Charles Rex Arbogast/AP
Only 30 complete games have been pitched in the major leagues this season, with the latest being Zac Gallen’s three-hitter in the Diamondbacks’ 1-0 victory Friday against the Cubs.
That’s only one more than were pitched in the COVID-shortened 60-game season in 2020. Pitchers would have to pick up the pace to reach the 36 of 2022, the fewest in a full-length schedule.
The dip in complete games goes hand-in-hand with long-term decreases in average start length and an increasing portion of innings being pitched by relievers.