AL pitchers vs NL pitchers

[BuccaneerBrad]

Was discussing this while watching the Rays/Yankees game tonight with a buddy.   I'm of the opinion that AL pitchers are better than NL pitchers.   The reason being, they face nine hitters per game whereas the NL pitchers only face eight hitters per game.   My buddy, however, says the numbers don't lie.  I told him there's a reason for that.  When you're facing nine hitters per game as opposed to eight, you're going to give up more hits and have a higher ERA.

Any thoughts on this?

[CF DolFan]

I understand what you are saying but I don't know that it equates to being better. It may be tougher to pitch in the American league but it could be argued it's easier to pitch when you don't have to worry about hitting and running.  In the end I don't think it really matters.

Are American league pitchers better than a Greg Maddux just because they don't pitch against hitters? I dare say no. Nolan Ryan's best ERA was in the National league but then his second best was the American league.  In fact ... 5 out of 7 of his best ERA's were posted against the American league.  Based on this I'd say you are either a good pitcher or you are not ... regardless of the league.

[BuccaneerBrad]

I understand what you are saying but I don't know that it equates to being better. It may be tougher to pitch in the American league but it could be argued it's easier to pitch when you don't have to worry about hitting and running.  In the end I don't think it really matters.

Are American league pitchers better than a Greg Maddux just because they don't pitch against hitters? I dare say no. Nolan Ryan's best ERA was in the National league but then his second best was the American league.  In fact ... 5 out of 7 of his best ERA's were posted against the American league.  Based on this I'd say you are either a good pitcher or you are not ... regardless of the league.

I see your point, but if you wonder why the Giancarlo Stantons see their BA's drop when they come from the NL to the AL, it's because they're facing better pitching.   Same thing for pitchers going from the AL to the NL.   You'll see a lot of their ERA's drop because they only have to worry about eight hitters.

Simple solution is to put the DH in both leagues.   It's better for the game.

[MyGodWearsAHoodie]

National league pitchers are more complete baseball players than American league pitchers. 

[CF DolFan]

National league pitchers are more complete baseball players than American league pitchers. 

*LIKE

[BuccaneerBrad]

National league pitchers are more complete baseball players than American league pitchers. 

*LIKE

Can't be a jack of all trades/master of none in today's MLB.   It's now a game of specialists.   Hell, you even have different types of pitchers.

[MyGodWearsAHoodie]

Can't be a jack of all trades/master of none in today's MLB.   It's now a game of specialists.   Hell, you even have different types of pitchers.

I guess you are not a big fan of Andrew Romine. 

[BuccaneerBrad]

I guess you are not a big fan of Andrew Romine. 

He's the exception, not the rule.   But the fact he played all nine positions on the field in a game is amazing.

[Sunstroke]

I understand what you are saying but I don't know that it equates to being better. It may be tougher to pitch in the American league but it could be argued it's easier to pitch when you don't have to worry about hitting and running.  In the end I don't think it really matters.

Are American league pitchers better than a Greg Maddux just because they don't pitch against hitters? I dare say no. Nolan Ryan's best ERA was in the National league but then his second best was the American league.  In fact ... 5 out of 7 of his best ERA's were posted against the American league.  Based on this I'd say you are either a good pitcher or you are not ... regardless of the league.

I'm in agreement with pretty much all of this, and would add that I don't think I've ever seen anyone who was a better pitcher than Greg Maddux.

You're a good pitcher or you're not a good pitcher. Doesn't matter where you pitch.

[MyGodWearsAHoodie]

He's the exception, not the rule.   But the fact he played all nine positions on the field in a game is amazing.

Players like him are vital to the team.  Not all 9 positions but the ability to play more than one.

Teams are allowed 25 players.  Teams dedicate 12 or 13 as pitchers and 12 or 13 as defensive players.  If each of your defensive players could play one and only one position you would need to dedicate 16 players to defense leaving only 9 pitchers. 

[BuccaneerBrad]

Players like him are vital to the team.  Not all 9 positions but the ability to play more than one.

Teams are allowed 25 players.  Teams dedicate 12 or 13 as pitchers and 12 or 13 as defensive players.  If each of your defensive players could play one and only one position you would need to dedicate 16 players to defense leaving only 9 pitchers. 

But pitching is a skill that takes time to hone just like hitting.   There isn't time to hone both to the level it takes to be competitive in MLB.   Especially because once a pitcher becomes a prospect, they don't let them hit because of the money involved.  They have to protect their investment. 

[Spider-Dan]

National league pitchers are more complete baseball players than American league pitchers. 

Why does that matter?  I mean, nobody cares that Bryce Harper avoids the pitching rotation, or that Mike Trout doesn't take a turn behind the plate.  You're good at what you're good at.

To me, the main problem with NL pitchers batting is that it's a complete farce.  As I've mentioned before:

As I said, I don't really care too much about the DH, but when you have pitchers that don't even make an attempt to hit (warning: profanity in article title), or managers telling their pitchers not to swing, or managers making all their pitchers jog to first...  well, I tend to think that the viewing fan's experience would be best served by having players that are actually trying at the plate.

[BuccaneerBrad]

^^^^^^^^

Exactly the point.   This is why NL pitchers only face eight hitters per game.   They're trying so desperately to avoid injury to their pitchers.   When you're paying a guy eight figures a year to throw the ball, you are not going to risk him busting his shoulder swinging a bat or pulling his hamstring running the bases.   

Put the DH in both leagues.   It's the sensible thing to do with the way baseball is these days.

[MyGodWearsAHoodie]

I know there is basically two groups of people, those who want the DH completely eliminated and those that want it expanded to both leagues.  I am in the minority and like the variety.

[Spider-Dan]

I'm not really arguing that the DH should be mandatory.  I just don't see how someone could watch a player literally not take the bat off his shoulder for an entire at-bat and think, "YES! THIS IS REAL BASEBALL!"