Piniero Deals

On the heels of Carpenter's epic outing, the Cardinals biggest enigma took center stage - the guy getting silly money for mediocre effort - Joel Piniero. We've all heard how angry he was at being left off the Puerto Rican National team, and how this is a contract year. He claimed to be in the best shape of his life.

Well, it's showtime, bubba.

Piniero gave Cardinals fans more cause for optimism this season, throwing 6 and 2/3 effective innings, leaving with a 4-1 lead in a game St Louis eventually won 5-3. It was the third quality start of the first time through the rotation.

I thought I'd try something new this year, and that is look at the rotation each time they complete a full swing through; in other words, what the rotation is doing after everyone's pitched. With Piniero's start, here's a look at some of the numbers:

Avg start length: 6.1 inn
WHIP: 1.32
ERA: 3.19
K/9: 6.68
K/BB: 2.09
Only 1 HR allowed in 5 starts.

Additionally, I've redefined the quality start to mean an ERA of 3.00 or less for the number of innings pitched, mostly because the quality start definition of 3 ER or less in 6 IP has always bugged me; how does an ERA of 4.50 become a quality start? That's a mediocre pitcher at best. Under the revised definition, 3 of 5 starts were of the quality variety.

All told, other than Wellemeyer's gagger, the starters pitched very well the first time through.

Relievers will be looked at on a weekly basis. Seemed like a better metric than every 5 games.

At any rate, the Cardinals can attribute their 3-2 start to excellent starting pitching. If Motte hadn't had a really bad outing on Opening Day, they'd be 4-1.

Oswalt, who always gives the Cardinals trouble, against Wainwright today.