Picture
by Patrick Despain


We are going to continue today with pitching stats. Game Score (GSc). This is one of the most simple statistics out there, and really easy to calculate. However, it's simplicity is what makes this a very useful stat. It is used to gauge the performance of starting pitcher over one game.

GSc (Game Score)

This is one of my favorite baseball statistics. It was developed by the great Bill James to measure a pitcher's single outing. It's a very simple stat, but one that has an incredible outlook on a single performance. There really isn't much to breakdown with Game Score, because of it's simplicity. When you think GSc, think NFL quarterback rating. Here is how to calculate it:

1. Start with 50 points.
2. Add 1 point for each out recorded, so 3 points for every complete inning pitched.
3. Add 2 points for each inning completed after the 4th.
4. Add 1 point for each strikeout.
5. Subtract 2 points for each hit allowed.
6. Subtract 4 points for each earned run allowed.
7. Subtract 2 points for each unearned run allowed.
8. Subtract 1 point for each walk.


The highest game score in 2012 was 101, by Matt Cain in his perfect game. For the Rangers the highest GSc recorded in 2012 was Derek Holland with 83 on September 7th in a loss to Tampa 1-3. Not surprisingly, the lowest GSc was also Derek Holland on May 30th in the 8-21 beating by Seattle.

Patrick Despain is the CEO and Co-Founder of ShutDown Inning. He can be reached atPatrick.Despain@shutdowninning.com or on Twitter @ShutDownInning
 


Comments

Brenda
03/03/2013 13:21

I've never heard of this stat. Can you take each game's GSc over a Season and calculate one for the whole? Would this stat demonstrate consistency better than another stat, i.e. ERA for a pitcher? Love this series of articles on stats - very educational.

Reply
Patrick
03/03/2013 21:08

Brenda, there is GScA (Game Score Average) on baseball-reference.com. But a couple of terrible outings can overshadow a really good one, so use that sparingly in my opinion.

Reply



Leave a Reply