In baseball, a pitcher’s ERA (Earned Run Average) is a pivotal statistic that measures the average number of earned runs given up per nine innings, reflecting their effectiveness.
A good ERA is contextual, varying with changes in the game, but generally, an ERA below 4.00 is solid, with elite pitchers often under 3.00.
Understanding ERA helps evaluate a pitcher’s performance and potential, especially when comparing ERAs within the same era.
Advanced metrics like FIP (Fielding Independent Pitching) also refine this assessment by focusing solely on pitching performance.
Overall, while ERA provides significant insight into a pitcher’s effectiveness, incorporating advanced statistics like FIP can offer a more nuanced view.