Credit Where it's Due...

Major League Baseball
My apologies for my long absence.


I suppose that's what working on a Master's Thesis does to a person. But now that that terrible chore is complete, it's time to return to the blog.


As I return to the blog I have an observation. It's an observation on the curse of playing in a small market. Well, "curse" might be a strong word. For one fan base the curse is quite a blessing.


Last night the Philadelphia Phillies played the Washington Nationals with Cole Hamels on the hill for Philadelphia. 

Cole Hamels has been great for
the Phillies despite the team
being in last place

Plenty of attention was paid to the game because of the possibility of repercussions from the Hamels vs. Harper incident from a few weeks ago. Anyone who tuned in for a chance at repercussions instead was treated to a terrific pitching display. Hamels was great. He went eight innings, gave up four hits, zero runs, walked three and struck out eight.


An accumulation of outings like this has garnered a lot of attention for Cole Hamels and he has the numbers to back it up. Today ESPN radio was referring to Hamels as one of, if not the, best pitcher in MLB right now. 


This is what happens when you play in a small market. If Hamels is the best pitcher in MLB, let's take a look at his numbers against another pitcher's in a blind resume.


Pitcher A: 62.1 IP, 2.17 ERA, 50 H, 15 ER, 13 BB, 66 SO, 1.01 WHIP, 7-1 record.
Pitcher B: 59.1 IP, 1.97 ERA, 55 H, 13 ER, 12 BB, 38 SO, 1.13 WHIP, 5-1 record.


Can you guess which pitcher is Cole Hamels? Which pitcher is the best pitcher going in MLB? Maybe you can't really tell the difference. Maybe that's my point.


Pitcher A is Cole Hamels, Pitcher B is Cincinnati Reds ace Johnny Cueto.


When I heard Hamels referred to as "the best pitcher in MLB" I, as a true homer, thought, "Hey! Cueto is better than Hamels!" Well, turns out I was close to right. In fact I've found the two are basically indistinguishable. There are so factors that make Hamels appear to be superior. Specifically its his nearly double number of strikeouts with 66 versus Cueto's 38. Plus, Cueto's last two outings have been his worst of the young season whilst Hamels pitched a gem last night (he did give up six hits and three runs against Boston on Friday in a Phillies win). 

As is true of all small market fans,
Reds fans should be happy Cueto's
numbers have not attracted more attention

The major point is, this is a bigger commentary on what it means to play in a small market. I've already admitted to being a Reds homer, but I'd go so far as to say that Cueto was the most underrated pitcher in MLB last season. With Hamels and Cueto more or less indistinguishable on the stat line Hamels is the best pitcher in MLB and Cueto is only known to Reds fans and fantasy baseball players. However, those who would call themselves Reds fans should consider Cueto's no-credit curse as a true blessing. With the big teams, specifically the Yankees and Red Sox struggling, it's good that Cueto has a small market blanket covering his ace stuff. 


The point for Reds fans is that as they've been clamoring for a true Ace for the past three or four seasons is that one may finally appearing right before their eyes.


More to Come,
XoXo
-Joshua