Baseball is a volatile game. Multiple parts are always in play, even when the physical motion on the field is minimal. For a squad to go from good to great (or great to legendary), players need to be proficient on both sides of the ball.
However, one of the oldest mantras in the game seems to contradict that notion: Hitting wins games, but pitching wins championships. We’ve found this to be true time and again. If that is indeed the case, than the Hillsboro Hops are in fine position to defend their Northwest League title. While the team’s offense has its bright spots, its starting staff has really turned it on this year.
Teammates Jared Miller and Carlos Hernandez have turned into the modern day Koufax and Drysdale of Single-A baseball in the Pacific Northwest. The two lead the league in ERA with 1.81 and 2.50 respectively. Miller is one of just three pitchers in the league that has thrown a complete game, no small feat at a level where managers are less apt to stretch out a starter. Tyler Bolton and Hernandez lead the league in innings pitched, with 82 1/3 and 79 1/3 frames thrown, respectively. Hernandez is blowing everybody else out of the water in terms of strikeouts, with his 89 punch outs pacing everybody else. (Cody Reed, with 71, is in third.) Miller has the lowest WHIP in the game at a minuscule 0.91.
While victory is never guaranteed, the Hops seemingly have a much better chance at repeating as champs than any other team has at starting a streak. Thanks to the efforts of their hurlers, the Hops lead the NWL in ERA, innings pitched, complete game shutouts and WHIP. They’ve given up the fewest number of hits and runs in the league. None of this is coincidental, nor is it the result of luck – the Hops just have an outrageously strong pitching corps.
This isn’t to detract from the team’s position players, although they certainly haven’t done their part during this pennant run. Hops batters rank at or near the bottom in every offensive stat in the league, although their 133 doubles are just three behind the Eugene Emeralds (the Chicago Cubs’ affiliate) for the lead. With this abysmal production, it’s a wonder the team has remained in contention throughout the season.
While the bats will need to come alive if the Hops are to have a better shot at the championship, the masterful pitching should be enough to keep them afloat either way. It will be interesting to see if Miller, Hernandez or someone else gets the nod when the playoffs begin on Monday.
Stats courtesy of MiLB.com, current through 9/2
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