Top five Angels Pitching Performances of 2012

The Society for the Ethical Treatment of Dead Horses is going to be upset about this next line; in 2012, the only thing we were supposed to not worry about was the starting pitching staff. They were supposed to rival some of the best staffs ever. This season was going to be so *over dramatic yelling voice* EPIC . There, now that I’ve got that out of my system, I can move on.
May 2, 2012; Anaheim, CA, USA; Los Angeles Angels pitcher Jered Weaver (36) is embraced by catcher Chris Iannetta (17) after throwing a no-hitter against the Minnesota Twins at Angel Stadium. The Angels defeated the Twins 9-0. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee/Image of Sport-US PRESSWIRE

Even with all the disappointments this year from the starting staff, it wasn’t as if we went the entire season without gems from the starting five. And thankfully, there’s the Game Score stat (We will get to the formula shortly) which is a simple stat to put together and puts a nice little number on a pitchers performance. And don’t worry Tom, it’s not one of those crazy weird advanced stats that only a select few people can figure out and understand. It’s not quite RBI’s, but it definitely isn’t WAR.

The formula for Game Score is as follows:

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

See Tom, that’s not so bad, is it?

5.) Jerome Williams 5/1 vs. Minnesota Twins

A complete game shutout from our number five starter? What more could you possibly ask for? Jerome owned this game from the moment he picked off Denard Span in the first inning. Racking up six strikeouts, walking only one, giving up three hits and compiling a Game Score of 86, tying him with two others for the 23rd best Game Score in 2012. Not too bad for his third start of the season after being side lined in spring training due to a hamstring issue.

4.) Jered Weaver 8/6 vs. Oakland Athetics

The Weave posted a Game Score off 88 in this early August dominance (of which there was not much in August), shutting down those pesky, pesky A’s. En route to a complete game shutout, Weaver threw 117 pitches giving up four hits, walking no one and striking out nine. This win put Jered at 15-1 on the season and lowered his ERA at the time to 2.13.

3.) Ervin Santana 6/16 vs. Arizona Diamondbacks

Oh, Ervin, we hardly knew ye. OK, we knew you quite well, and damnit, you could be so maddening. One day you’re terrible. Then, five days later you throw a complete game shut out giving up only one hit and one one walk while striking out five and posting a Game Score of 89. Why couldn’t you just be the 2008 version of yourself all the time? Sigh.

2.) Dan Haren 5/24 vs. Seattle Mariners

Man. Many fans, including myself, thought for sure that this meant that Dirty Dan was back. complete game four hit shutout, check. No walks, check. 14 strikeouts, say what?! Dan’s Game Score for his 126 pitches of dominance on this May evening was 93, good for a tie for sixth best in the AL for 2012. Well done Wolverine, well done.

1.) Jered Weaver 5/2 vs. Minnesota Twins

How do you follow up a CGSO? Why, you throw a no hitter of course. Weaver gave up one walk (and a runner reached on an error), struck out nine and compiled a Game Score of 95 which was good for a third place tie in the AL this year (When there are two perfect games, it’s kind of hard to get into the top spot without throwing your own perfecto). A fitting pinnacle for our very own home grown Ace, wouldn’t you agree?

And yes, I did just watch these videos as I wrote this. Gooooooood times.