In honor of Greinke's 6-0 start

[leatherman]

Zack Greinke's quick start has us all amazed, but it isn't the longest streak of consecutive wins to start the season. In fact, just last year Brandon Webb ran his streak to 9-0 in 9 starts to begin the season. That is the 2nd longest such streak. The record holder: none other than Andy Hawkins, who started the 1985 season 10-0 before getting a no-decision in his 11th start of the season. Hawkins ran his record to 11-0 in his 12th start before losing his 14th start (his 13th start was another no-decision). For what it's worth, Hawkins finished the season at 18-8, losing 4 straight starts in September.

In the past 8 seasons (from 2002-2009), at least one pitcher has won his first 6 starts each season:
2002: Randy Johnson and Kaz Ishii both win their first 6 starts
2003: Mike Mussina wins his first 7 starts
2004: Roger Clemens wins his first 7 starts
2005: Dontrelle Willis wins his first 7 starts. Jon Garland wins his first 8 starts.
2006: Jered Weaver (called up midseason) wins his first 7 starts.
2007: Josh Beckett wins his first 7 starts
2008: Brandon Webb wins his first 9 starts (2nd longest streak in history)
2009: Zack Greinke wins (at least) his first 6 starts

So, although Greinke's streak is impressive, it had pretty much become commonplace in recent MLB history. Let's hope he keeps it going for a few more games.

Also of interest...
Dave McNally started his first 26 games in 1969 before taking a loss, going 15-0 over that stretch.
Ron Guidry started his first 17 games of 1978 before his first loss (13 wins), part of his magical 25-3 season.
Roger Clemens won 14 of his first 15 starts in 1986, going 14-0. He also won 11 of his first 12 starts in 1997.

And you can't include hot starts by pitchers without mentioning a particular Mexican pitcher from 1981. Fernando Valenzuela not only won his first 8 starts in 1981, he did it by throwing 7 complete games and 5 shutouts. He allowed only 4 ER in 72 innings (0.50 ERA) with 68 Ks and only 17 BBs. No wonder LA was overcome with Fernandomania: http://www.baseball-reference.com/playe ... #11-18-sum


David

 

[UMich92]

I think the 0.40 ERA after 6 starts is at least as impressive, if not more. And the 54/8 strikeout to walk ratio is kind of nice too. All this and he is throwing complete games with just over 100 pitches, with 111 being his season high. Nice.

Alex

 

[thefasterblade]

Yea, I highly doubt any of those guys did it in the fashion that Greinke is doing it in.

 

[Kutzy]

Well he mentioned Fernando who was just as impressive.

 

[leatherman]

Yea, I highly doubt any of those guys did it in the fashion that Greinke is doing it in.

Randy Johnson had a 0.93 ERA in his 7 starts, with 75 Ks in 58.1 IP.
Bob Turley (in 1958) won his first 7 starts, with an 0.86 ERA. All 7 were complete games, and 4 of those were shutouts.
In 1994, Steve Ontiveros allowed only 1 ER in his first 6 starts, producing a 0.26 ERA over that span. He went 4-0. However (and this is a BIG however), his first 6 starts started in May, after being a reliever for the first part of the season. He ended up leading the league with a 2.65 ERA.

Also interesting is Fernando's first 4 starts of 1985. He went 2-2, but didn't allow an earned run in 33 innnings (he allowed 4 unearned runs). He lost 2-1 on opening day, threw back to back shutouts in his 2nd and 3rd starts, and then lost 2-1 in his 4th start. He then lost 1-0 in a 10-inning complete game loss in start #5, allowing only one earned run. After 5 starts, his record was 2-3 with 4 complete games (2 shutouts), a 0.21 ERA in 42 IP, and 35 Ks. Talk about tough luck.

Fernando and Greinke are the only two starting pitchers to not allow an earned run in their first 4 starts.

Fernando: http://www.baseball-reference.com/playe ... 42-145-sum
Greinke: http://www.baseball-reference.com/playe ... 45-148-sum


David

 

[UMich92]

David - Thanks for all the research. Good stuff.

Alex

 

[Johan Santana 57]

Also interesting is Fernando's first 4 starts of 1985. He went 2-2, but didn't allow an earned run in 33 innnings (he allowed 4 unearned runs). He lost 2-1 on opening day, threw back to back shutouts in his 2nd and 3rd starts, and then lost 2-1 in his 4th start. He then lost 1-0 in a 10-inning complete game loss in start #5, allowing only one earned run. After 5 starts, his record was 2-3 with 4 complete games (2 shutouts), a 0.21 ERA in 42 IP, and 35 Ks. Talk about tough luck.

And Dan Haren thinks he has it bad, that is just crazy about the above!^^

 

[shephech]

Every year... I have a good feeling about Doc winning the Cy Young this HAPPENS! lol it is very very impressive, but last year it was Cliff Lee and now Greinke.

As a Halladay fan I hope Greinke slows down and DOC gets his second.


Shep :ugeek:

 

[Craig - 21hawk]

I'm so glad Greinke was one of my boys during fantasy draft season. Although the two drafts I missed caused me to miss out on him in those leagues.

Now we need to coin a term for what he is doing. Greinkemania doesn't work, because that belongs to Fernando.

Is he the Zackocalypse? Or is it actually something clever (unlike that)?

Craig

 

[justinmandawg]

Greinke also won his last three games last season. He hasn't lost since Sept 7. Anyway you put it, the city is enjoying the team and Greinke's success.