Broadcasters have been muttering this for weeks now, but really the idea that 2010 in some ways is showing a return in dominant pitching throughout baseball is starting to really come true. Pitchers are always ahead of hitters at the start of spring training and often the start of the season too.  Weather has an affect, as does pitching to full major league line-ups that sometimes mask how far ahead pitchers might be.  But, now, as we sit at the half way mark of the season, there are signs everywhere of how good the pitching in baseball actually is.

Andy Pettitte became the Yankees third 10-game winner yesterday, joining Phil Hughes and CC Sabathia.  If they keep up the pace, which they should be able to do with the run support from this team, the Yankees could see 3 20-game winners this year.   The Boston Red Sox currently have two 10 game winners, but John Lackey will get a shot at a 10th win this week, giving Boston a shot at having 3-20 game winners as well.

The White Sox starting pitchers haven’t missed a start this season, and 4 of the 5 starters are on pace to pitch 200 innings- unheard of.  Who needs a full bullpen with that?

Ubaldo Jimenez who pitches in hitter friendly Colorado has a 2.27 ERA with 14 wins in 17 games.  Next in the NL in wins is last year’s Cy Young runner up, Adam Wainwright who has only 11 wins, 2.34 ERA but has more strikeouts in the same amount of innings as Jimenez.

Its a long way until the finish line.  The season is far from over.  The pennant races are really just heating up.  Can many of these pitchers sustain the path of excellence they are currently on?  Youth will help.  Hitters who stand in the sun for 9 innings should also help…

Good pitching always beats good hitting.  Its nice we don’t have to wait until October to see it.

There are 7 pitchers in the AL and 13 in the NL with ERA’s under 3.00