James Shields 2011 for real?

[jcook3127]

In a points league his CGs were outstanding to have last year. He's proven to be a horse on the mound which is nice. It's almost a throwback to a couple decades ago when 250 innings wasn't all that odd.

Though to be fair a couple decades ago the average AB saw fewer pitches. The overall pitches per season of the top pitchers haven't changed all that much, they just need more pitches to go fewer innings. In 2009, starting pitchers averaged 95 pitches per game. In 1988, it was 96 per game. In 1988 it was 3.59 pitches/PA and in 2009 it was 3.83 pitches/PA an increase of 6.7%. Pitchers aren't getting 'softer', hitters are just getting better.

Yeah that's a good point...I would imagine both K-rates and BB-rates are on the rise from 20 years ago as well...more dancing around the plate than just daring hitters ala Doc Halladay