In a recent
Stat of the Week, we compared fastball velocity and ERA and
found there was a strong correlation. Pitchers who throw harder
(based on their average fastball) perform better. Is this also
true during the playoffs?
Here's a chart comparing the regular season and playoffs:
|
Fastball Velocity and ERA
|
|
MPH |
ERA
(Regular Season) |
ERA
(Playoffs) |
| Less Than 90 |
4.58 |
4.71 |
| 90 to 93
|
4.29 |
4.18 |
| 94 or more
|
3.84 |
3.42 |
We see the same pattern in the playoffs as the regular
season. ERA improves as velocity goes up. But more importantly,
for the playoffs we see an even stronger effect. ERA improves
even more dramatically in the playoffs for those pitchers who
throw harder.
