About a week ago, when John Kruk said that Geovany Soto was easily the Rookie of the Year in the National League, he clearly didn't do his homework. Whether the snub was intentional or not, Jair Jurrjens and the Braves should feel disrespected about not even being part of the conversation.
After Tuesday night's loss against the Mets put Jurrjens' record at 11-9 with a 3.28 ERA, I took a closer look at the 22-year-old's performances this season and wondered why, with that ERA, his record isn't better.
First, I remembered that he's playing on a team that's faded (putting it lightly). Second, he's now the ace of the staff, since Hudson, Smoltz, and Glavine have been lost for the season.
The Mets' Mike Pelfrey pitched well tonight and got the win, but to be honest, he's been very inconsistent. He's been great at times and absolutely awful at others.
Thanks to a lack of run support, shoddy defense behind him, and scorekeepers' rulings, Jurrjens has endured quite a run of tough luck in his first full season in the majors.
Tonight's scorekeeper at Shea Stadium really should lose his job for giving Fernando Tatis a single on an 80-foot groundball that Chipper Jones bounced to first baseman Greg Norton. A single, really? Even the Mets' analyst, Keith Hernandez, wished he got such gifts in his day. Jones' throw was poor, but Teixeira or Kotchman probably makes that play, and Tatis is out by a full stride. Instead of Jurrjens giving up five runs, the Braves would have been out of the inning down only 2-0.
Anyways, let's look at Jurrjens' lines from his nine losses this year, as well as a couple of key no-decisions:
1) April 8 @ Colorado (L). 4 ER, 9 H, 3 K, and 2 BB in 7.0 innings. 98 pitches.
Braves lose 4-3.
2) April 15 @ Florida (L). 2 ER, 4 H, 5 K, and 3 BB in 6.0 innings. 101 pitches.
Braves lose 4-0.
3) April 30 @ Washington (ND). 1 ER, 2 H, 3 K, in 7.0 innings. 84 pitches
Braves lose 3-2 in 12 innings.
4) May 12 @ Pittsburgh (L). 3 ER, 3 H, 5 K, and 3 BB in 5.0 innings. 69 pitches.
Braves lose 5-0.
5) May 16 vs Oakland (ND). 2 runs (0 ER), 8 H, 3 K, and 3 BB in 5.0 innings. 101 pitches.
Braves win 3-2.
6) June 21 vs Seattle (ND). 3 runs (0 ER), 3 H, 4 K and 2 BB in 6.0 innings. 99 pitches.
Braves win 5-4.
7) July 3 vs Philadelphia. (L). 4 ER, 8 H, 6 K, and 1 BB in 7.0 innings. 120 pitches.
Braves lose 4-1.
8) July 19 vs Washington (L). 5 ER, 8 H, 5 K, and 1 BB in 6.1 innings. 98 pitches.
Braves lose 8-2.
9) July 30 vs St. Louis (L). 3 ER, 7 H, 4 K, and 3 BB in 7.0 innings. 116 pitches.
Braves lose 7-2.
10) August 4 @ San Francisco (L). 4 runs (3 ER), 9 H, 1 K, and 3 BB in 6.0 innings. 107 pitches.
Braves lose 4-2.
11) August 15 vs San Francisco (L). 2 ER, 8 H, 9 K, in 7.0 innings. 104 pitches.
Braves lose 5-1.
12) August 20 @ NY Mets (L). Actual line 6 R, 4 ER, 6 H, 3 BB in 5.0 innings. 88 pitches.
Scorekeeper mistake should reduce ER and hits by one each.
Braves lose 6-3.
Only one of Jurrjens' 11 wins came when he gave up more than four ER (June 5 against Florida in a 7-5 win), so it can't be argued that he gotten bailed out a lot by his offense and earned a win he didn't really deserve.
4 comments Last one added 10 months ago — Leave a Comment
Bob Warja 10 months ago
A pitchers W-L record means nothing. As you've noted, it all coems down to run support. So your eally need to look at ERA, WHIP, etc. And perhaps Kruk only saw 11-9 and wasn't overly impressed. Having said that, I agree that Soto should win ROY. He plays a tough, important position - his numbers are good, but it's a position that hinders offensive produciton because of all the abuse catchers take behind the plate. Also, he has shown strong leadership and calls a great game.
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Nino Colla 10 months ago
This has been one player that has gone under the radar most of the season. He's pitched well and don't forget the Braves gave up an aging shortstop for him. I bet the Tigers are kicking themselves today.
Soto will probably win but it is far from a landslide. Jurrjens needs some consideration.
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GoBears 2008 10 months ago
As a Giants fan, I definitely know what you're talking about. Tim Lincecum is 1st in the NL in ERA and K's, but is only 6th in wins and will probably not win the Cy Young because of games like this:
@COL L 1-0 7.0 IP 6 Hits 0 ER 3 BB 9 K No Decision
or
@SD W 3-2 7.0 IP 3 Hits 1 ER 3 BB 11 K No Decision
Jurrjens is definitely a good pitcher as well, he just needs some time to win the close ones. Lincecum didn't in his first season.
Good article, it's very frustrating when your team's offense is not producing.
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Paul Boye 10 months ago
Lincecum will probably not win the CY because of Brandon Webb, not necessarily the Giants' offense.
Anyway, while Jurrjens probably won't win because most of the BBWAA is ignorant and oblivious, it'll be comforting to me if he gets a decent share in voting.
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