Top 10 pitchers of 2012 regular season – MLB Feature - Part 3
6. Max Scherzer: Detroit Tigers
Detroit Tigers’ Max Scherzer is placed sixth on our list of top 10 pitchers of 2012 Major League Baseball regular season. Starting pitcher Scherzer has posted some impressive numbers this season. It will not be wrong to say that he played a big part in helping
Tigers win their second straight American League Central Division title.
Scherzer’s ability to strike-out batters under pressure is what separates him from other pitchers. He has the second highest number of Ks (231) among all MLB pitchers this season. He also leads the majors in K’s/9 with 16 victories to his name.
Although Scherzer started the season slowly, he improved his game with each passing game. After the All Star Break, in particular, he looked unbeatable at times with an incredible 8-2 record, holding the opponents to just a 2.29 average.
“We've had three years of success. We've never really been recognized this early. We've always been picked (low to start), and then we always went out and surprised everybody. Well, now somebody has said we should do well this year. . . . Obviously we have
the opportunity to take it up a level, but it is on this year,” Scherzer said.
“He's not the loudest kid out there, but you know when he goes out there he is going to compete. He's a leader because he's a leader on the field. He goes out there, does things and inspires people to do well. That's what he does,” Manager Jim Leyland said.
Overall, Scherzer has won 16 games with a decent 3.74 ERA. With 231 strike-outs and 1.21 WHIP, he deserves a lot of credit for his heroic efforts. However, his fans will be expecting him to continue his impressive form during the playoffs as well to help
Tigers claim the biggest prize of them all; the World Series title.
5. Matt Harrison: Texas Rangers
Texas Rangers’ Matt Harrison is also one of the finest pitchers in the American League. He has the ability to use his fastballs and slider effectively against both right-handed and left-handed hitters. Harrison started the season on a very bright note and
he ended the season in a similar fashion to post a decent 19-11 Record.
His 3.29 ERA also falls in top 20 in the American League. Striking-out 133 batters with 1.26 WHIP, he played a key role in fueling Rangers’ to the top of American League West Division standings table.
4. Matt Cain: San Francisco Giants
Matt Cain finished the season at sixth in ERA (2.79) and he is third among pitchers in the playoffs. He also has the best WHIP among all pitchers in Major League Baseball. It will not be wrong to say that he played a key role in Giants’ National League West
Division campaign this season.
With 16 wins including a perfect game, Cain is placed fourth on the list of top 10 pitchers of 2012 season. Striking-out 193 batters in 21 quality starts, he has certainly cemented his place on Giants’ big league roster. It will be interesting to see if
he can continue his good work during the playoffs.
The views expressed in this article are the writer's own and in no way represent Bettor.com's official editorial policy.
Continued in Part 4
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