And this is exactly the question - WHY?? Why Timmy is dominant and Haren is not? Because of Ks?
I am really trying being objective ...
Both played 18 games and have about 130 IPs, both have 3 CGs ... however
Haren has better WHIP 0.81 (Tim has 1.05) and ERA 2.01 (Tim has 2.33). But what make Haren's stats even more amazing is the fact that he pitches at one of the worst ballparks for pitchers.
Well, again if you eliminate Timmy's 2 (3?) early starts then they are practically even in the WHIP category. Take a look at this chart..
http://mlb.mlb.com/stats/league_lea...&box2=XXXX453311sfnX&compare.x=27&compare.y=9
This shows, that aside from the early few starts in the year.. they would be practically even.
As far as the K's go, take a look at Timmy's K/IP... He's pitched 127.2 IP and has struckout 149 batters!!
That is dominant! Haren has 129 in 130 IP which is impressive as well.
The reason I think Timmy has more BBs is because he pitches more for the K. Another crazy stat to look at is HR allowed. Tim has allowed only 4 HRs!! FOUR. all year. Granted, he does play in a pitcher-friendly park, but that is still amazing. He is facing big league hitters out there. Haren has allowed 12, which is good but a world away from 4.
So, again - stats aside, I think if you minus the first couple early starts from Timmy, you will see that every category Haren is beating him in, would be even. I think they took that into effect and then looked at all of the other categories in naming Timmy the starter for tonight.