Everyone who follows baseball knows that for a long time the two leagues have had different strengths, with the AL being known for its hitting and the NL being known for its pitching. The differences, while apparent, have not been drastic in recent years, narrowed by a number of factors (steroids, expansion diluting pitching, park size).
Until this year, that is, which has witnessed a rebirth of pitching dominance in the National League. Here we are, about 60 games into the season — almost 40 percent — and just one hitter in the NL is on a pace to hit more than 40 homeruns (Corey Hart in Milwaukee), with just nine others in line to pass the 30 mark. Recent years finished like this: 2008, 40-plus, 2/30-plus, 14; 2007, 50-plus, 1/40-plus, 3/30-plus 15; 2006, 1/7/14.
Earned Run Averages also have shown a drop. In 2006, just one pitcher — Roy Oswalt — finished with an ERA under 3.00 and, in 2007, Jake Peavey was the lone pitcher under 3.00. In 2008, four pitchers were under 3.00. Last year, there was a huge jump, with eight pitchers finishing below 3.00. right now, there are 17 pitchers in the NL with ERAs under 3.00, four of which are under 2.00 and one — Usbaldo Jimenez, of Colorado (COLORADO!) — under 1.00.
The top three scoring teams in baseball are in the AL, four of five and six of eight. On the flip side, five of the top six teams (and seven of nine) in ERA are NL teams.
As a National League baseball watcher and lover of good pitching, I find the trend heartening — especially having just watched the young Jon Niese toss a one-hit shutout against San Diego.
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Hank Kalet 