A couple of days ago, I wrote here about Chris Carpenter’s historic strikeout-to-walk ratio. As Carp prepares to take the mound at Dodger Stadium on Monday night, I thought (with the help of Tom Orf) that I would delve a bit deeper into the bases on balls component of the St. Louis Cardinals star’s ongoing success.
First, we will look at this season only. Carpenter is working on a run of 19 consecutive starts in 2009 of walking two or fewer batters. His teammate Joel Pineiro is tied with Philadelphia’s Cole Hamels as the current MLB leader with the former at 21 and counting.
(In the tables that follow, an asterisk (*) next to the end date denotes a current streak.)
Two or fewer walks, consecutive starts, MLB 2009
| Teams | Start | End | Gms | W | L | GS | CG | SHO | IP | H | R | ER | BB | SO | HR | ERA | |
| Joel Pineiro | STL | 4/22/2009 | 8/15/2009 * | 21 | 9 | 9 | 21 | 3 | 2 | 143.1 | 141 | 59 | 49 | 12 | 67 | 4 | 3.08 |
| Cole Hamels | PHI | 4/10/2009 | 8/2/2009 | 21 | 7 | 6 | 21 | 1 | 1 | 123 | 139 | 66 | 64 | 23 | 107 | 18 | 4.68 |
| Chris Carpenter | STL | 4/9/2009 | 8/12/2009 * | 19 | 12 | 3 | 19 | 2 | 0 | 130.2 | 109 | 34 | 33 | 19 | 97 | 7 | 2.27 |
| Danny Haren | ARI | 4/17/2009 | 7/23/2009 | 18 | 10 | 3 | 18 | 3 | 1 | 130 | 94 | 33 | 31 | 16 | 130 | 12 | 2.15 |
| Carl Pavano | CLE-MIN | 5/11/2009 | 8/8/2009 | 16 | 8 | 5 | 16 | 1 | 1 | 101.1 | 115 | 57 | 52 | 15 | 70 | 15 | 4.62 |
| Zach Duke | PIT | 4/8/2009 | 6/29/2009 | 16 | 8 | 6 | 16 | 2 | 1 | 112 | 107 | 41 | 39 | 26 | 54 | 11 | 3.13 |
| James Shields | TBR | 5/3/2009 | 7/17/2009 | 15 | 4 | 4 | 15 | 0 | 0 | 100.2 | 117 | 48 | 42 | 16 | 76 | 9 | 3.75 |
| Roy Halladay | TOR | 4/6/2009 | 6/29/2009 | 15 | 10 | 2 | 15 | 3 | 1 | 109 | 100 | 33 | 31 | 14 | 95 | 7 | 2.56 |
From a career perspective, Carp has logged an even more impressive 35 such starts in a row, dating back to July, 2006. Of course, he missed much of the 2007 and 2008 seasons due to injury, but has still managed to maintain his streak.
Over at least the last 55 years, Carpenter’s current run of 35 games with two-or-fewer bases on balls per start is 14th longest anywhere in Major League Baseball and is the only top streak still active.
To become number one, Carpenter would need to maintain his run for the equivalent of two entire seasons. That is how long it would take to eclipse the amazing streak of 99 such games put together by Carlos Silva from late 2003 into 2007.
Two or fewer walks, consecutive starts, MLB 1954-2009
| Teams | Start | End | Gms | W | L | GS | CG | SHO | IP | H | R | ER | BB | SO | HR | ERA | |
| Carlos Silva | PHI-MIN | 8/2/2003 | 5/10/2007 | 99 | 36 | 34 | 99 | 3 | 1 | 610.2 | 760 | 328 | 302 | 84 | 238 | 89 | 4.45 |
| Brad Radke | MIN | 4/18/2003 | 9/18/2004 | 62 | 24 | 17 | 62 | 4 | 2 | 404.1 | 442 | 188 | 176 | 42 | 247 | 51 | 3.92 |
| David Wells | SDP-BOS | 8/13/2004 | 4/29/2007 | 59 | 25 | 14 | 59 | 2 | 0 | 355.2 | 423 | 189 | 178 | 43 | 206 | 47 | 4.5 |
| Bret Saberhagen | NYM | 10/4/1992 | 5/14/1995 | 48 | 21 | 13 | 48 | 8 | 1 | 350.2 | 329 | 128 | 120 | 36 | 253 | 28 | 3.08 |
| Zane Smith | MON-PIT | 7/25/1990 | 9/21/1991 | 45 | 22 | 12 | 45 | 9 | 5 | 308.1 | 284 | 110 | 88 | 35 | 172 | 17 | 2.57 |
| Jon Lieber | CHC-NYY-PHI | 5/29/2002 | 4/21/2005 | 43 | 21 | 13 | 43 | 2 | 0 | 286.2 | 340 | 146 | 130 | 25 | 167 | 35 | 4.08 |
| Andy Sonnanstine | TBD-TBR | 8/5/2007 | 9/21/2008 | 42 | 18 | 12 | 42 | 1 | 1 | 247 | 278 | 142 | 130 | 47 | 163 | 26 | 4.74 |
| Shane Reynolds | HOU | 7/30/1998 | 9/4/1999 | 42 | 21 | 13 | 42 | 4 | 2 | 283 | 301 | 120 | 112 | 36 | 270 | 27 | 3.56 |
| Lary Sorensen | MIL | 7/1/1978 | 7/23/1979 | 40 | 19 | 18 | 40 | 20 | 5 | 301 | 304 | 124 | 111 | 39 | 70 | 31 | 3.32 |
| La Marr Hoyt | CHW-SDP | 9/11/1984 | 5/17/1986 | 39 | 18 | 12 | 39 | 8 | 3 | 256.1 | 267 | 116 | 110 | 22 | 109 | 29 | 3.86 |
| Mike Mussina | NYY | 9/18/2007 | 9/28/2008 | 37 | 22 | 9 | 37 | 0 | 0 | 219.1 | 235 | 94 | 84 | 34 | 163 | 17 | 3.45 |
| Bill Hands | CHC | 9/11/1967 | 4/13/1969 | 37 | 17 | 9 | 37 | 12 | 4 | 265.2 | 221 | 92 | 78 | 36 | 149 | 29 | 2.64 |
| Robin Roberts | PHI | 5/7/1960 | 5/20/1961 | 36 | 11 | 20 | 36 | 14 | 2 | 258.1 | 277 | 115 | 107 | 34 | 135 | 34 | 3.73 |
| Chris Carpenter | STL | 7/30/2006 | 8/12/2009 * | 35 | 17 | 9 | 35 | 6 | 2 | 238.1 | 208 | 81 | 77 | 35 | 176 | 15 | 2.91 |
Bonus Carpenter coverage:
Though not related directly to bases on balls, it is worth also noting that on Monday night, Carpenter is going for his fifth consecutive start that ends in a win decision.
His is the second longest current streak in MLB after Philadelphia’s Cliff Lee at six. Carp’s Cardinals teammates broke San Diego’s Mat Latos’ consecutive start winning streak at four as they pinned a loss on the rookie on Friday night.
A fifth win Monday would tie Carpenter for the third-longest streak in MLB this season, behind leader Jorge de la Rosa of Colorado with seven. Pineiro had a comparable four-game stretch this April.
Victories in consecutive starts, MLB 2009
| Teams | Start | End | Gms | W | L | GS | CG | SHO | IP | H | R | ER | BB | SO | HR | ERA | |
| Jorge de la Rosa | COL | 6/21/2009 | 7/30/2009 | 7 | 7 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 46.2 | 35 | 14 | 14 | 16 | 40 | 3 | 2.70 |
| Cliff Lee | CLE-PHI | 7/16/2009 | 8/13/2009 * | 6 | 6 | 0 | 6 | 3 | 0 | 49 | 38 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 37 | 2 | 1.29 |
| Matt Cain | SFG | 5/17/2009 | 6/14/2009 | 6 | 6 | 0 | 6 | 3 | 0 | 41.2 | 34 | 9 | 8 | 14 | 36 | 3 | 1.73 |
| Zack Greinke | KCR | 4/8/2009 | 5/4/2009 | 6 | 6 | 0 | 6 | 3 | 2 | 45 | 30 | 3 | 2 | 8 | 54 | 0 | 0.40 |
| Jamie Moyer | PHI | 6/23/2009 | 7/16/2009 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 29.1 | 24 | 12 | 12 | 8 | 15 | 5 | 3.68 |
| Aaron Cook | COL | 6/6/2009 | 6/28/2009 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 36 | 31 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 22 | 4 | 1.75 |
| Rick Porcello | DET | 5/5/2009 | 5/27/2009 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 30 | 22 | 5 | 5 | 10 | 20 | 1 | 1.50 |
| Matt Palmer | LAA | 4/23/2009 | 5/19/2009 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 31.2 | 23 | 16 | 15 | 13 | 18 | 4 | 4.26 |
| Roy Halladay | TOR | 4/26/2009 | 5/17/2009 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 39 | 36 | 11 | 9 | 5 | 31 | 1 | 2.08 |
| Mark Buehrle | CHW | 4/12/2009 | 5/7/2009 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 33 | 24 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 21 | 2 | 2.45 |
| Chris Carpenter | STL | 7/27/2009 | 8/12/2009 * | 4 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 31 | 34 | 8 | 8 | 3 | 21 | 3 | 2.32 |
| Mat Latos | SDP | 7/24/2009 | 8/8/2009 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 25.2 | 16 | 6 | 6 | 8 | 19 | 5 | 2.10 |
| Joba Chamberlain | NYY | 7/19/2009 | 8/6/2009 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 26.2 | 14 | 6 | 6 | 15 | 24 | 3 | 2.03 |
| Randy Wells | CHC | 7/18/2009 | 8/3/2009 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 26.1 | 26 | 8 | 8 | 6 | 12 | 2 | 2.73 |
| John Lackey | LAA | 7/12/2009 | 7/29/2009 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 30.2 | 16 | 5 | 5 | 10 | 23 | 2 | 1.47 |
| Jarrod Washburn | SEA | 7/6/2009 | 7/23/2009 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 29.2 | 15 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 12 | 0 | 0.61 |
| Wandy Rodriguez | HOU | 7/2/2009 | 7/21/2009 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 29 | 21 | 2 | 2 | 5 | 27 | 1 | 0.62 |
| Danny Haren | ARI | 6/30/2009 | 7/18/2009 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 30 | 19 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 33 | 1 | 0.90 |
| Tim Lincecum | SFG | 6/23/2009 | 7/9/2009 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 31.2 | 15 | 4 | 4 | 8 | 37 | 1 | 1.14 |
| Ricky Romero | TOR | 6/21/2009 | 7/6/2009 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 28.1 | 21 | 5 | 5 | 11 | 25 | 1 | 1.59 |
| Randy Wells | CHC | 6/21/2009 | 7/6/2009 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 26.2 | 23 | 7 | 7 | 4 | 17 | 3 | 2.36 |
| Ricky Nolasco | FLA | 6/18/2009 | 7/5/2009 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 28 | 15 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 32 | 2 | 0.96 |
| Tommy Hanson | ATL | 6/12/2009 | 6/28/2009 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 23 | 18 | 2 | 2 | 16 | 13 | 0 | 0.78 |
| Jered Weaver | LAA | 5/27/2009 | 6/14/2009 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 30 | 17 | 4 | 4 | 9 | 29 | 0 | 1.20 |
| Matt Harrison | TEX | 4/27/2009 | 5/14/2009 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 30 | 22 | 6 | 6 | 2 | 18 | 0 | 1.80 |
| Derek Lowe | ATL | 4/25/2009 | 5/11/2009 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 25.1 | 24 | 12 | 12 | 9 | 17 | 2 | 4.26 |
| Scott Richmond | TOR | 4/15/2009 | 5/3/2009 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 26.1 | 20 | 8 | 6 | 10 | 22 | 3 | 2.05 |
| Joel Pineiro | STL | 4/10/2009 | 4/27/2009 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 26.1 | 30 | 11 | 11 | 6 | 6 | 1 | 3.76 |
| Chad Billingsley | LAD | 4/8/2009 | 4/23/2009 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 26.1 | 14 | 6 | 6 | 9 | 26 | 0 | 2.05 |
Chris Carpenter’s “current run of 35 games with two-or-fewer bases on balls per start” is made even more meaningful by the fact that he has gone so deep in the pitch counts during his last three starts. Since he is overdue for an exceptionally fine outing (perhaps even a complete game), I am looking forward to watching his performance tonight against the Dodgers.
Whatever it was that caused Carpenter to be consistently going deep into the pitch counts had disappeared after the fifth inning. Thenceforth, he was his stingy, merciless self; growing stronger and more dominant with each inning! Now, with a run of 36 games of “two-or-fewer bases on balls per start”, attention must be directed to the fact that the lone walk in last night’s game was strategic and intentional. With 9 starts remaining, there is not only hope for the Cy Young award, but also hope for 20 wins! Imagine; both Carpenter and Wainwright with 20 wins…
In going eight innings for his 13th win on Monday night at Dodger Stadium, Carpenter issued just one walk, an intentional pass to Manny Ramirez with first base open in the first inning. Carp threw 110 pitches. It was his fifth consecutive start ending in a win and 36th consecutive start with two or fewer walks, including 20 here in 2009.
Last night’s game was huge. As soon as Carpenter started locating that curveball, the Dodgers didn’t know what hit them. Great stuff.
I’m reading that the Cards may now be the front runners for Smoltz. I’m excited.
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=4408342&campaign=rss&source=ESPNHeadlines
Pujols remains vexed as does Mott. I was sitting back of the plate behind Boras and Pat Sedjack. Holiday, Ankiel and Lohse’s wifes were there too……… The president for pitching Albert on the hands is going to be copied by everyone. His adjustments are creating more problems the successes. Motte should be sent down if we get Smoltz I would think. He is throwing gas…..but on the fire unfortunately. I expect a real battle tomorrow for Wainwright. I will write a little about my observations of Carp when I get home. If you have money on St Louis tomorrow, I would rethink that bet. Holiday is a bit flat along with DeRosa who didn’t seem to like sitting down………………. Anyone notice the 0/2 hit and run with Ankiel and Luddy? Rick looked so bad against the lefty that Tony just pulled the plug. Also, LA sucks. Pasadena, where the team is camped is a pleasant place though.
Thank you, WCW, for the insightful report on the game: I am truly looking forward to your “observations of Carp”. Since I had “watched” the game by means of ESPN’s “Gamecast”, I wasn’t able to catch the 0-2 hit and run with Ankiel and Ludwick. As bad as Ankiel looked against the lefty, Rasmus would have looked worse: Tony did the wisest (and only) thing. You say that Matt was “a bit flat”? His “oh, for” had perfectly complemented Albert’s “oh, for”! Although the debacle was absolutely total and everyone was to blame, attention must be brought to bear on the fact that the loss was incurred as the result of Motte’s 2-run insult to Boggs’ 3-run injury (we would have otherwise at least gone into extra innings). The only reason that Greene was on the field is his mastery over Billingsley in the past (before his “social anxiety disorder” began taking it’s toll). DeRosa would have otherwise not been forced to sit down…
The only good thing to come out of last night is the fact that the other Central Division teams also lost (most notably, the Cubs). So, the Cardinals remain 6 games up as they work on another winning streak – with nothing but sub .500 teams in the schedule all the way through September 9th.
With regard to Holliday’s free agency conversation with Boras, we can only hope that Matt has as much regard for the admiring and knowledgeable St Louis fans as Big Mac did…
With regard to the prospect of signing Smoltz, how much worse can the Hall of Famer be than either Wellesley or Boggs, as the fifth starter? How much worse can he be than the demoralizing Motte? I have no objection to him coming aboard and allowing St Louis fans to inspire him for maximum performance.
Tonight’s performance (August 22nd) against the Padres was one of Chris’ sloppier outings (if 3 hit shut-out pitching could ever be called, “sloppy”). The string of games in which he had given up “two-or-fewer bases on balls per start” was stopped at 36 and he lasted only 7 innings, before the pitch count had hit 100. Still, he picked-up his 14th victory and the distinct possibility of the Cy Young award remains intact. With 8 starts remaining, the possibility of 20 wins for both Chris and Adam also remains intact!
I will get around to writing about my Carp experience before too long C57. When Smoltz arrives at the Pen in a few weeks, there will be less temptation to send Carp out for more than 7 anyway. That should ease some of his fears about having to overwork.
I think todays game was the best possible scenario for the Cards. First, Franklin fought his way through. That was my primary concern with a strong showing by Smoltz with plenty of strikeouts.
Franklin passed last years demons.
The injury to Lohse was great for Smoltz. Its good to be needed. Most importantly its good for Lohse who will have no more excuses. He will respond to this scenario, which gives him an excuse to be emotional.
As good as Smoltz pitched, he is not a playoff starter. His pitch assortment makes him a natural for 7th 8th inning relieve work against pinch hitters. Tony knows this. He see a plan.