Why can't a starting pitcher keep the win, if they leave before 5 innings, but the team is still winning? I just don't get that!
208144
Because if he is good enough, he should be able to last 5 innings.\n\nIn the situation you described, the MLB guys will pick one pitcher that has the best persormance to give him the win.  It's usually middle reliver, but it can still be the starting pitcher.
559645
If listed as 7:05, the game should start at that time. However, it rarely does. Usually it starts at 7:08 or so. The official start time is when the pitcher releases the first true pitch to a batter. Of course if the game is on fox that could be around 7:40.  :-P
300933
Pitching is why the Cubs are losing. They have plenty of offense and play in an offensive haven called Wrigly field. Look at the scores of the last few days. 10-3 9-5 and 4-3, the only close game was teh 4-3. It was also the only game when the Cub's pitchers didn't get bombed. These losses were to the Padres and Giants, these are not exactly offensive powerhouse teams. \n\nMaddux is 5-3 with a good ERA. Thats one good pitcher. Looks like Zambrino has been ripped off by the relief staff, 1-2 with a 3.88 ERA means he lost a few Wins because of relief. The rest of the staff is stinking up the rotation or is batting practice for other teams. Teams win and lose by pitching. \n\nAs for Derek Lee he's not even having a great year. .318 with 3 HRs and 10 RBI aint much. It's true the Cubs are hurting for offense. When Todd Walker is playing first base you know they need some more hitting. All the hitting in the world doesn't make up for bad pitching as the Rangers have proven season after season.
195584
That is why. Everyone thinks that baseball pitchers can't hit and that is not always true. I can't think of their names right now but I know that there are quite a few pitchers who can hit a baseball and some who have hit home runs. A few have even hit game winning home runs in the past. I think we need to give the pitchers a little more credit when it comes to hitting a baseball.
81088
The umpire is wrong.  The runner on third base will return to the bag. The runner from 2nd was called out. The hitter is credited with a base hit, and he is safe at first.\nPlay stops.  2 outs, 2 on base, next hitter please.
190845
just like real baseball, people think if they dont get caught, they would like to win at all costs. They want to compete ... just with an advantage.
615697
lol jeez I'm thinking not, sorry :(\n\n\nHeck the royals were about to break a major league record of loosing up until just the other day.  I don't think they have the talent or stamina to win.
624658
Go with your best stuff.  Blow them away.  Roger Clements or Greg Maddux didn't mess around they went right after the hitter.  \n\nHow many times have you seen a pitcher get to 0-2 then find themselves with pitch count issues a few innings later....
600393
Win: The pitcher who last pitched when his team took the lead. Say it's the 8th inning and the game is tied 0-0. The home team's starting pitcher pitches the top half of the inning and doesn't give up a run. The home team then scores 2 runs in the bottom half, and the closer is brought in to pitch the ninth. Because the starting pitcher was still the pitcher of record (last to pitch) when his team went ahead, he gets the win. \nThere are some stipulations, such as a starting pitcher cannot get the win if he pitches less than 5 innings, but that's the general gist of it.\n\nSave: The pitcher who ends a game with a win for his team, provided..\n1. The pitcher is the last pitcher in a game won by his team; \n2. The pitcher is not the winning pitcher (for instance, if a starting pitcher throws a complete game win or, alternatively, if the pitcher gets a blown save and then his team scores a winning run while he is the pitcher of record, sometimes known as a "vulture win"); \n3. The pitcher fulfills at least one of the following three conditions: \nHe comes into the game with a lead of no more than three runs, and pitches at least one full inning. \nHe comes into the game with the potential tying run being either on base, at bat, or on deck. \nHe pitches at least 3 innings after entering the game with a lead and finishes the game.
175566
pitchers usally focus on more talents then on what they are not so good at. pitchers spend most of their times working on controling the ball and their strength when they throw teh ball. tehy dont have the time to work on hitting. also, they rarely have to bat. also, players that are in teh AL are not a good hitter than players from NL because of the DH rule. But when they have to bat, they wont really do anything. They'll probably strike out or ground out. there are some exceptions, but there are rarely any pitchers that can hit
297006
No punishment... pitcher can put the ball anywhere he wants, at any time. Starting to intentionally walk a batter, and then deciding to pitch to him makes no sense since you would be down in the count... now, maybe start pitching to the guy, get to an 2-0 count, you could decide to throw the next intentional balls to walk him. But there is no punishment.
127397
No, do not tamper with the rules of baseball!  If they emulated the new hockey rules, we could see a situation like if a game were tied at the end of nine innings, they'd have three extra innings, then, if it were still tied, a homerun derby to determine the winner of the game!  (just like the new shootout after a five-minute overtime in hockey).  NO WAY!
569098
it doesnt matter what inning it is.  you have an undefined percentage of scoring in any inning against any team and any pitcher.  and just because the yankees scored 3 in the first once doesnt mean anything.  whoever said that should stay out of these forums cause you dont know anything.
528806
I absolutely understand where you are going with this question and I agree in part with what you are saying.  Koufax had a 12 year career.  The first 6 years were under .500 with an era well over 4 runs a game.  By todays standards that's actually okay.  Back in the 50's and 60's you were basically on your way out!!  Somewhere during the off season between 1960 and 1961 something happened.  What that was, who can tell.  It's like a light went off in his head and he suddenly learned how to pitch.  There is no denying the second half of his career but as you said many other pitchers have won more games.  I can give you a list of pitchers with close to 300 wins that are not in the HOF.  Baseball has many issues starting with Bonds right on down to a terrible playoff system.  The powers to be really need to sit down and take a long hard look at their position on matters that really count.  As for Koufax, we all know about his medical problems when he left the game.  That may have helped him more than anything else.  He was a very good pitcher who just happened to have 4 HOF seasons and then walked away from the game.  I'd say based on what we've seen over the past 20 years, yes, why not.  After all lesser players are in the HOF
212338
There is something a little bit precarious about pitching from a mound...Stepping forward and down at the batter in the midst of a aggressive pitching motion while wearing cleats.  The throwing mechanics of the pitching motion can mostly be duplicated on flat grounf and allow the recovering pitcher to keep his arm lively while not risking any sort of slip from the pitching rubber.  I liken it to a flight simulator training for pilots before going up in the actual plane.
190958
Well, there's 162 games in a season and your team looks stacked to me.  Delgado is warming up, Pudge started out well, Sheffield always takes a little time, Manny is getting hot....Pitching looks well rounded.  I would let it ride to be honest.  You'll win soon and I don't think you'll stop.
660036
hitting for the cycle...in fact it happened last night for a player on the mets and Billy Wagner blew the save...that loss also broke a 25 straight win streak for  others who hit for the cycle and their teams won...84% of the time when you hit for the cycle...your team will win...oh well