a staff led by Steve Woodard, 30-year-old Hideo Nomo, Cal Eldred (2-8, 7.79 ERA) and Jim Abbott.
Most Home Runs Allowed
There's a theory that as the days get warmer, balls start to fly out of the ballpark at higher rates. It's potentially more of a factor in Milwaukee when the roof and panels get opened up and those projectiles find jet streams to carry them over the fence.
That could be a major problem as the Brewers are already on pace to give up the most home runs in franchise history. Through 34 games they've allowed 50 HR, the 2nd-most in MLB behind the Reds' 63. If that pace holds, you're looking at 238 long balls by year's end.
As of now, the 2003 Brewers have the dubious distinction of allowing the most gopher balls, tossing up 219 to lead the NL. Some names from that rotation: Ben Sheets, Wayne Franklin (36 HR allowed) and Glendon Rusch (1-12, 6.42 ERA). They ended up at 68-94, the same record as last season's club.
Top 5 in Most Walks Allowed
While Brewers' hitters have done a phenomenal job at drawing free passes this season, the pitchers have done the same for the opposition. With 136 walks (exactly 4 per game), Milwaukee has the 4th-most walks in the NL, 2 shy of "2nd place."
That puts them on a pace for 648 on the season, 4th-most in franchise history (not counting the 1969 Seattle Pilots). The top 3 in order are:
2000 Brewers: 728 walks, 73-89 record
2001 Brewers: 667 walks, 68-94 record
2002 Brewers: 666 walks, 56-106 record
What a terrible 3 years to watch baseball in Milwaukee. And it needs to be pointed out, that the worst team in franchise history bears the Devil's number in walks allowed. Only in baseball would the numbers align so beautifully.
As far as the 2000 staff that holds the high-water mark, it included Jimmy Haynes, Jamey Wright, Jeff D'Amico (12-7, 2.66 ERA), John Snyder (who?), Jason Bere and Paul Rigdon. That's quite the group.
So to recap, from 1999-2003, Brewers' fans suffered through the franchises' worst seasons in...
WHIP
Walks Allowed
Walks Allowed (2nd-most)
Team Win-Loss Record
Home Runs Allowed
That is one ugly half-decade of baseball in Milwaukee, and this year's pitching staff is emulating all of it right now.