Bumgarner's 2014 Postseason: By The Numbers

Photo: nbcsports.com

Let us dive into some postseason greatness.

The former World Series MVP had one of the greatest postseasons a pitcher could have in the history of Major League Baseball in the 2014 playoffs. He is one of four pitchers to win a League Championship Series MVP and World Series MVP in the same October. The others include Cole Hamels (2008), Livan Hernandez (1997), and Orel Hershiser (1988). To compare Bumgarner's statistical performance to those listed above, we reference Figure One below:

Figure One

While Hamels’ numbers during the 2008 postseason are highly impressive, as his SO/BB ratio was 2.6 and his WHIP was 1.074 in a combined 27.0 innings pitched. Of the four to accomplish this feat, Hernandez had lesser numbers. Although his SO/9 of 8.60 and ERA of 3.36 is great, his WHIP is above 1.300 and he allowed 1.5 home runs and 4.5 walks per nine innings in 24.1 innings pitched.

The only pitcher in Figure One that can challenge Bumgarner's success is Orel Hershiser in 1988 when he faced off against the New York Mets in the League Championship and the Oakland Athletics in the World Series. In referencing Figure One above, Hershiser had an ERA of 1.07, a WHIP of 0.900, and a SO/9 of 6.8. Although Hershiser's numbers are slightly higher than Bumgarner's in various categories, he pitched a combined 42.2 innings in the 1988 postseason, including three complete games and two shutouts. He also did not allow a home run in those innings.

The deciding factor, and why Bumgarner had the greatest postseason run in the history of Major League pitching, is because his ability to limit negative outcomes in the amount of innings he pitched was extraordinary. Bumgarner pitched a combined 36.2 innings in the 2014 LCS and Fall Classic. His RA/9 of 0.99, BB/9 of 1.0, HR/9 of 0.7, and WHIP of 0.608 are all highly impressive. He also was elite in creating positive outcomes, as his SO/9 was 7.2.

Winning MVP honors in a League Championship Series and World Series are incredible achievements. Achieving both in the same postseason, in the context of pitching, is exceptional. As we go By The Numbers, Madison Bumgarner definitively had the greatest playoff run a hurler could possibly have.

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