One Step Closer To Nolan Ryan: A Look at Trevor Cahill's Last 19 Starts

Trevor Cahill has become the ace of the Oakland A's staff. Brett Anderson had the role at the beginning of the year, but because of injuries, Anderson has conceded the role. 

Today, Cahill improved his record to 12-4 today, his ERA is now at 2.56, WHIP .98, and has struck out 76 while walking 41. At 22 years of age, Cahill has blossomed. 

When the season started, it didn't look like Cahill was going to have a shot in the rotation. He started the year off rough against Toronto, but has been tremendous since. So much so Cahill is about to tie Nolan Ryan for most starts going five plus innings with giving up six or less hits. 

Ryan did it 20 consecutive starts and Cahill, after today, is at 19. 

Start No. 2: Beginning of Streak

In Cahill's second start of the season on April 5, he went up against the potent lineup of the Texas Rangers. He recorded his first win of the season with this line: 

Five innings pitched, five hits, one run, zero earned, with four strike outs and three walks, and after that game lowered his ERA to 5.40.

Start No. 3: Another Showing Against Texas

Cahill went a little longer in his third start of the season against the Texas Rangers, this time it was a little different in his May 11 start. Cahill didn't get a win. Instead, he pitched a no-decision.

His line for the game was: 5.2 innings, four hits, two runs, two earned, with one strikeout and two walks, and he lowered his ERA to 4.76.

Start No. 4: The Halos Shot at Cahill

On May 16, Cahill took a loss, but he pitched solidly. His outing again went longer than his previous starts. 

Cahill's line in the loss was: seven innings, five hits, three runs, three earned, two strikeouts and no walks, and his ERA lowered to 4.37.

Start No. 5: The Battle of the Bay

Cahill took a shot in his fifth start against the crosstown San Fracisco Giants on May 21 and he did not disappoint. This solid start gave him his second win of the season. 

For Cahill, he went 6.2 innings, gave up six hits, a run, one earned run, with four strikeouts and a walk, and his ERA again lowered to 3.68.

Start No. 6: Visiting the Birds

In Cahill's sixth start on May 26, he took on the lowly Baltimore Orioles and Cahill had little trouble as he earned his third victory of the season. 

On the night, Cahill went six innings, giving up two hits, one run, one earned run, with three strikeouts and three walks, and this time, lowering his ERA to 3.31.

Start No. 7: Visiting the Tigers

May 31 saw Cahill make his seventh start of the season, this time against the Detroit Tigers, and, again, Cahill was effective, earning his fourth victory of the year over the Tigers. 

He went 6.1 innings, giving up five hits, one run, one earned, with three strikeouts, and four walks, and his ERA lowered to 3.02.

Start No. 8: The Twins Come to Town

The eighth start for Cahill was decent. He took a no decision on June 5 against the Twins.

His line was six innings pitched, five hits, three runs, three earned, with six strikeouts and four walks. With the three runs given up, his ERA rose to 3.21.

Start No. 9: The Angels are Back for More

On what was one of the more impressive starts for Cahill, he took on the Angels again, this time on June 10, and notched his fifth win of the year. 

Cahill went eight innings, giving up five hits, one run, one earned, four strikeouts and a walk, with his ERA now lowering to 2.91.

Start No. 10: A Trip to Wrigley

Cahill's June 15 start against the Cubs wasn't the most impressive start for him, but he came out with his sixth win of the year against the Cubs. 

His line was 5.2 innings, six hits, four runs, four earned, five strikeouts and two walks, and his ERA rose to 3.23.

Start No. 11: Wasted Opportunity Against Cardinals

Cahill pitched a gem against the St. Louis Cardinals on June 20, but all he got for it was a no decision. It may have been the best game Cahill has thrown all year. 

He went six innings, gave up four hits, two runs, two earned, with seven strikeouts, no walks, and lowered his ERA slightly to 3.21.

Start No. 12: Lowly Pirates Come Calling

Cahill followed up his impressive outing on June 26 by earning his seventh win of the season against the Pirates. 

He went 7.2 innings, gave up two hits, struck out 10, walked three, and lowered his ERA to 2.88.

Start No. 13: The Birds Came for More

The Baltimore Orioles came back for more against Cahill and, just like last time, Cahill came up with a victory on July 1. 

He went seven innings, giving up four hits, one run, one earned, four strikeouts and a walk, and lowered his ERA to 2.74.

Start No. 14: Yankees Rock Cahill's World

Cahill finally ran into a difficult matchup on July 6. Cahill faced the Yankees and, although he did give up some runs in the game, he settled down and pitched effectively. It was only one bad inning that got Cahill.

His line on the night, which earned him his third loss of the year, was six innings, four hits, six runs, six earned, four strikeouts and a walk, and his ERA rose to 3.17.

Start No 15: Angels Don't Find the Third Time is a Charm

Cahill had his third shot at the Angels on July 11 and he didn't disappoint, notching his ninth victory of the year just before the All-Star break. 

His line for the night: seven innings, five hits, one run, zero earned, three strikeouts and two walks, and this start lowered his ERA to 2.94.

Start No. 16: Time to Meet the Royals

Kansas City wasn't kind to Cahill in his July 17 start. Much like his start against the Yankees, he had some difficulty. This time, though, it didn't result in a loss, but a no decision. 

Cahill's line on the night: 6.2 innings, five hits, five runs, five earned, three strikeouts and four walks, and his ERA rose to 3.19.

Start No. 17: Hottest Team in Baseball—the White Sox

Cahill happened to face the hottest team in baseball on July 23 and he did a great job against the White Sox, but still managed to take his fourth loss of the season. 

He went a total of seven innings, giving up four hits, three runs, two earned, had no strikeouts but walked two, and his ERA dropped to 3.15.

Start No. 18: No Third Times a Charm for the Rangers Either

Much like the Angels, Cahill faced the Rangers for the third time on July 28 and, again, pitched extremely well. This was one of the more impressive efforts for Cahill on the season and he earned his 10th win of the season. 

Cahill went eight innings, gave up two hits, no runs, with four strikeouts and three walks, and lowered his ERA to 2.93.

Start No. 19: Meeting the Royals a Second Time

Cahill, on August 2, faced the Royals. This time, he wasn't rocked by the Royals. In fact, he had his first career shutout against the Royals. This was Cahill's 11th win of the season. 

His line nine innings pitched, three hits, zero runs, four strikeouts and three walks, and his ERA lowering to 2.93.

Start No. 20: Fourth Time Same as the Third for Rangers

For Cahill he just likes pitching against the Rangers. In another impressive outing Cahill notched a victory this earned him 12th win of the season. 

Cahill went eight innings, gave up six hits, two runs, zero earned, struck out three and walked none, and lowered his ERA to 2.56.

Start No. 21: Will He Match Ryan?

In his 21st start of the season, will Cahill match the legendary Ryan with his 20th consecutive game of five innings plus with allowing six or less hits? The answer is yes and even if Cahill doesn't, there's no shame in being second to the "Ryan Express." But, one thing for sure is Cahill and Ryan are polar opposites when it comes to pitching. 

Ryan was known for his fastball and his ability to blow hitters away Cahill is known for his sinker which gives his defense plenty of opportunities in the field.