*** The information used here was obtained free of charge from and is copyrighted by Retrosheet. Interested parties may contact Retrosheet at 20 Sunset Rd., Newark, DE 19711. ***







~ Dedicated to my friend Joe, whose passion for this subject also goes back more than 25 years.



DEF/PFOPP is the degree by which the starter's E.R.A. was helped or hurt by his defense, park factors, runners left on base, and quality of opposing batters.
> 1.00 means it was more difficult for the starter and is beneficial to his adjusted ERA.
> The DEFENSE/PFOPP-adjusted E.R.A. is below the actual E.R.A.

PFOPP itself is a merging of Park Factors, game by game, where the pitcher started + the relative run-scoring ability of the OPPosing teams, game by game.
> 1.00 is beneficial to the pitcher's adjusted ERA.

OPPWL is the composite W-L record of the pitchers' opponents, in all of the games the opposing pitchers started that year. .
> .500 is beneficial to the pitcher's adjusted W% since it implies the starter faced above average run-scoring teams, or stronger than average opponents in general.

RUNS For/Agst is the total runs attributed for and against the starter, as pitcher of record.
This and other factors are used to determine expected W-L.

Note: Some of this data relies on play-by-play records. In cases where the play-by-play is not
available (mainly before 1912), full game log data is used and pro-rated using various criteria.

** As of this version, playoff game numbers have been incorporated, although not shown. Since all teams,
managers and players strive to win every game, playoff games are treated as any other game.


** Also as of this version, all seasons by a starter with at least 15 starts in the regular
seasons, and at least 100 IP (as a starter) are part of this analysis. This allows us to
incorporate even more of careers.

ALL 11,899 SEASONS, AS OF THROUGH 2024, ARE RANKED BY THEIR # OF STANDARD DEVIATIONS OVER OR UNDER AVERAGE. BUT, NON-QUALIFYING SEASONS WILL NOT BE SHOWN HERE. THERE ARE ROUGHLY AN EQUAL NUMBER OF POSITIVE (5791) AND NEGATIVE (6108) SEASONS.

WALTERJ PEDROM PEDROM GREGM RANDYJ ROGERC DWIGHTG RONG CYY LEFTYG

Top 150 Starting Pitcher Seasons, 1890-2024*. Min. ~4.40 StDevs over Avg.

{Playoff numbers included but not shown.}

Rank Pitcher Year Team(s) LG
ERA		 DEF/
PFOPP		 OPP
WL		 IP
(as starter)		 Runs For-
Agst		 Won
(as starter)		 Lost
(as starter)		 ERA
(Adj. ERA)		 ERA Score # STDEV over Avg. ERA Rank (of 11,899) W-L Score # STDEV over Avg. W-L Rank (of 11,899) Total (ERA+
W-L STDEV)		 Avg. Rank)
1 Walter Johnson 1913
Senators 2.93 1.08 .525 346.00
(314.67)		 132-
66		 36
(29)		 7
(7)		 1.14
(1.44)		 .820 3.36 11 .664 3.79 1 7.14 6.0
2 Pedro Martinez 1999
Red Sox 4.86 1.07 .514 213.33
(208.34)		 137-
54		 23
(22)		 4
(4)		 2.07
(2.32)		 .836 3.53 7 .643 3.28 5 6.82 6.0
3 Pedro Martinez 2000
Red Sox 4.91 1.02 .496 217.00
(217)		 114-
43		 18
(18)		 6
(6)		 1.74
(2.23)		 .831 3.47 9 .630 2.96 20 6.43 14.5
4 Greg Maddux 1995
Braves 4.18 1.03 .513 209.67
(209.67)		 101-
37		 19
(19)		 2
(2)		 1.63
(2.00)		 .795 3.07 24 .646 3.36 2 6.43 13.0
5 Randy Johnson 1995
Mariners 4.71 1.01 .547 214.33
(214.33)		 122-
64		 18
(18)		 2
(2)		 2.48
(2.26)		 .812 3.26 12 .636 3.12 9 6.38 10.5
6 Roger Clemens 1997
Blue Jays 4.56 .98 .508 264.00
(264)		 146-
65		 21
(21)		 7
(7)		 2.05
(2.13)		 .826 3.42 10 .628 2.92 21 6.35 15.5
7 Dwight Gooden 1985
Mets 3.59 .96 .483 276.67
(276.67)		 138-
51		 24
(24)		 4
(4)		 1.53
(1.87)		 .795 3.08 23 .636 3.11 11 6.19 17.0
8 Ron Guidry 1978
Yankees 3.77 .95 .508 273.67
(273.67)		 154-
59		 25
(25)		 3
(3)		 1.74
(2.14)		 .774 2.84 54 .646 3.34 3 6.18 28.5
9 Cy Young 1901
Red Sox 3.66 .90 .462 371.33
(369)		 235-
115		 33
(31)		 10
(10)		 1.62
(1.89)		 .811 3.26 13 .625 2.85 30 6.11 21.5
10 Lefty Grove 1931
Athletics 4.38 .98 .469 288.67
(260.33)		 164-
73		 31
(27)		 4
(3)		 2.06
(2.48)		 .768 2.77 61 .644 3.32 4 6.09 32.5
BOBGCHRISTYMSANDYKROGERCGREGMZACKGGREGMGROVERADEANCPEDROM

Top 150 Starting Pitcher Seasons, 1890-2024*. Min. ~4.40 StDevs over Avg.

Rank Pitcher Year Team(s) LG
ERA		 DEF/
PFOPP		 OPP
WL		 IP
(as starter)		 Runs For-
Agst		 Won
(as starter)		 Lost
(as starter)		 ERA
(Adj. ERA)		 ERA Score # STDEV over Avg. ERA Rank (of 11,899) W-L Score # STDEV over Avg. W-L Rank (of 11,899) Total (ERA+
W-L STDEV)		 Avg. Rank)
11 Bob Gibson 1968
Cardinals 2.99 .89 .478 304.67
(304.67)		 100-
48		 22
(22)		 9
(9)		 1.12
(1.50)		 .803 3.16 17 .627 2.88 27 6.04 22.0
12 Christy Mathewson 1905
Giants 2.99 .93 .487 338.67
(333)		 191-
77		 31
(29)		 9
(8)		 1.28
(1.78)		 .781 2.92 44 .636 3.12 10 6.03 27.0
13 Sandy Koufax 1966
Dodgers 3.61 .92 .498 323.00
(323)		 151-
75		 27
(27)		 9
(9)		 1.73
(1.88)		 .799 3.12 20 .628 2.91 24 6.03 22.0
14 Roger Clemens 1990
Red Sox 3.91 1.05 .512 228.33
(228.34)		 114-
59		 21
(21)		 6
(6)		 1.93
(1.87)		 .807 3.21 15 .622 2.78 40 5.99 27.5
15 Greg Maddux 1997
Braves 4.20 .97 .515 232.67
(232.67)		 138-
58		 19
(19)		 4
(4)		 2.20
(2.19)		 .801 3.14 19 .625 2.83 34 5.97 26.5
16 Zack Greinke 2009
Royals 4.45 1.03 .508 229.33
(229.34)		 107-
64		 16
(16)		 8
(8)		 2.16
(1.95)		 .841 3.59 6 .606 2.37 121 5.96 63.5
17 Greg Maddux 1994
Braves 4.21 .98 .458 202.00
(202)		 95-
44		 16
(16)		 6
(6)		 1.56
(1.87)		 .842 3.60 4 .604 2.32 137 5.92 70.5
18 Grover Alexander 1915
Phillies 2.75 1.04 .469 376.33
(369)		 176-
83		 31
(30)		 10
(9)		 1.22
(1.53)		 .781 2.91 45 .628 2.92 22 5.84 33.5
19 Dean Chance 1964
Angels 3.63 .87 .494 278.33
(257.33)		 82-
48		 20
(18)		 9
(8)		 1.65
(1.84)		 .804 3.17 16 .617 2.65 52 5.83 34.0
20 Pedro Martinez 2002
Red Sox 4.46 .98 .510 199.33
(199.34)		 138-
63		 20
(20)		 4
(4)		 2.26
(2.17)		 .808 3.23 14 .612 2.52 79 5.75 46.5
CHRISTYMRANDYJLEFTYGJASONSPEDROMKEVINBCHRISTYMTOMSCLAYTONKCHRISS

Top 150 Starting Pitcher Seasons, 1890-2024*. Min. ~4.40 StDevs over Avg.

Rank Pitcher Year Team(s) LG
ERA		 DEF/
PFOPP		 OPP
WL		 IP
(as starter)		 Runs For-
Agst		 Won
(as starter)		 Lost
(as starter)		 ERA
(Adj. ERA)		 ERA Score # STDEV over Avg. ERA Rank (of 11,899) W-L Score # STDEV over Avg. W-L Rank (of 11,899) Total (ERA+
W-L STDEV)		 Avg. Rank)
21 Christy Mathewson 1908
Giants 2.35 .98 .497 390.67
(396)		 162-
87		 37
(32)		 11
(10)		 1.43
(1.40)		 .757 2.65 83 .634 3.05 13 5.70 48.0
22 Randy Johnson 2001
Diamondbacks 4.36 1.11 .471 249.67
(242.66)		 147-
74		 21
(20)		 6
(6)		 2.49
(2.32)		 .797 3.10 22 .615 2.59 66 5.69 44.0
23 Lefty Grove 1930
Athletics 4.65 .92 .500 291.00
(250.67)		 200-
90		 28
(23)		 5
(3)		 2.54
(2.66)		 .773 2.84 55 .625 2.85 32 5.68 43.5
24 Jason Schmidt 2003
Giants 4.28 .97 .527 207.67
(207.67)		 116-
55		 17
(17)		 5
(5)		 2.34
(2.33)		 .787 2.98 34 .617 2.64 58 5.62 46.0
25 Pedro Martinez 1997
Expos 4.20 1.04 .518 241.33
(241.33)		 95-
64		 17
(17)		 8
(8)		 1.90
(2.12)		 .802 3.15 18 .609 2.44 99 5.59 58.5
26 Kevin Brown 1998
Padres 4.23 .87 .562 257.00
(256)		 128-
77		 18
(18)		 7
(7)		 2.38
(2.16)		 .789 3.01 29 .614 2.58 69 5.59 49.0
27 Christy Mathewson 1909
Giants 2.59 1.03 .528 275.33
(297)		 121-
62		 25
(23)		 6
(6)		 1.14
(1.52)		 .752 2.60 94 .631 2.98 16 5.59 55.0
28 Tom Seaver 1971
Mets 3.47 .94 .510 286.33
(285.66)		 123-
56		 20
(20)		 10
(9)		 1.76
(1.92)		 .774 2.84 52 .620 2.71 48 5.55 50.0
29 Clayton Kershaw 2016
Dodgers 4.16 .90 .536 149.00
(149)		 75-
32		 12
(12)		 4
(4)		 1.69
(1.65)		 .799 3.12 21 .606 2.39 112 5.51 66.5
30 Chris Sale 2024
Braves 4.13 .97 .478 177.67
(177.67)		 126-
48		 18
(18)		 3
(3)		 2.38
(2.10)		 .794 3.06 26 .607 2.41 108 5.47 67.0
CLIFFLZACKGPEDROMCYYJAKEAGERRITCCURTSWALTERJSANDYKJACOBD

Top 150 Starting Pitcher Seasons, 1890-2024*. Min. ~4.40 StDevs over Avg.

Rank Pitcher Year Team(s) LG
ERA		 DEF/
PFOPP		 OPP
WL		 IP
(as starter)		 Runs For-
Agst		 Won
(as starter)		 Lost
(as starter)		 ERA
(Adj. ERA)		 ERA Score # STDEV over Avg. ERA Rank (of 11,899) W-L Score # STDEV over Avg. W-L Rank (of 11,899) Total (ERA+
W-L STDEV)		 Avg. Rank)
31 Cliff Lee 2008
Indians 4.35 .97 .493 223.33
(223.34)		 152-
67		 22
(22)		 3
(3)		 2.54
(2.47)		 .760 2.68 75 .621 2.74 44 5.43 59.5
32 Zack Greinke 2015
Dodgers 3.91 .96 .528 222.67
(222.66)		 101-
43		 19
(19)		 3
(3)		 1.66
(2.34)		 .731 2.36 154 .633 3.04 14 5.40 84.0
33 Pedro Martinez 2003
Red Sox 4.53 1.01 .530 186.67
(186.67)		 125-
52		 14
(14)		 4
(4)		 2.22
(1.98)		 .785 2.96 36 .608 2.42 103 5.38 69.5
34 Cy Young 1902
Red Sox 3.57 .94 .545 384.67
(387)		 237-
143		 32
(32)		 11
(11)		 2.15
(2.19)		 .751 2.58 99 .622 2.78 42 5.36 70.5
35 Jake Arrieta 2015
Cubs 3.91 .96 .516 229.00
(229)		 118-
53		 22
(22)		 6
(6)		 1.77
(2.15)		 .750 2.58 101 .622 2.78 41 5.36 71.0
36 Gerrit Cole 2019
Astros 4.60 1.03 .454 212.33
(212.33)		 177-
65		 20
(20)		 5
(5)		 2.50
(2.50)		 .788 2.99 33 .605 2.36 123 5.35 78.0
37 Curt Schilling 2001
Diamondbacks 4.36 1.08 .524 256.67
(256.66)		 154-
84		 22
(22)		 6
(6)		 2.98
(2.93)		 .734 2.40 141 .628 2.92 23 5.32 82.0
38 Walter Johnson 1915
Senators 2.94 1.04 .532 336.67
(328)		 146-
79		 27
(25)		 13
(13)		 1.55
(1.81)		 .741 2.47 122 .625 2.84 33 5.31 77.5
39 Sandy Koufax 1963
Dodgers 3.29 .94 .463 311.00
(311)		 144-
64		 25
(25)		 5
(5)		 1.88
(2.06)		 .735 2.40 137 .627 2.90 26 5.31 81.5
40 Jacob deGrom 2018
Mets 4.02 .87 .472 217.00
(217)		 86-
49		 10
(10)		 9
(9)		 1.70
(1.70)		 .849 3.68 1 .575 1.63 698 5.30 349.5
WALTERJSANDYKJACKCBLAKESSTEVECKEVINBMARKPMORDBBRETSCLAYTONK

Top 150 Starting Pitcher Seasons, 1890-2024*. Min. ~4.40 StDevs over Avg.

Rank Pitcher Year Team(s) LG
ERA		 DEF/
PFOPP		 OPP
WL		 IP
(as starter)		 Runs For-
Agst		 Won
(as starter)		 Lost
(as starter)		 ERA
(Adj. ERA)		 ERA Score # STDEV over Avg. ERA Rank (of 11,899) W-L Score # STDEV over Avg. W-L Rank (of 11,899) Total (ERA+
W-L STDEV)		 Avg. Rank)
41 Walter Johnson 1912
Senators 3.34 .97 .468 369.00
(318)		 165-
80		 33
(27)		 12
(10)		 1.39
(1.98)		 .759 2.67 79 .616 2.63 59 5.30 69.0
42 Sandy Koufax 1964
Dodgers 3.54 .89 .541 223.00
(220)		 85-
46		 19
(19)		 5
(5)		 1.74
(2.13)		 .738 2.45 127 .625 2.85 29 5.30 78.0
43 Jack Coombs 1910
Athletics 2.53 .91 .494 353.00
(342)		 148-
65		 31
(27)		 9
(8)		 1.30
(1.51)		 .718 2.22 203 .634 3.07 12 5.29 107.5
44 Blake Snell 2018
Rays 4.27 .99 .503 180.67
(180.67)		 108-
41		 21
(21)		 5
(5)		 1.89
(2.52)		 .742 2.48 119 .623 2.80 38 5.28 78.5
45 Steve Carlton 1972
Phillies 3.46 .98 .501 346.33
(346.33)		 138-
83		 27
(27)		 10
(10)		 1.97
(2.16)		 .736 2.42 133 .625 2.85 31 5.26 82.0
46 Kevin Brown 1996
Marlins 4.21 .91 .518 233.00
(233)		 90-
58		 17
(17)		 11
(11)		 1.89
(2.26)		 .781 2.92 42 .604 2.33 133 5.25 87.5
47 Mark Prior 2003
Cubs 4.28 .99 .514 211.33
(211.34)		 114-
68		 18
(18)		 6
(6)		 2.43
(2.23)		 .785 2.96 37 .601 2.27 161 5.23 99.0
48 Mordecai Brown 1909
Cubs 2.59 .94 .527 342.67
(306)		 155-
73		 27
(25)		 9
(8)		 1.31
(1.55)		 .754 2.61 92 .615 2.60 64 5.22 78.0
49 Bret Saberhagen 1989
Royals 3.88 .93 .502 262.33
(260)		 141-
73		 23
(23)		 6
(5)		 2.16
(2.25)		 .756 2.64 84 .614 2.57 70 5.21 77.0
50 Clayton Kershaw 2014
Dodgers 3.66 .96 .514 198.33
(198.33)		 124-
43		 21
(21)		 3
(3)		 1.77
(1.85)		 .734 2.40 140 .624 2.81 36 5.21 88.0

Top 150 Starting Pitcher Seasons, 1890-2024*. Min. ~4.40 StDevs over Avg.

Rank Pitcher Year Team(s) LG
ERA		 DEF/
PFOPP		 OPP
WL		 IP
(as starter)		 Runs For-
Agst		 Won
(as starter)		 Lost
(as starter)		 ERA
(Adj. ERA)		 ERA Score # STDEV over Avg. ERA Rank (of 11,899) W-L Score # STDEV over Avg. W-L Rank (of 11,899) Total (ERA+
W-L STDEV)		 Avg. Rank)
51 Hal Newhouser 1946
Tigers 3.50 1.04 .464 292.67
(289)		 143-
73		 26
(26)		 9
(8)		 1.94
(2.08)		 .751 2.58 100 .616 2.63 60 5.21 80.0
52 Roy Halladay 2011
Phillies 3.81 1.00 .468 233.67
(233.67)		 125-
65		 19
(19)		 6
(6)		 2.35
(1.98)		 .786 2.98 35 .600 2.22 185 5.20 110.0
53 Ed Walsh 1908
White Sox 2.39 .87 .500 464.00
(441)		 162-
98		 40
(35)		 15
(14)		 1.42
(1.59)		 .719 2.23 202 .630 2.96 19 5.19 110.5
54 Carl Hubbell 1933
Giants 3.34 .94 .526 308.67
(274)		 89-
65		 23
(20)		 12
(11)		 1.66
(2.02)		 .755 2.64 87 .613 2.56 74 5.19 80.5
55 Harry Brecheen 1948
Cardinals 3.95 .96 .525 233.33
(228.67)		 115-
64		 20
(20)		 7
(7)		 2.24
(2.26)		 .760 2.68 76 .611 2.50 83 5.19 79.5
56 Spud Chandler 1943
Yankees 3.30 .93 .488 253.00
(253)		 113-
61		 20
(20)		 4
(4)		 1.64
(2.00)		 .756 2.64 86 .613 2.54 76 5.18 81.0
57 Eddie Cicotte 1919
White Sox 3.21 1.02 .526 306.67
(297.33)		 137-
76		 29
(27)		 7
(6)		 1.82
(2.12)		 .699 2.01 327 .638 3.15 7 5.16 167.0
58 Randy Johnson 2000
Diamondbacks 4.63 1.01 .487 248.67
(248.67)		 132-
88		 19
(19)		 7
(7)		 2.64
(2.42)		 .791 3.03 28 .595 2.11 226 5.14 127.0
59 Nolan Ryan 1981
Astros 3.49 .91 .546 149.00
(149)		 62-
34		 11
(11)		 5
(5)		 1.69
(1.78)		 .795 3.07 25 .593 2.07 252 5.14 138.5
60 Lefty Gomez 1937
Yankees 4.62 .97 .489 278.33
(278.33)		 176-
85		 21
(21)		 11
(11)		 2.33
(2.70)		 .764 2.73 69 .607 2.41 106 5.14 87.5

Top 150 Starting Pitcher Seasons, 1890-2024*. Min. ~4.40 StDevs over Avg.

Rank Pitcher Year Team(s) LG
ERA		 DEF/
PFOPP		 OPP
WL		 IP
(as starter)		 Runs For-
Agst		 Won
(as starter)		 Lost
(as starter)		 ERA
(Adj. ERA)		 ERA Score # STDEV over Avg. ERA Rank (of 11,899) W-L Score # STDEV over Avg. W-L Rank (of 11,899) Total (ERA+
W-L STDEV)		 Avg. Rank)
61 Randy Johnson 2002
Diamondbacks 4.11 1.10 .487 260.00
(260)		 173-
76		 24
(24)		 5
(5)		 2.32
(2.37)		 .740 2.47 123 .617 2.65 55 5.12 89.0
62 Sandy Koufax 1965
Dodgers 3.54 .88 .491 335.67
(333.67)		 138-
95		 26
(26)		 8
(8)		 2.04
(2.24)		 .749 2.56 103 .612 2.53 78 5.09 90.5
63 Roger Clemens 1998
Blue Jays 4.65 1.01 .462 234.67
(234.67)		 130-
78		 20
(20)		 6
(6)		 2.65
(2.53)		 .776 2.87 50 .599 2.22 186 5.09 118.0
64 Carl Lundgren 1907
Cubs 2.46 1.02 .526 207.00
(225)		 77-
51		 18
(15)		 7
(7)		 1.17
(1.27)		 .791 3.03 27 .592 2.04 264 5.07 145.5
65 Walter Johnson 1918
Senators 2.77 1.03 .512 326.00
(297)		 97-
63		 23
(20)		 13
(9)		 1.27
(1.68)		 .749 2.57 102 .611 2.50 88 5.07 95.0
66 Warren Spahn 1953
Braves 4.29 .90 .470 265.67
(260.34)		 142-
76		 23
(23)		 7
(7)		 2.10
(2.45)		 .763 2.72 71 .604 2.34 127 5.06 99.0
67 Chris Carpenter 2009
Cardinals 4.19 .95 .519 192.67
(192.67)		 105-
49		 17
(17)		 4
(4)		 2.24
(2.32)		 .748 2.55 104 .611 2.50 85 5.06 94.5
68 Felix Hernandez 2009
Mariners 4.45 .98 .537 238.67
(238.67)		 125-
81		 19
(19)		 5
(5)		 2.49
(2.57)		 .756 2.64 85 .606 2.38 116 5.02 100.5
69 Bob Feller 1946
Indians 3.50 .87 .589 371.33
(359)		 129-
94		 26
(26)		 15
(15)		 2.18
(2.30)		 .716 2.20 219 .624 2.82 35 5.02 127.0
70 Dolf Luque 1923
Reds 3.99 .95 .490 322.00
(309.33)		 153-
90		 27
(26)		 8
(8)		 1.93
(2.55)		 .725 2.30 178 .619 2.70 50 4.99 114.0

Top 150 Starting Pitcher Seasons, 1890-2024*. Min. ~4.40 StDevs over Avg.

Rank Pitcher Year Team(s) LG
ERA		 DEF/
PFOPP		 OPP
WL		 IP
(as starter)		 Runs For-
Agst		 Won
(as starter)		 Lost
(as starter)		 ERA
(Adj. ERA)		 ERA Score # STDEV over Avg. ERA Rank (of 11,899) W-L Score # STDEV over Avg. W-L Rank (of 11,899) Total (ERA+
W-L STDEV)		 Avg. Rank)
71 Cy Young 1892
Cleveland 3.28 .97 .506 453.00
(441)		 288-
148		 36
(34)		 12
(11)		 1.93
(2.31)		 .693 1.95 361 .632 3.02 15 4.97 188.0
72 Carl Hubbell 1936
Giants 4.02 1.00 .524 304.00
(290)		 135-
75		 26
(24)		 6
(6)		 2.31
(2.86)		 .679 1.79 484 .638 3.16 6 4.95 245.0
73 Hyun-Jin Ryu 2019
Dodgers 4.38 .97 .481 182.67
(182.66)		 113-
52		 14
(14)		 5
(5)		 2.32
(2.29)		 .779 2.90 48 .590 2.00 282 4.90 165.0
74 Mordecai Brown 1906
Cubs 2.63 .96 .518 277.33
(288)		 163-
66		 26
(25)		 6
(6)		 1.04
(1.55)		 .717 2.20 217 .617 2.65 54 4.85 135.5
75 Dizzy Dean 1934
Cardinals 4.06 1.10 .513 311.67
(280.67)		 177-
97		 30
(26)		 7
(5)		 2.66
(2.90)		 .687 1.87 427 .631 2.98 17 4.85 222.0
76 Jack Taylor 1902
Cubs 2.78 .92 .534 333.67
(306)		 129-
82		 23
(21)		 11
(11)		 1.29
(1.62)		 .765 2.74 65 .595 2.11 230 4.85 147.5
77 Claude Hendrix 1914
Chicago 3.20 .86 .521 362.00
(328)		 164-
82		 29
(26)		 10
(9)		 1.69
(2.10)		 .717 2.20 216 .617 2.64 57 4.85 136.5
78 Jake Peavy 2007
Padres 4.43 .82 .503 223.33
(223.33)		 145-
63		 19
(19)		 6
(6)		 2.54
(2.57)		 .752 2.59 96 .600 2.23 179 4.83 137.5
79 John Smoltz 1996
Braves 4.21 1.06 .532 253.67
(253.67)		 160-
95		 24
(24)		 8
(8)		 2.94
(2.86)		 .725 2.29 179 .612 2.52 80 4.82 129.5
80 Walter Johnson 1910
Senators 2.53 .97 .501 370.00
(378)		 162-
96		 25
(24)		 17
(16)		 1.36
(1.47)		 .767 2.76 64 .592 2.04 261 4.80 162.5

Top 150 Starting Pitcher Seasons, 1890-2024*. Min. ~4.40 StDevs over Avg.

Rank Pitcher Year Team(s) LG
ERA		 DEF/
PFOPP		 OPP
WL		 IP
(as starter)		 Runs For-
Agst		 Won
(as starter)		 Lost
(as starter)		 ERA
(Adj. ERA)		 ERA Score # STDEV over Avg. ERA Rank (of 11,899) W-L Score # STDEV over Avg. W-L Rank (of 11,899) Total (ERA+
W-L STDEV)		 Avg. Rank)
81 Dutch Leonard 1 1914
Red Sox 2.73 .94 .468 224.67
(198.67)		 94-
34		 19
(15)		 5
(5)		 .96
(1.58)		 .755 2.63 89 .597 2.17 198 4.80 143.5
82 Rube Waddell 1905
Athletics 2.65 1.02 .475 328.67
(306)		 135-
87		 27
(19)		 10
(10)		 1.48
(1.43)		 .789 3.01 30 .582 1.79 486 4.80 258.0
83 Justin Verlander 2022
Astros 3.88 .98 .507 175.00
(175)		 89-
43		 18
(18)		 4
(4)		 1.75
(1.97)		 .728 2.33 167 .610 2.47 93 4.80 130.0
84 Mordecai Brown 1908
Cubs 2.35 1.06 .526 312.33
(279)		 109-
59		 29
(23)		 9
(8)		 1.47
(1.66)		 .692 1.92 382 .626 2.87 28 4.79 205.0
85 Smokey Joe Wood 1912
Red Sox 3.34 1.01 .478 344.00
(334.33)		 213-
98		 34
(33)		 5
(5)		 1.91
(2.31)		 .667 1.65 638 .637 3.13 8 4.79 323.0
86 Wilbur Wood 1971
White Sox 3.47 .96 .539 334.00
(332)		 137-
91		 22
(22)		 13
(13)		 1.91
(2.04)		 .758 2.66 80 .595 2.12 220 4.79 150.0
87 Orval Overall 1909
Cubs 2.59 .91 .530 285.00
(288)		 116-
70		 20
(19)		 11
(11)		 1.42
(1.48)		 .764 2.73 67 .592 2.04 260 4.78 163.5
88 Tarik Skubal 2024
Tigers 4.01 1.01 .498 192.00
(192)		 134-
56		 18
(18)		 4
(4)		 2.39
(2.36)		 .742 2.49 116 .602 2.28 156 4.77 136.0
89 Mike Garcia 1949
Indians 4.20 .96 .545 175.67
(137)		 59-
38		 14
(11)		 5
(4)		 2.36
(2.40)		 .754 2.62 91 .597 2.15 207 4.77 149.0
90 Dazzy Vance 1924
Dodgers 3.87 .98 .488 308.33
(304)		 160-
87		 28
(27)		 6
(6)		 2.16
(2.65)		 .693 1.94 365 .623 2.81 37 4.75 201.0

Top 150 Starting Pitcher Seasons, 1890-2024*. Min. ~4.40 StDevs over Avg.

Rank Pitcher Year Team(s) LG
ERA		 DEF/
PFOPP		 OPP
WL		 IP
(as starter)		 Runs For-
Agst		 Won
(as starter)		 Lost
(as starter)		 ERA
(Adj. ERA)		 ERA Score # STDEV over Avg. ERA Rank (of 11,899) W-L Score # STDEV over Avg. W-L Rank (of 11,899) Total (ERA+
W-L STDEV)		 Avg. Rank)
91 Christy Mathewson 1911
Giants 3.39 .96 .495 307.00
(333)		 185-
113		 26
(24)		 13
(13)		 1.99
(1.91)		 .769 2.78 58 .589 1.96 315 4.74 186.5
92 Tom Seaver 1973
Mets 3.67 1.01 .502 290.00
(290)		 129-
74		 19
(19)		 10
(10)		 2.08
(2.31)		 .730 2.35 159 .606 2.38 115 4.73 137.0
93 Lefty Gomez 1934
Yankees 4.40 .90 .452 281.67
(275.33)		 184-
81		 26
(25)		 5
(3)		 2.33
(2.99)		 .705 2.07 280 .617 2.65 53 4.73 166.5
94 Amos Rusie 1894
Giants 5.33 .91 .500 444.00
(450)		 322-
239		 36
(34)		 13
(12)		 2.78
(3.63)		 .711 2.14 244 .614 2.59 67 4.73 155.5
95 Blake Snell 2023
Padres 4.38 .99 .461 180.00
(180)		 92-
47		 14
(14)		 9
(9)		 2.25
(2.35)		 .776 2.86 51 .585 1.86 388 4.73 219.5
96 Dazzy Vance 1928
Dodgers 3.98 .95 .490 280.33
(274.67)		 122-
78		 22
(21)		 10
(9)		 2.09
(2.48)		 .732 2.37 149 .605 2.35 125 4.71 137.0
97 Gaylord Perry 1972
Indians 3.07 1.08 .552 342.67
(341.66)		 114-
77		 24
(24)		 16
(16)		 1.92
(2.09)		 .699 2.01 329 .619 2.71 49 4.71 189.0
98 Jake Peavy 2004
Padres 4.31 .94 .537 166.33
(166.33)		 119-
48		 15
(15)		 6
(6)		 2.27
(2.42)		 .759 2.67 78 .592 2.04 263 4.71 170.5
99 Walter Johnson 1919
Senators 3.21 .96 .461 290.33
(269.33)		 106-
65		 20
(18)		 14
(10)		 1.49
(1.85)		 .764 2.73 68 .589 1.98 303 4.71 185.5
100 Tim Lincecum 2009
Giants 4.19 1.04 .523 225.33
(225.33)		 115-
68		 15
(15)		 7
(7)		 2.48
(2.40)		 .757 2.66 82 .591 2.03 267 4.68 174.5

Top 150 Starting Pitcher Seasons, 1890-2024*. Min. ~4.40 StDevs over Avg.

Rank Pitcher Year Team(s) LG
ERA		 DEF/
PFOPP		 OPP
WL		 IP
(as starter)		 Runs For-
Agst		 Won
(as starter)		 Lost
(as starter)		 ERA
(Adj. ERA)		 ERA Score # STDEV over Avg. ERA Rank (of 11,899) W-L Score # STDEV over Avg. W-L Rank (of 11,899) Total (ERA+
W-L STDEV)		 Avg. Rank)
101 Cy Young 1895
Cleveland 4.77 .88 .498 369.67
(360)		 244-
169		 35
(33)		 10
(9)		 3.26
(3.39)		 .688 1.88 418 .623 2.80 39 4.68 228.5
102 Kevin Brown 2000
Dodgers 4.63 .94 .525 230.00
(230)		 127-
74		 13
(13)		 6
(6)		 2.58
(2.58)		 .767 2.76 63 .587 1.91 354 4.67 208.5
103 Corey Kluber 2017
Indians 4.37 .97 .485 203.67
(203.67)		 118-
56		 18
(18)		 4
(4)		 2.25
(2.37)		 .730 2.35 158 .603 2.32 138 4.67 148.0
104 Josh Beckett 2007
Red Sox 4.40 1.11 .522 200.67
(200.67)		 147-
76		 20
(20)		 7
(7)		 3.27
(3.00)		 .725 2.30 177 .605 2.36 122 4.66 149.5
105 Greg Maddux 1998
Braves 4.23 .99 .474 251.00
(251)		 138-
74		 18
(18)		 9
(9)		 2.22
(2.41)		 .758 2.66 81 .590 2.00 284 4.66 182.5
106 Billy Rhines 1890
Reds 3.56 1.01 .569 401.33
(405)		 211-
161		 28
(26)		 17
(16)		 1.95
(2.40)		 .713 2.16 231 .610 2.48 92 4.64 161.5
107 Roy Halladay 2010
Phillies 4.02 1.01 .501 250.67
(243.67)		 129-
73		 21
(21)		 10
(10)		 2.44
(2.45)		 .734 2.40 139 .600 2.24 174 4.64 156.5
108 Rube Waddell 1902
Athletics 3.57 1.00 .527 276.33
(243)		 131-
91		 24
(19)		 7
(7)		 2.05
(2.17)		 .744 2.51 112 .595 2.12 217 4.64 164.5
109 Kid Nichols 1897
Braves 4.30 .99 .525 368.00
(360)		 286-
155		 31
(29)		 11
(10)		 2.64
(2.96)		 .700 2.02 320 .615 2.61 63 4.63 191.5
110 Randy Johnson 1997
Mariners 4.56 .99 .480 213.00
(211)		 113-
60		 20
(19)		 4
(4)		 2.28
(2.76)		 .713 2.16 232 .609 2.46 96 4.62 164.0

Top 150 Starting Pitcher Seasons, 1890-2024*. Min. ~4.40 StDevs over Avg.

Rank Pitcher Year Team(s) LG
ERA		 DEF/
PFOPP		 OPP
WL		 IP
(as starter)		 Runs For-
Agst		 Won
(as starter)		 Lost
(as starter)		 ERA
(Adj. ERA)		 ERA Score # STDEV over Avg. ERA Rank (of 11,899) W-L Score # STDEV over Avg. W-L Rank (of 11,899) Total (ERA+
W-L STDEV)		 Avg. Rank)
111 Clark Griffith 1898
Cubs 3.60 .97 .555 325.67
(342)		 207-
113		 24
(23)		 10
(9)		 1.88
(2.39)		 .709 2.12 254 .611 2.50 90 4.62 172.0
112 Roy Halladay 2009
Blue Jays 4.45 .99 .552 239.00
(239)		 150-
82		 17
(17)		 10
(10)		 2.79
(2.57)		 .755 2.63 88 .590 1.98 301 4.61 194.5
113 Trevor Bauer 2018
Indians 4.27 1.02 .485 175.33
(171.33)		 97-
50		 12
(12)		 6
(6)		 2.21
(2.15)		 .781 2.92 41 .578 1.69 607 4.61 324.0
114 Stephen Strasburg 2017
Nationals 4.34 1.01 .468 175.33
(175.34)		 98-
54		 15
(15)		 4
(4)		 2.52
(2.68)		 .751 2.59 98 .591 2.01 275 4.60 186.5
115 Lefty Grove 1939
Red Sox 4.62 1.06 .530 191.00
(191)		 110-
61		 15
(15)		 4
(4)		 2.54
(2.93)		 .717 2.21 214 .606 2.39 111 4.60 162.5
116 Clayton Kershaw 2015
Dodgers 3.91 .97 .518 232.67
(232.66)		 115-
65		 16
(16)		 7
(7)		 2.13
(2.25)		 .752 2.59 97 .590 2.00 285 4.59 191.0
117 Vida Blue 1971
Athletics 3.47 .97 .499 312.00
(312)		 136-
71		 24
(24)		 8
(8)		 1.82
(2.27)		 .695 1.97 351 .615 2.61 62 4.58 206.5
118 Walter Johnson 1911
Senators 3.34 .97 .506 322.33
(333)		 178-
123		 25
(24)		 13
(12)		 1.90
(1.93)		 .765 2.74 66 .583 1.83 432 4.57 249.0
119 Robin Roberts 1952
Phillies 3.73 1.00 .498 330.00
(327)		 182-
104		 28
(28)		 7
(7)		 2.59
(2.54)		 .698 2.00 333 .613 2.56 73 4.55 203.0
120 Randy Johnson 2004
Diamondbacks 4.31 1.06 .537 245.67
(245.67)		 109-
87		 16
(16)		 14
(14)		 2.60
(2.33)		 .780 2.91 47 .575 1.64 680 4.55 363.5

Top 150 Starting Pitcher Seasons, 1890-2024*. Min. ~4.40 StDevs over Avg.

Rank Pitcher Year Team(s) LG
ERA		 DEF/
PFOPP		 OPP
WL		 IP
(as starter)		 Runs For-
Agst		 Won
(as starter)		 Lost
(as starter)		 ERA
(Adj. ERA)		 ERA Score # STDEV over Avg. ERA Rank (of 11,899) W-L Score # STDEV over Avg. W-L Rank (of 11,899) Total (ERA+
W-L STDEV)		 Avg. Rank)
121 Juan Marichal 1969
Giants 3.60 .98 .525 299.67
(298.67)		 117-
88		 21
(21)		 11
(11)		 2.10
(2.19)		 .742 2.48 118 .593 2.06 254 4.55 186.0
122 Ewell Blackwell 1947
Reds 4.07 .90 .555 273.00
(273)		 137-
90		 22
(22)		 8
(8)		 2.47
(2.61)		 .718 2.22 204 .603 2.31 143 4.54 173.5
123 Lefty Grove 1932
Athletics 4.48 1.14 .479 291.67
(258)		 182-
91		 25
(22)		 10
(8)		 2.84
(2.94)		 .711 2.14 242 .606 2.39 114 4.53 178.0
124 Noah Syndergaard 2016
Mets 4.16 .99 .482 183.67
(182.66)		 97-
59		 14
(14)		 9
(9)		 2.60
(2.27)		 .783 2.94 40 .573 1.59 739 4.52 389.5
125 Steve Carlton 1980
Phillies 3.60 1.08 .486 304.00
(304)		 156-
87		 24
(24)		 9
(9)		 2.34
(2.39)		 .705 2.07 281 .609 2.45 97 4.52 189.0
126 Josh Johnson 2010
Marlins 4.02 1.03 .505 183.67
(183.66)		 100-
53		 11
(11)		 6
(6)		 2.30
(2.17)		 .774 2.84 53 .577 1.67 623 4.51 338.0
127 Kid Nichols 1898
Braves 3.60 1.04 .521 388.00
(387)		 236-
138		 31
(29)		 12
(11)		 2.13
(2.55)		 .685 1.85 442 .617 2.65 56 4.40 249.0
128 Shohei Ohtani 2022
Angels 3.88 1.05 .538 166.00
(166)		 79-
45		 15
(15)		 9
(9)		 2.33
(2.34)		 .732 2.37 147 .595 2.11 229 4.48 188.0
129 Grover Alexander 1917
Phillies 2.70 1.06 .494 388.00
(386)		 164-
108		 30
(30)		 13
(13)		 1.83
(1.81)		 .711 2.14 245 .604 2.34 128 4.48 186.5
130 Christy Mathewson 1912
Giants 3.40 1.00 .484 310.00
(288.33)		 178-
101		 23
(21)		 12
(10)		 2.12
(2.11)		 .752 2.59 95 .585 1.88 378 4.47 236.5

Top 150 Starting Pitcher Seasons, 1890-2024*. Min. ~4.40 StDevs over Avg.

Rank Pitcher Year Team(s) LG
ERA		 DEF/
PFOPP		 OPP
WL		 IP
(as starter)		 Runs For-
Agst		 Won
(as starter)		 Lost
(as starter)		 ERA
(Adj. ERA)		 ERA Score # STDEV over Avg. ERA Rank (of 11,899) W-L Score # STDEV over Avg. W-L Rank (of 11,899) Total (ERA+
W-L STDEV)		 Avg. Rank)
131 Roger Clemens 1986
Red Sox 4.18 .98 .506 254.00
(254)		 178-
76		 24
(24)		 4
(4)		 2.48
(2.83)		 .672 1.70 574 .622 2.76 43 4.47 308.5
132 Mel Parnell 1949
Red Sox 4.20 1.04 .539 295.33
(285.67)		 190-
94		 25
(24)		 7
(6)		 2.77
(2.99)		 .676 1.75 523 .620 2.71 47 4.46 285.0
133 Roy Halladay 2002
Blue Jays 4.46 1.00 .504 239.33
(239.33)		 158-
93		 19
(19)		 7
(7)		 2.93
(2.59)		 .753 2.61 93 .584 1.85 403 4.46 248.0
134 Jim Palmer 1975
Orioles 3.79 .89 .485 323.00
(322.34)		 146-
83		 23
(23)		 11
(11)		 2.09
(2.48)		 .714 2.17 228 .602 2.29 153 4.46 190.5
135 Johan Santana 2006
Twins 4.56 .99 .505 233.67
(233.67)		 131-
80		 19
(19)		 6
(6)		 2.77
(2.92)		 .717 2.21 215 .601 2.25 169 4.46 192.0
136 Mike Scott 1986
Astros 3.72 1.02 .478 275.33
(275.33)		 120-
78		 18
(18)		 10
(10)		 2.22
(2.38)		 .737 2.42 131 .592 2.03 265 4.46 198.0
137 Mordecai Brown 1907
Cubs 2.46 1.00 .523 233.00
(243)		 116-
52		 20
(17)		 6
(6)		 1.39
(1.65)		 .710 2.13 252 .604 2.32 135 4.45 193.5
138 Kyle Hendricks 2016
Cubs 4.16 .93 .510 190.00
(188)		 110-
54		 16
(16)		 8
(8)		 2.13
(2.56)		 .744 2.51 113 .587 1.91 357 4.41 235.0
139 Grover Alexander 1916
Phillies 2.61 .92 .429 389.00
(388.33)		 152-
90		 33
(33)		 12
(12)		 1.55
(1.78)		 .701 2.03 306 .606 2.38 117 4.41 211.5
140 David Price 2012
Rays 4.08 .98 .547 211.00
(211)		 126-
62		 20
(20)		 5
(5)		 2.56
(2.79)		 .685 1.85 439 .613 2.56 72 4.41 255.5

Top 150 Starting Pitcher Seasons, 1890-2024*. Min. ~4.40 StDevs over Avg.

Rank Pitcher Year Team(s) LG
ERA		 DEF/
PFOPP		 OPP
WL		 IP
(as starter)		 Runs For-
Agst		 Won
(as starter)		 Lost
(as starter)		 ERA
(Adj. ERA)		 ERA Score # STDEV over Avg. ERA Rank (of 11,899) W-L Score # STDEV over Avg. W-L Rank (of 11,899) Total (ERA+
W-L STDEV)		 Avg. Rank)
141 Roger Clemens 2005
Astros 4.22 .97 .515 211.33
(211.34)		 84-
51		 13
(13)		 8
(8)		 1.87
(2.31)		 .736 2.42 132 .590 2.00 286 4.41 209.0
142 Whitey Ford 1964
Yankees 3.63 .98 .510 244.67
(241.66)		 109-
67		 17
(17)		 6
(6)		 2.13
(2.11)		 .728 2.33 164 .593 2.07 251 4.40 207.5
143 Jacob deGrom 2019
Mets 4.38 .92 .511 204.00
(204)		 92-
60		 11
(11)		 8
(8)		 2.43
(2.43)		 .767 2.77 62 .575 1.63 681 4.40 371.5
144 Randy Johnson 1999
Diamondbacks 4.57 .96 .503 271.67
(271.67)		 155-
87		 17
(17)		 9
(9)		 2.63
(2.64)		 .737 2.43 129 .589 1.96 309 4.40 219.0
145 Dontrelle Willis 2005
Marlins 4.22 .94 .516 236.33
(236.33)		 128-
74		 22
(22)		 10
(10)		 2.06
(2.67)		 .721 2.25 194 .597 2.15 208 4.40 201.0
146 Allie Reynolds 1952
Yankees 3.67 .95 .491 244.33
(235)		 115-
71		 20
(20)		 8
(8)		 2.56
(2.28)		 .733 2.39 144 .591 2.01 277 4.40 210.5
147 Kevin Appier 1993
Royals 4.32 1.06 .516 238.67
(238.67)		 119-
78		 18
(18)		 8
(8)		 1.83
(2.72)		 .722 2.27 187 .595 2.12 216 4.39 201.5
148 Clayton Kershaw 2013
Dodgers 3.73 .94 .485 236.00
(236)		 108-
56		 16
(16)		 9
(9)		 2.53
(2.13)		 .742 2.48 117 .587 1.91 356 4.39 236.5
149 Max Scherzer 2018
Nationals 4.02 1.06 .518 220.67
(220.67)		 139-
65		 18
(18)		 7
(7)		 2.72
(2.58)		 .713 2.16 230 .600 2.23 183 4.39 206.5
150 Greg Maddux 1996
Braves 4.21 1.02 .505 245.00
(245)		 111-
85		 15
(15)		 11
(11)		 .00
(2.48)		 .760 2.69 74 .578 1.69 609 4.38 341.5


The 2020 season is an official season of Major League Baseball. In other cases of short seasons (1890s, 1918-19, 1981 and 1994), significantly fewer games than the long time norms of 154 or 162 were played for various reasons. Those seasons were all treated as 'full' in this analysis because the effects of skewing was minimal.

However, 2020 saw teams play ~45% fewer games, on average, than the next shortest season that is treated as a full season. This made it highly succeptible to the effects of skewing. Further, a minimum of 15 starts is one of the qualifications in this study. No starter in 2020 had 15 starts. For these reasons, 2020 seasons cannot be included among all other seasons, although several starters (including Shane Bieber, Trevor Bauer, and Yu Darvish) did quite well, relatively speaking. But, the scores for qualifying starters will still be used as part of each starter's career assessment since the season schedule was designed to be short and was played in its entirety.