Understood. Thank you for clarifying the difference between the two.
I would tend to stray away from using B-R's ERA+ based WAR just because ERs are not a good measure of ability. While ERA+ does adjust for ballpark, it takes nothing into account about the defense behind the pitcher.
Verlander's candidacy is an interesting debate. There's no question he wins the Cy Young. I think if there weren't a Bautista or other players having excellent seasons, the argument for Verlander is there. There will always be a purist slant that says a guy who doesn't bat can't be a MVP.
The biggest problem is that 24-5 could just as easily be 19-9. His ERA could be much closer to 3 if his BABIP were anywhere near normal levels (.236 this year - has never been below .279 in a season previously). There's no question he's the AL's best pitcher this year. Making the MVP argument is a lot harder with Bautista, Granderson and others hitting the cover off the ball.
I would tend to stray away from using B-R's ERA+ based WAR just because ERs are not a good measure of ability. While ERA+ does adjust for ballpark, it takes nothing into account about the defense behind the pitcher.
Verlander's candidacy is an interesting debate. There's no question he wins the Cy Young. I think if there weren't a Bautista or other players having excellent seasons, the argument for Verlander is there. There will always be a purist slant that says a guy who doesn't bat can't be a MVP.
The biggest problem is that 24-5 could just as easily be 19-9. His ERA could be much closer to 3 if his BABIP were anywhere near normal levels (.236 this year - has never been below .279 in a season previously). There's no question he's the AL's best pitcher this year. Making the MVP argument is a lot harder with Bautista, Granderson and others hitting the cover off the ball.
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