Giants or Phillies: Who Has the Better Pitching? A Stat-by-Stat Comparison

Phillies shortstop Jimmy Rollins apparently took umbrage when he overheard a reporter mention that Philadelphia's pitching might match up with San Francisco's this season.

"The Giants' pitching staff might match up with ours," he said.

So whose pitching is better?

That has been the subject of a great many debates among baseball fans, particularly those loyal to one of these two clubs.

Let's take a look at the stats, shall we?

Earned Run Average

The Phillies lead the National League, and the majors, in team ERA at 3.06.

The Giants staff is right behind them, second in both the NL and the majors at 3.18.

Edge: Phillies

Opponents' Batting Average

The Giants lead the NL and the majors in opponents' batting average at .230.

The Phillies are third in the National League with a .237 mark.

Edge: Giants

Quality Starts

The Phillies lead the majors in quality starts with 76.

The Giants are right behind them with 75.

Edge: Phillies

Strikeouts

The Giants lead the big leagues in punch-outs with 941.

The Phillies are fourth in that category with 879.

Edge: Giants

Complete Games

This one's not even close.

The Phillies have tossed an incredible 14 complete games, leading the major leagues in that department by far (the next closest team in that category is the Los Angeles Angels with 10).

The Giants have just three.

Edge: Phillies

Saves

The Giants lead the majors in saves with 41.

The Phillies are seventh in the NL with 33.

Edge: Giants

Shutouts

The Phillies run away with this category with 15 shutouts to lead the majors.

The Giants are seventh in the NL with eight.

Edge: Phillies

Home Runs Allowed

The Giants lead the majors in this category, having given up just 71 homers.

The Phillies have given up 80.

Edge: Giants

Walks

The Phillies lead the majors with the fewest walks allowed, having issued just 277 free passes.

In contrast, the Giants have yielded the fourth-most walks with 389.

Edge: Phillies

WHIP

The Phillies, as they are accustomed to, lead the majors in WHIP at 1.16.

The Giants are third at 1.22.

Edge: Phillies

Bullpen

By reliever, by the numbers:

Phillies

David Herndon: 0-2, 4.21 ERA, 1.32 WHIP, 23 K in 36.1 innings pitched

Michael Stutes: 5-1, 3.02 ERA, 1.15 WHIP, 40 K in 41.2 innings pitched

Scott Mathieson: 0-0, 0.00 ERA, 2.40 WHIP, 5K in five innings pitched

Brad Lidge: 0-0, 1.93 ERA, 1.07 WHIP, 5 K in 4.2 innings pitched

Antonio Bastardo: 5-0, 1.49 ERA, 0.80 WHIP, 50 K in 42.1 innings pitched

Ryan Madson: 3-1, 1.86 ERA, 1.09 WHIP, 42 K in 38.2 innings pitched, 19 saves

Giants

Ramon Ramirez: 2-1, 2.91 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, 42 K in 46.1 innings pitched

Javier Lopez: 5-1, 2.49 ERA, 1.25 WHIP, 34 K in 43.1 innings pitched

Santiago Casilla: 2-1, 1.88 ERA, 1.26 WHIP, 22 K in 28.2 innings pitched

Sergio Romo: 3-1, 1.72 ERA, 0.63 WHIP, 52 K in 36.2 innings pitched

Jeremy Affeldt: 1-2, 2.86 ERA, 1.13 WHIP, 44 K in 50.1 innings pitched

Brian Wilson: 6-3, 2.77 ERA, 1.40 WHIP, 49 K in 52 innings pitched, 34 saves

Edge: Giants, but not by much.

So Who's Better?

That's a great question, and there's probably no real right answer.

Perhaps the answer will be decided this October.