Mon Feb 11, 2013 8:43 am
The appropriately named Mr Baseball World hits it on the head. I scanned through all of Sabathia's starts going back to 2002 using ESPN's Game Logs.
In 2008, C. C. started Sept 20th, 24th, and 28th on three days rest. He then started the first game of the post season on three days rest (Oct 2). He went 2 - 2 in these four games.
In 2009, C. C. started Nov 1 in the post season on three days rest. No decision as the Yanks scored three in the top of the ninth to go up 3 - 1 on the Phillies after C. C. had been lifted.
In 2011, C. C. started game 1 against Detroit on Sept 29th (post season). The game was called after 1.1 innings and resumed on Sept 30 without C. C. on the mound. C. C. started and lost game 3 on Oct 3rd. C. C. then relieved and lost game 5 on Oct 6.
In my opinion, Sabathia makes my point. Apart from a couple starts in the post season, he's started three games on three days rest (regular season) once in an eleven year career. Last year, C. C. pitched exactly 200 innings on 28 starts. I believe 200 IPs will qualify him for SP*. In how many online SOM leagues will he start 41 games?
I am a Strat loyalist going back to the '75 card set. Rest assured, I will play only Strat no matter how many SP* there are or are not. I don't play rotissarie. If I am not playing Strat, I am not playing.
Nevertheless, SP* does not exist anymore. As I mentioned in my original post, the last starting pitcher with 37 starts was 21 seasons ago. The last pitcher with 36 starts was 9 seasons ago. You have to go back to the late 70s to find guys like Niekro starting 40 or more games. Seaver never started more than 36. Carlton started 41 once, 40 once, 39 once, and 38 twice. Palmer started 40 once, 39 twice, and 38 twice. Drysdale started 40 or more five years in a row. Koufax started 40 three times. Lonborg started 39 twice. Marichal started 40 once and 38 once.
Can you guess my conclusion? No SP* in the modern game. You'll have to play ATG or the 70s game if you want a four man rotation.
Last edited by
Denorien on Tue Feb 12, 2013 12:41 pm, edited 1 time in total.