CHIPS and DIPS

By Brett Greenfield: 

DIPS, or Defense Independent Pitching Statistics, is one of the most accurate statistics that can be used to determine how well a pitcher has pitched, independent from his defense behind him. After all, most of a pitcher's ERA is determined by his walk rate, strikeout rate, and ability to prevent homeruns.

So, what kind of plays involve a defense in the first place?

1. Any ground ball in play. 2. Any fly ball that is not a homerun.

So then, what does DIPS look at? The four statistics that are controlled entirely by a pitcher, even if there was not one fielder behind him. And they are:

1. Homeruns

2. Strikeouts

3. Walks

4. Hit batters.

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