Bronson Arroyo's 15 Wins Makes Him One of the Big Boys

For the third year in a row Reds righthander Bronson Arroyo has won 15 games.

Is 15-games the new 20?

"No," Dusty Baker said.  "Twenty is twenty.  With any luck he would have 20 wins."

No one has won 20 games in either league over the last season.  From 1900 through 1982 there was just one season in the National League that no pitcher won 20 games.  In the American League there was just one season from 1900-1980 in which no pitcher won 20 games.

There have been seven season since 1982 in which no pitcher in the National League won 20 games.  In the American League there have been four years since 1982 without a 20-game winner.

Consider the following from the Reds Public Relations Department.....

Streaking: For the third straight season Arroyo has produced a career-high 15 wins...is the first Reds pitcher to win at least 15 decisions in 3 straight seasons since Tom Browning did it from 1988-90 (18, 15, 15) and the first Reds righthander to do it since Jack Billingham from 1973-75 (19, 19, 15)...is 1 of only 4 pitchers in the Major Leagues with at least 15 wins in each of the last 3 seasons (Sabathia,Halladay, Lester)...Lincecum becomes the fifth with 1 more victory.

Under Pressure: In 58 career apps and 47 starts in September/October is 22-11, 3.40 (315.1ip, 119er).

Workhorse: In each of the previous 5 seasons produced at least 32 starts and 200 innings pitched...has 30 starts and 197.2 innings pitched...is 1 of only 4 pitchers to record at least 200 innings in each of the previous 5 seasons, joining Dan Haren(202ip in 2010), Javier Vazquez (148.2 in 2010) and Mark Buehrle (187.1ip in 2010)...since he was acquired by the Reds prior to the 2006 season leads all Major League pitchers with 166 starts (tied w/ Dan Haren) and leads the National League with 1069.1 innings pitched.

"That's Bob Gibson and Ferguson Jenkins right there.  You don't think of Bronson as being one of the big boys.  He just don't have the stuff the big boys have.  He is one of the big boys.  The main thing is how many of those games did we win.  It's being as consistent as you can get right there," Baker said.