2010
3 no-hitters (Jimenez, Halladay, Braden)
5 CG one-hitters (Cain, Cueto, Niese, Latos, Galarraga)
4 CG two-hitters (Wainwright, Moyer, Neimann, Masterson)
3 one-hitters in eight IP (Cain, Cecil, Lilly)

2009
2 no-hitters
4 CG one-hitters
12 CG two-hitters
2 one-hitters in eight IP

2008
2 no-hitters
5 CG one-hitters
8 CG two-hitters
1 one-hitter in eight IP

As you can see in less than half the games, we already have more complete game no-hitters and one-hitters than 2008 and 2009. So again the question is – are pitchers more valuable in fantasy terms this year?

Out of the top 25 ranked players eight are ranked under 25 (Chris Carpenter number 26 so I’m including him too). Of those eight two are relief pitchers. Not even making the top 25 list are some names who are having unreal years too like David Price (33), Jon Lester (36), Mat Latos (37), Andy Pettitte (38), Phil Hughes (42), Mike Pelfrey (44) and Jaime Garcia (46).This gives us a total of 15 in the top 50. Here’s the best part – Tim Lincecum isn’t even on the top 50 yet, but we know that will change by years end. In comparison to 2009, there were 9 top 25 and 14 in the top 50. For 2008 there were only 5 in the top 25 and only 12 in the top 50.

Okay so the rankings weren’t a tell-tale sign of how good the 2010 pitchers are but a quick look at ERA definitely shows us the truth:

The 2006 MLB league average ERA was 4.53
The 2007 MLB league average ERA was 4.47
The 2008 MLB league average ERA was 4.32
The 2009 MLB league average ERA was 4.32
The 2010 MLB league average ERA was 4.18

All-in all its still early in the year and you never know what will happen. Jimenez could go down with an injury tomorrow and offset the whole league’s ERA.

So why the huge drop in ERA? Are pitchers actually getting better or are batters getting worse? Did the steroid era catch up with us and batters are finally human again?

Let’s hear your thoughts.
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Tags: Fantasy Baseball Advice, Fantasy Baseball Blog, The Fantasy Fix, Pitcher, Fantasy Marx, MLB, NL, AL, Ubaldo Jimenez, Roy Halladay, Dallas Braden, Armando Galarraga, Chris Carpenter, David Price, Jon Lester, Mat Latos, Andy Pettitte, Phil Hughes, Mike Pelfrey, Jaime Gsrcia, Tim Lincecum, Matt Cain, Johnny Cueto, Jonathan Niese, Jaime Moyer, Jeff Neimann, Justin Masterson, Brett Cecil, Ted Lilly, Colorado Rockies, Philadelphia Phillies, Oakland Athletics, Detroit Tigers, St. Louis Cardinals, Tampa Bay Rays, Boston Red Sox, San Diego Padres, New York Yankees, New York Mets, Chicago Cubs, Cincinnati Reds, Cleveland Indians