How bad is the Astros bullpen? How good are the Braves relievers?

Throughout the season, I like to look at trends that may explain team's success and failure.

Clearly, teams need effective bullpens to win, certainly they need them to be competitive. But as good a bullpen might be, you don't want them in the game. The longer a team can go with their starter, the better that team will do throughout the season.

Here's what I mean

When you mouse over the team icons, you can see how porous the Astros bullpen has been and how much they are used. They have allowed 62 runs already this season.  

Compare their numbers to the magnificent Braves 'pen that has only allowed 17 runs this season.

Tampa relievers have been used less than any other group only tossing 2.28 IP per game.

The fact that the Cardinals bullpen have surrendered 45 runs, the same as the Marlins is a number that stands out.

The 3.72 IP/G tossed by the Pirates bullpen is something to be noted as well as only the Astros at 4.03 have been stretched further.

2012 - Frame of reference

The Rockies certainly have to be pleased with their start compared to last season, but the Reds certainly are not as lights out as last season

Face off: Clay Buchholz vs. Matt Moore

There are two starters who have begun the season going 5-0: Matt Moore and Clay Buchholz. Hopefully at some point this season these two stars will face off against each, but until then, we can only imagine it through stats.

Here are the AL starters who have made five starts this season

This chart looks at ERA and WHIP

As you mouse over the icons, you realize you want to be in the lower left quadrant. Here you are in the company of Hisashi Iwakumi, Yu Darvish, Felix Hernandez, Anibal Sanchez, Ervin Sanchez, and Buchholz and Moore.

The upper right is ugly territory. This is where Philip Humber, Joe Blanton, Brad Peacock and Jarrod Parker are residing.

Let's look at BAA and Slugging

Once again, the best are in the lower left corner occupied by Moore and Darvish. The next group includes Buchholz, Sanchez, Jon Lester and Hiroki Kuroda.

On the dark side, you find Joe Blanton, Parker, Humber, Joe Saunders, Mark Buehrle and the like.

Starters with runners on base

This is my look at when the going gets tough, the tough get going.

Again, look at the lower left and you find that not only has Clay Buchholz held the opposition to a .103 average with runners on, but a .143 average with runners in scoring position.

Not to be outdone, Matt Moore held the opposition to a .122 average with runners on and a .000 average w/RISP.

Ryan Dempster's .130/.148 combo is outstanding as is Wei-Yin Chen's .143/200. Perhaps the league hasn't been paying enough attention to Seattle's Iwakuma (.154/.062) and Jake Peavy (.158/176). But the league is well aware of Humber's .452/.556(!) and Brandon Maurer's .361/.474.

Moore vs. Buchholz - head-to-head

As you can see from the charts above, there are many good starters in the AL and if this has proven anything it simply supports those of you who feel that wins are not the correct way to measure the efficacy of a pitcher.

But, let's finish with our face off between Moore and Buchholz. 

• Buchholz has thrown 529 pitches and faced 144 batters allowing 25 hits including one homer. He has walked 13 and whiffed 39.
• Moore has thrown 528 pitches and faced 123 batters allowing 13 hits including three homers. He has walked 15 and whiffed 38.

If I had to choose, in the long run I would take the 23-year old Moore over the 28-year old Buchholz, Moore's upside is far greater. But this season, I would be quite content with either on my staff.

The Cubs starters deserve a better fate

Entering action on April 24, whose starting pitching has been better this season, the Cubs or the Giants?

Let me ask you another question, entering action on April 24, whose starting pitching has been better this season, the Cubs, Marlins or Padres?

Let me answer both questions this way: The Cubs starting pitching deserve better

To answer the first question: the Cubs rotation has a 3.04 ERA, trailing only the Cardinals and Braves (mouse over the team icons to see the ERA and wins), but they only have three wins. The Giants starters have a 4.41 ERA and nine wins.

As for the second question:  the Cubs, Marlins and Padres starters all have just three wins, but the Cubs starters have a 3.04 ERA, the Marlins starters have a 4.20 ERA and the Padres starters have a 5.87 ERA. 

Carlos Villanueva, Travis Wood, and Jeff Samardzija are the guys to feel badly for 

Hard to believe that Carlos Marmol leads this team with two wins.

The Cubs starters deserve better, but when you combine a weak offense and shaky defense this is what you get.