Jim Leyland has no time for statistics. The Detroit Tigers manager is not worried about what advanced metrics have to say about his team. He wants winners and that is exactly what pitcher Max Scherzer has been doing this year. So when asked about a statistic that diminishes Scherzer's great season, Leyland got a little upset.
Run support is crucial for a pitcher. A television graphic appeared during the Tiger's game against the Boston Red Sox noting that if Scherzer had gotten the same kind of run support pitcher John Lackey receives, he would be 11-10 instead of 19-1. If Lackey had gotten the run support that Scherzer receives, he would be 15-4 instead of 8-12.
"Some people could find a flaw in Bo Derek," Leyland told reporters, according to the Detroit News. "I don't believe in any of that stuff," Leyland said. "I won't listen to any of it and have no interest in talking about it. You can figure out whatever you want. My view of pitchers' stats is this: Did he give us a chance to win? If he did that on any kind of consistent basis for me, then he's a very good pitcher. But I also like guys that win. I'd rather have a pitcher nobody is talking about who has won 15 games than somebody everyone is raving about who has won five. I'm a baseball manager, not a statistician. I'm wasting my time talking about it."
Scherzer currently leads the majors in wins and ranks in the top three in the American League in ERA and strikeouts. The Tigers have been struggling to score recently, but somehow manage 5.79 runs when Scherzer starts. Meanwhile, six of the 11 times the Red Sox have been shutout this season, Lackey has been pitching. He is 8-12 despite his 3.28 ERA.
Leyland says that it is not Scherzer's fault the team has scored well for him. He believes he has a great pitcher and the Red Sox have a great pitcher in Lackey. Run support should not be put into consideration when comparing the two.
"If you really want to simplify it, it's just been Scherzer's year, but don't make it sound as if he hasn't pitched good. I don't believe in any of that stuff. I won't listen to any of it and have no interest in talking about it. You can figure out whatever you want," Leyland said.
