Last night, Brandon Webb beat the Colorado Rockies to start the season 9-0, becoming the first pitcher since 1985 to win his first 9 starts. Webb has been absolutely dominated hitters this season. The key to Webb's game is his sinker, which has been perfect throughout the beginning of this season. Hitters are hitting just .198 against him, and Webb has allowed exactly 63 baserunners in 63.1 innings (a WHIP of 0.99). The sinker's effectiveness is tested by the amount of home runs a sinkerballer gives up. Webb has allowed just two this season.One of the biggest reasons the Arizona Diamondbacks are in first place is because of Webb. Even on his worst days, Webb keeps his team in ballgames. His ERA is a miniscule 2.56, and of the 190 batters Webb has retired this season, 125 have been groundball outs, which help create double play oppurtunities to keep runners off bases. And although Webb is not a strikeout artist, he is currently 9th in the National League with 49 (6.97 K/9). Webb also goes deep into games, which help keeps the D-Backs bullpen rested, going at least 6 innings in every one of his starts this season, five of which have been for 7 innings or more.
In order for Arizona to remain serious World Series contenders, the
y will need more help for Webb. With Webb on the hill, Arizona is 9-0. However, without Webb or ace 1B Dan Haren, Arizona is just 13-13. However, there is good reason to believe Arizona's pitching will improve, as Micah Owings has put up solid numbers this season, Randy Johnson figures to pitch better, and Doug Davis is expected to return soon from thyroid cancer. Also, the D-Backs have rookie extraodinair Max Scherzer waiting in the wings.
y will need more help for Webb. With Webb on the hill, Arizona is 9-0. However, without Webb or ace 1B Dan Haren, Arizona is just 13-13. However, there is good reason to believe Arizona's pitching will improve, as Micah Owings has put up solid numbers this season, Randy Johnson figures to pitch better, and Doug Davis is expected to return soon from thyroid cancer. Also, the D-Backs have rookie extraodinair Max Scherzer waiting in the wings.As for Webb, this could just be the beginning of a historic season. If Webb wins his next start, he will be just the second pitcher in MLB history to win his first 10 starts. The 2006 Cy Young Award winner could be bidding for his second Cy Young Award, and his tremendous start has given Arizona reason to believe they are serious World Series contenders. If Webb continues to dominate hitters, he could have his first ever World Series ring.
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