Quality Starts (QS)

A quality start is a start where the pitcher essentially gives his team a chance to win by limiting the damage.

The requirements are 6 innings pitched and 3 earned runs or less.

As silly as it may be, that is an ERA of 4.50 or better.

This stat should be amended to say 6 innings and 2 or less runs or 7+ innings and 3 or less runs.

That way, a quality start would entail having an ERA under 4.00.

I digress.

Let's take a look at the pitchers who have provided their team with a quality start in every game they've started in 2008. All of the following pitchers have lasted at least 6 innings and have yet to give up more than 3 runs in a game.

Shawn Chacon - That's right, the Alaska native has gone 6 or more innings for the Astros in each start and is yet to give up more than 3 runs. His ERA stands at 2.45.

Tim Lincecum - He's thrown a QS in each of his 2008 starts. He's a quality starter so I guess that will happen. He fits a nice loophole because he pitched 4 innings in a rain delayed game in which, strategically, he didn't start the game. His 1.23 ERA and 36K's are making him look like a top 5 pitcher.

Brandon Webb - What's new?

Ervin Santana - Almost as surprising as Chacon, Santana is still a lot better at home (1.93) than on the road (3.73). If he can keep that road ERA below 4, instead of it's normal 6.00+, he could be in for a good year.

Jake Westbrook - He's been consistent, but if you look up boring or mediocre in the dictionary, you'll find a picture of Westbrook... along with Carlos Silva, Paul Byrd and Aaron Cook. He's also out for a few more weeks at least.

Cliff Lee - Ride the wave my friends. Trade him for a top 15 starter who is struggling.. like a Matt Cain.

Yovanni Gallardo - Albeit in only two starts, he's been phenomenal. The 0.64 ERA and 1.07 WHIP made his patient owners happy.

If you have any of the above pitchers on your roster you've got to be satisfied with their performances so far.

The more quality starts a pitcher has, the more he will help your fantasy team.

Going 6+ innings will increase strikeout totals and help those who have the high K/9 ratios.

giving up 3 runs or less generally provides your team with an ERA under 4.50, normally even lower than that.