Arrieta

[Valuist]

I didn't see Gibson in 1968, but did see Carlton in 1972, Guidry in 1978, Valenzuela in 1981, Pedro in 2000. Right now, Jake Arrieta is as good as any of them. Since the All-Star break, he's 11-1 with 9 earned runs allowed in 101 innings, for an ERA of 0.80. In his last 10 starts, he's allowed 4 or less hits in 8 of the starts, including one no-hitter, one 1-hitter, and a two hitter. Not bad for a guy acquired for Scott Feldman.

[thaskalos]

It's unbelievable how this guy has totally transformed himself as a pitcher. He is making some very good hitters look absolutely HELPLESS up there. When he no-hit the Dodgers in LA a couple of starts ago...he did it while striking out the side in the 9th. How often is THAT done!

And he seems to be a great guy, to boot.

[ManU918]

Tough beat for Grienke as he has pitched amazing this year as well but Arrieta is getting the hardware.

[horses4courses]

Arrieta has been terrific this year.
So were all the others mentioned above.

What about Bumgarner, though?
The best playoff pitcher there is - and probably ever.
How quickly we forget.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2...season-records

Having also dominated in his two previous appearances (2010 and 2012) on the game's biggest stage, Bumgarner now owns a 0.25 career ERA through 36 innings in the World Series, making him the all-time leader among all pitchers who have thrown 25 or more innings, per MLB Stat of the Day.

As for records spanning an entire playoff run, Bumgarner set the all-time mark for innings pitched in a single postseason, with his 52.2 surpassing Curt Schilling's 48.1 from 2001

[ManU918]

Originally Posted by horses4courses

Arrieta has been terrific this year.
So were all the others mentioned above.

What about Bumgarner, though?
The best playoff pitcher there is - and probably ever.
How quickly we forget.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2...season-records

If we were talking about past postseason success you would have a point. But as far as this season goes, Bumgarner hasn't been anywhere near as good as Arrieta.

[Valuist]

Originally Posted by thaskalos

It's unbelievable how this guy has totally transformed himself as a pitcher. He is making some very good hitters look absolutely HELPLESS up there. When he no-hit the Dodgers in LA a couple of starts ago...he did it while striking out the side in the 9th. How often is THAT done!

And he seems to be a great guy, to boot.

You hit the nail on the head. He doesn't just get guys out. He makes them look really bad. So many hitters either end up buckling knees on his slider and cutter, or end up pretzeled at the plate.

[horses4courses]

Originally Posted by ManU918

If we were talking about past postseason success you would have a point. But as far as this season goes, Bumgarner hasn't been anywhere near as good as Arrieta.

You're right.
He hasn't.

Next week is when the serious business begins for Arrieta and the Cubs.
We'll see how he goes.

[OTM Al]

Originally Posted by horses4courses

You're right.
He hasn't.

Next week is when the serious business begins for Arrieta and the Cubs.
We'll see how he goes.

Yep, and none of it matters if he doesn't get them through the wildcard game. Too bad one of those teams doesn't make the division series round because they may now be the 1-2 best in the NL. Such a good division this year and you have to just feel the Cards will find that missing gear when it finally starts.

[horses4courses]

Originally Posted by OTM Al

Yep, and none of it matters if he doesn't get them through the wildcard game. Too bad one of those teams doesn't make the division series round because they may now be the 1-2 best in the NL. Such a good division this year and you have to just feel the Cards will find that missing gear when it finally starts.

Very true.
Both Pittsburgh and the Cubs have loads of talent.
As usual, the MLB playoffs will be hugely entertaining.

[ManU918]

Originally Posted by OTM Al

Yep, and none of it matters if he doesn't get them through the wildcard game.

Considering that he is arbitration eligible next year I think he would beg to differ.

[horses4courses]

Originally Posted by ManU918

Considering that he is arbitration eligible next year I think he would beg to differ.

Next week, if he goes less than 5 innings, and gives up 4+ earned runs
in a wildcard eliminator, you're right again - he is still sitting on a huge
contract down the road, regardless.

Little consolation to the Cubs faithful..........

[OTM Al]

Originally Posted by ManU918

Considering that he is arbitration eligible next year I think he would beg to differ.

Wasn't talking about that clearly. He bombs though, it is going to affect him more than it would in some random regular season game.

[AndyC]

Originally Posted by horses4courses

.....The best playoff pitcher there is - and probably ever. How quickly we forget...

I would have handed the ball to Koufax before Bumgarner. Koufax had post season ERA under 1.00, Bumgarner is at just over 2.

[thaskalos]

Originally Posted by AndyC

I would have handed the ball to Koufax before Bumgarner. Koufax had post season ERA under 1.00, Bumgarner is at just over 2.

But Koufax is 79 years old.

[reckless]

Originally Posted by thaskalos

But Koufax is 79 years old.

Very funny, Gus.

It reminds me of a story I read years ago about the 1962 New York Mets.

Hall of Fame legend Rogers Hornsby was a coach on that very first Mets team, one of the worst ever; they went 40-120.

Before a game where the Mets were looking to end another long losing streak, a beat reporter and Hornsby had this conversation:

Reporter: "Rogers, if you were playing today what do you think you'd hit?" Hornsby retired as a player in 1937.

Hornsby, who had a career batting average of about .360, took a deep breath, contemplated the question for second, then said: "I don't know for sure; probably .285-.290."

The reporter looked puzzled and said: ".285-290? Why, Rajah, you batted .360 over a 22-year career. Why just .285."

"Well, you gotta remember," Hornsby said. "I'm 66 years old."