Hudson or Wood

[Spartans Rule]

Hudson for me.

I have trouble believing Wood will beat Hudson in WHIP. Wood walks too many people to do that. I see Hudson beating Wood in every category except Ks by a fair margin. You're still going to get 160-180 Ks out of Hudson and he could be a 20-game winner this year. Those Ws are tough to come by.

Wood's WHIP the past 3 years:
02: 1.24
03: 1.19
04: 1.27

And Hudson's:
02: 1.25
03: 1.08
04: 1.26

Aside from 03, which I maintain was a lucky year for Hudson in terms of hits allowed, the two are pretty even in WHIP. Wood does walk a lot of batters, but all those Ks keep the ball out of play and it evens out a bit.

And Hudson only had 4.9 K / 9 IP last year, which is a cause for some concern. While that number should rebound, it's no given.

Then of course for me there's always an enormous upside factor with Wood. His stuff is as good as there is, and he's still got the potential to put it all together and be a top 5 guy.

[Rico The Retard]

Hudson by a blowout

[Yoda]

Hudson for me.

I have trouble believing Wood will beat Hudson in WHIP. Wood walks too many people to do that. I see Hudson beating Wood in every category except Ks by a fair margin. You're still going to get 160-180 Ks out of Hudson and he could be a 20-game winner this year. Those Ws are tough to come by.

Wood's WHIP the past 3 years:
02: 1.24
03: 1.19
04: 1.27

And Hudson's:
02: 1.25
03: 1.08
04: 1.26

Aside from 03, which I maintain was a lucky year for Hudson in terms of hits allowed, the two are pretty even in WHIP. Wood does walk a lot of batters, but all those Ks keep the ball out of play and it evens out a bit.

And Hudson only had 4.9 K / 9 IP last year, which is a cause for some concern. While that number should rebound, it's no given.

Then of course for me there's always an enormous upside factor with Wood. His stuff is as good as there is, and he's still got the potential to put it all together and be a top 5 guy.

While I agree with a lot of what you are saying but... Hudson is the better pitcher right now. He may not be as overpowering but there is a reason why his ERA was under 3 for couple of seasons. I really think that A's pitchers had screwed up mechanics in 04 and Mazzone will straighten him out. I like Wood but until he lives up to the promise, I can't keep giving him a free pass.

[Kingctb27]

Wood

[GSes]

Hudson and its not even close.

Wood will pile up well over 200 K's but Hudson will beat him in every other category. Lets face it yes Kerry Wood is VERY talented but he walks way to many guys and he has never won many games in 1 season.

[WittyC]

I would sport Wood.

Atlanta's BP isn't that much better than Chicago's if you think about it. Dan Kolb is hardly a proven closer (one good year), and who's setting him up? Kevin Gryboski? Chris Reitsma? You can't tell me they're better than La Troy and Remlinger.

Peter Gammons picked Kerry Wood to win the Cy Young last year, and if he hadn't gotten injured, I guarantee he would have gotten some votes.

They will both finish pretty close to each other, but I would rather bank on Wood's K's than gamble on Hudson's wins.

[HOOTIE]

Wood. He may double Hudsons K total. Hudson is starting to look like Zito did a few years ago. His K rate has dropped alot. I think Hudson is the Cafes most overrated sp.

[TheYanks04]

Another great prediction from Gammons, the Boston Schill. Wood has never won more than 14 games and is 67-50 lifetime. Take Hudson. I really do not think it is even close. The only thing Wood has over Hudson is Ks.

[WittyC]

Yeah, but that's a lot of K's. Career totals for K/IP...

Wood -- 1.16
Hudson -- 0.725

[The Jury]

I think that Huddy is a little bit overrated, as he doesn't totally blow Wood out of the water in ratios and BAA. However, he is easily the better of the two pitchers, and hasn't suffered double digit losses in a long while (or ever?). You gotta love Huddy in Atlanta.