Let's look at some of the great staffs of history. First is one that Bill remembers all too well
1954 Cleveland Indians
111-43 (yes, 111 wins)
93 wins between their regular starters
Code:
W L ERA
Early Wynn 23 11 2.73
Mike Garcia 19 8 2.64
Bob Lemon 23 7 2.72
Art Houtteman 15 7 3.35
Bob Feller 13 3 3.09
Lost World Series (4-0) to New York Giants
When your team piles up 111 wins, it's inevitable that the starters are going to pile up impressive W-L records. But the wins were deserved: Garcia, Lemon, and Wynn finished 1-3-4 in the league ERA standings, and 1-3-4 in adjusted ERA+. Lemon was first and Wynn third in complete games, and Garcia tied for the AL lead with five shutouts. Their combined ERA was 2.86, compared to a league average of 3.72.
This was an old staff, with an average age of 32, but who wouldn't take an older staff with three future Hall of Famers (Wynn, Lemon and Feller)? The starters got hammered when the Giants swept them in the World Series, but with the Indians' hitters mustering only nine runs, even their best efforts might have been doomed.