Can a Starter Get a Win Without Pitching 5 Innings?
Pitching five innings is the benchmark for a starter to get a win in Major League Baseball (MLB). If a starting pitcher leaves the game before completing five innings, the win is typically awarded to the pitcher who is credited with the most effective relief performance. But there are several exceptions to this rule, which is why the answer to the question “Can a starter get a win without pitching 5 innings?” is “Yes, but it depends on the situation”.
Pitching a Quality Start
A quality start is a performance by a starting pitcher who pitches at least six innings and allows three or fewer earned runs. If a pitcher does not pitch five innings, but pitches a quality start, he may still be eligible for a win. This situation is called a “short quality start” and it is up to the discretion of the manager and the official scorer to determine if the pitcher should be awarded the win.
Winning in Extra Innings
If a starting pitcher pitches less than five innings, but the team goes on to win the game in extra innings, the win is typically given to the starter. This is because the starter is credited with “keeping the team in the game” long enough for the team to get the win.
The Pitcher’s Win-Loss Record
The official scorer may also take into consideration the pitcher’s win-loss record when deciding whether or not to award the win. If a pitcher has a good win-loss record and has pitched less than five innings, the official scorer may award the win to the pitcher if the relief performance was not overly impressive.
The Relief Performance
The relief performance is the most important factor in determining whether or not a starting pitcher is awarded a win. If the relief performance is strong and the pitcher has pitched less than five innings, then the relief pitcher may be awarded the win.
The Manager’s Decision
The manager has the final say in awarding the win. The manager will take into consideration all of the factors, such as the relief performance, the starting pitcher’s win-loss record, and the quality of the start, in determining who will be awarded the win.
The Official Scorer’s Decision
The official scorer is responsible for keeping track of all of the statistics in the game and has the final say in awarding the win. The official scorer will take into consideration all of the factors mentioned above in making the decision.
The Rulebook
The official rulebook states that a starting pitcher must pitch at least five innings to be eligible for a win. However, there are exceptions to this rule and the official scorer has the final say in awarding the win.
The Quality of the Start
The quality of the start is also taken into consideration when determining if a starting pitcher should be awarded a win. If the quality of the start is strong, even if the pitcher has not pitched five innings, the official scorer may award the win to the starting pitcher.
The Position of the Team
The position of the team in the standings is also taken into consideration when determining if a starting pitcher should be awarded a win. If the team is in a close playoff race, the official scorer may award the win to the starting pitcher if the relief performance was not overly impressive.
The Impact of the Win
The official scorer may also take into consideration the impact of the win on the team when determining who should be awarded the win. If the win is particularly important for the team’s playoff chances, the official scorer may award the win to the starting pitcher, even if the relief performance was strong.
Conclusion
In conclusion, a starting pitcher can get a win without pitching five innings, but it is up to the discretion of the manager and the official scorer to determine if the pitcher should be awarded the win. Factors such as the relief performance, the quality of the start, the position of the team in the standings, and the impact of the win on the team’s playoff chances are all taken into consideration when making this decision.