Quote Originally Posted by Bellhorn04 View Post
WAR is intended to eliminate those luck factors you're talking about, that's why it should be fairer than ERA.
I happen to think ERA is a tad lenient on pitchers because, as I said, one single error can lead to 4 or 5 unearned runs, and to me the pitcher should bear some responsibility for some of those runs. The principle of unearned runs is a good one, but at some point the pitcher should be charged with those "extra" (my term, not MLB's) unearned runs.

Also, nobody penalizes a pitcher who benefits from a great defensive play--it's still just an out that the pitcher gets full credit for in terms of ERA, etc. Same goes for line drives hit really, really hard but go straight to an outfielder who doesn't have to move. On the scorecard, it's just another out caused by solid pitching. What has made it harder for pitchers this season is getting rid of those radical shifts with three infielders on either side of 2b--but to me that change was long overdue.