Top Ten American League pitchers of 2011 MLB regular season – Part 3
With Justin Verlander leading and CC Sabathia chasing closely, the American League 2011 regular season has gone and the pitchers have created history, not only in AL but also in MLB. Weaver and Dan Haren represented the Los Angeles Angels and C.J. Wilson
along with Derek Holland made room for the Texas Rangers. James Shields took Tampa Bay Rays and Gio Gonzalez expressed his expertise to make Oakland Athletics in the list.
The destroyer from the Texas Rangers, Derek Holland secured eight place with his 16-5 record and a 3.95 ERA in 32 starts. His low place in the top ten winners in AL was only because of his low numbers of wins but his percentage was one of the three best
of the season. Holland closed down the 2011 season in devastating manner and won all of his last three outings against tough competitors, including Tampa Bay Rays and Detroit Tigers. The 25-year old left-hander led the AL with four shut-outs, the fifth-most
in the Rangers’ history and also secured the third position in win-loss percentages with .762, the fifth-best in Rangers’ history.
Ivan Nova of the New York Yankees stood ninth in the list with his 16-4 record and a 3.70 ERA. An injury plagued player may have taken more wins if he would have appeared in more games, but despite tossing only 27 games he snatched the second place with
his exceptional .800 winning percentages. The right-hander was the only reliable partner of Sabathia throughout the season.
A well played season ended in defeat as Nova started Game 5 of the American League Division Series but left the mound after receiving two back-to-back humiliating homers. Right after the inning which put the Yankees to their season ending 3-2 loss, Nova
left the game complaining about tightness in his forearm. Many speculations were made on his below average performance but his manager Joe Girardi was at his back to answer any criticism.
Boston Red Sox Jon Lester is the last but not least performer according to this list. Although he had only a 15-9 record with a high 3.47 ERA, but his contribution for the Red Sox was exceptional. The pitcher gave away only 166 hits and 77 runs in his 31
starts and played one of the best seasons of his career. However, this performance could not earn the manager of American League All-Star, who at first did not consider Lester, but because of the injury of the Felix Hernandez, the lefty got a chance. He made
his entry in the top ten in wins and also in winning percentages (.625) and most walks (75). Lester tossed the last outing of the season against the Baltimore Orioles and gave up only two runs but the bullpen failed to hold on to the lead and the Red Sox were
eliminated.
Many may argue on the numbering of the list but the close view of the performances will justify the places. Whether the fans agree with this list or not, the entire season was full of surprise and unexpected occasions. Every moment was quite exciting but
there were few that will never be seen again. Over the next few years, some new faces will be seen and some old will sit in the stands, but one thing will always be there, the powerful and ever so entertaining pitchers of Major League Baseball.
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