R.A. Dickey - Who Is He Like?

Today, I look at the 20 most similar pitchers for R.A. Dickey.  And by similar, I mean the three skill based stats of K/9, BB/9 and GB/FB over the past two years with a heavier weight given to the 2012 season (over the 2011).  Now Dickey had what some would call a breakout year in 2012, so his 2011 stats which are weighted lower, bring down his numbers slightly.  But in most likeliehood, Dickey is not going to repeat his 2012 numbers, so I think all is well here.  So what kind of skillset (age and pitch repetoire withstanding) compares to Dickey's?

Anibal Sanchez, Is He Any Good?

Yes.  Yes he is.  He seems to be a good value play as a free agent this off-season.  He doesn't have the glitz and glamour but he has the arm and a solid group of comparable pitchers for his three most important skill based peripherals.  While his K/9 is down from his 2011 campaign, he did walk less batters and raise his GB/FB ratio.  Anibal Sanchez is going to make some team a nice little starting pitcher.  Who will be the lucky suitor.

Top 20 Most Similar Starting Pitchers

Rank	Name	K/9	BB/9	GB/FB
NA	Anibal Sanchez	8.29	2.49	1.37
1	Josh Johnson	7.87	3.05	1.52
2	Clayton Kershaw	9.26	2.34	1.27
3	Roy Halladay	8.03	1.73	1.51
4	Justin Verlander	9.01	2.18	1.09
5	Cole Hamels	8.71	2.06	1.36
6	Ryan Vogelsong	7.33	3.02	1.21
7	James Shields	8.55	2.32	1.59
8	Josh Beckett	7.46	2.62	1.08
9	CC Sabathia	8.81	2.12	1.56
10	Vance Worley	7.51	3.10	1.35
11	Madison Bumgarner	8.32	2.09	1.41
12	R.A. Dickey	7.82	2.18	1.43
13	Matt Garza	8.68	2.83	1.42
14	Chris Carpenter	7.15	2.03	1.49
15	Felix Hernandez	8.62	2.33	1.68
16	Mat Latos	8.18	2.80	1.18
17	David Price	8.75	2.52	1.61
18	Yovani Gallardo	9.00	3.19	1.41
19	Edwin Jackson	7.50	2.78	1.35
20	Zack Greinke	9.17	2.32	1.64

Note: Peripherals are 2011 and 2012 stats, with the 2012 stats carrying a weight of 5 and the 2011 stats carrying a weight of 3.

Tommy Hanson, Why You Hating On Me

The big news for the Angels was the trade for Tommy Hanson. Hanson has had his ups and downs over the past year, regressing a little bit from the hot start his career got off to. Nonetheless, he has still posted some pretty good peripherals over the past two seasons. Looking at his numbers over the past two years, while giving more weight to the most recent season, Hanson has still put up some pretty decent numbers. Hanson's tendancy is to be more of a fly ball pitcher, which makes his higher than normal walk rate a little troubling... hopefully Angels Stadium can help suppress that. Overall, I think the trade was a good one for the Angels. They need starting pitching and Hanson is better than he is given credit for. His closest comparable pitchers "skill-wise" are strike-out machines who are a little on the wild side.

Top 20 Most Similar Starting Pitchers

Rank	Name	K/9	BB/9	GB/FB
NA	Tommy Hanson	8.79	3.52	1.00
1	Matt Moore	9.07	4.08	0.87
2	Erik Bedard	8.57	3.77	1.23
3	Brandon Beachy	9.20	3.07	0.87
4	Michael Pineda	9.11	2.89	0.81
5	Bud Norris	8.71	3.48	1.00
6	James McDonald	7.77	3.78	0.96
7	Felipe Paulino	8.95	3.61	1.23
8	Brandon Morrow	8.93	3.20	0.95
9	Ryan Dempster	8.18	3.10	1.23
10	Lance Lynn	9.19	3.28	1.39
11	J.A. Happ	8.48	3.93	0.97
12	Felix Doubront	9.34	3.97	1.32
13	Jarrod Parker	6.87	3.11	1.44
14	Josh Johnson	7.87	3.05	1.52
15	Clayton Kershaw	9.26	2.34	1.27
16	Justin Verlander	9.01	2.18	1.09
17	Tim Lincecum	9.17	4.03	1.49
18	Cole Hamels	8.71	2.06	1.36
19	Ryan Vogelsong	7.33	3.02	1.21
20	James Shields	8.55	2.32	1.59

Zack Greinke, All I Want For Christmas

The Dodgers are a leading candidate to land free agent Zack Greinke, so let me take a look at his comparables.  Remember I am looking at three of the most skill related peripherals, and taking data from both the 2011 and 2012 season with a heavier weight on the 2012 numbers.  The Dodgers would love to have a second starting pitcher who can come close to matching the skillset and results of Clayton Kershaw.  If you are going to spend all this money, you mind as well make sure you've loaded your team to the brink of being a heavy favorite.  A healthy Zach Greinke would do just that.  His peripherals on the K/9 and BB/9 are almost an exact match of those of Kershaw.  Greinke has a better GB/FB ratio than Kershaw which in general is a good thing as less fly balls equals less homeruns.  The only draw back for a ground ball pitcher on the Dodgers might be Hanley Ramirez or Dee Gordon's glove out at SS.  But you can't hang that on the pitcher.  Ho! Ho! Ho!


Top 50 Most Similar Starting Pitchers

Rank	Name	K/9	BB/9	GB/FB
NA	Zack Greinke	9.17	2.32	1.64
1	Clayton Kershaw	9.26	2.34	1.27
2	Cole Hamels	8.71	2.06	1.36
3	James Shields	8.55	2.32	1.59
4	CC Sabathia	8.81	2.12	1.56
5	Madison Bumgarner	8.32	2.09	1.41
6	Matt Garza	8.68	2.83	1.42
7	Felix Hernandez	8.62	2.33	1.68
8	David Price	8.75	2.52	1.61
9	Anibal Sanchez	8.29	2.49	1.37
10	Chris Sale	9.00	2.36	1.39
11	Jeff Samardzija	9.30	2.89	1.35
12	Adam Wainwright	8.36	2.36	1.93
13	Jarrod Parker	6.87	3.11	1.44
14	Stephen Strasburg	10.97	2.55	1.31
15	Josh Johnson	7.87	3.05	1.52
16	Johnny Cueto	6.73	2.24	1.70
17	Roy Halladay	8.03	1.73	1.51
18	Cliff Lee	8.99	1.37	1.29
19	Justin Verlander	9.01	2.18	1.09
20	Ryan Vogelsong	7.33	3.02	1.21
21	Doug Fister	6.96	1.84	1.70
22	Ian Kennedy	8.06	2.32	0.92
23	Matt Cain	7.68	2.27	0.96
24	Josh Beckett	7.46	2.62	1.08
25	C.J. Wilson	7.95	3.63	1.63
26	Vance Worley	7.51	3.10	1.35
27	Hiroki Kuroda	6.97	2.13	1.56
28	Gio Gonzalez	9.14	3.67	1.52
29	Jordan Zimmermann	7.01	1.90	1.16
30	R.A. Dickey	7.82	2.18	1.43
31	Chris Carpenter	7.15	2.03	1.49
32	Mat Latos	8.18	2.80	1.18
33	Jon Lester	7.74	3.18	1.63
34	Daniel Hudson	6.99	2.12	1.06
35	Wandy Rodriguez	6.67	2.73	1.44
36	Yovani Gallardo	9.00	3.19	1.41
37	Jaime Garcia	7.25	2.27	1.99
38	Ivan Nova	7.10	3.02	1.55
39	Brandon Beachy	9.20	3.07	0.87
40	Roy Oswalt	6.58	2.07	1.31
41	Michael Pineda	9.11	2.89	0.81
42	Edwin Jackson	7.50	2.78	1.35
43	Derek Holland	7.52	2.80	1.18
44	Jeff Niemann	7.33	2.59	1.44
45	Wade Miley	6.75	1.88	1.26
46	Chad Billingsley	7.53	3.28	1.36
47	Felipe Paulino	8.95	3.61	1.23
48	Jon Niese	7.53	2.39	1.66
49	Dillon Gee	7.23	3.10	1.57
50	Gavin Floyd	7.45	2.86	1.29

Links to other player comparables...

Clayton Kershaw
Josh Beckett
Chris Capuano
Aaron Harang
Ted Lilly
Chad Billingsley

Chad Billingsley, Handle With Care

Of the six Dodgers starting pitchers I have looked at so far, Billingsley probably has the fourth best set of comparables.  Falling behind Kershaw, Beckett and Capuano and ahead of Harang and probably Lilly.  Billingsley's strikeout rate is right up there with Beckett and Capuano but he walks quite a few more hitters.  Billingsley does however induce the most groundballs of any Dodgers starting pitcher which is a good thing.

Top 50 Most Similar Starting Pitchers

Rank	Name	K/9	BB/9	GB/FB
NA	Chad Billingsley	7.53	3.28	1.36
1	Jarrod Parker	6.87	3.11	1.44
2	Josh Johnson	7.87	3.05	1.52
3	Ryan Vogelsong	7.33	3.02	1.21
4	C.J. Wilson	7.95	3.63	1.63
5	Vance Worley	7.51	3.10	1.35
6	Matt Garza	8.68	2.83	1.42
7	Ervin Santana	6.85	2.98	1.15
8	Mat Latos	8.18	2.80	1.18
9	Jon Lester	7.74	3.18	1.63
10	Clay Buchholz	6.23	3.12	1.42
11	Wandy Rodriguez	6.67	2.73	1.44
12	Erik Bedard	8.57	3.77	1.23
13	Ivan Nova	7.10	3.02	1.55
14	Philip Humber	6.85	3.02	1.07
15	Edwin Jackson	7.50	2.78	1.35
16	Derek Holland	7.52	2.80	1.18
17	Jeff Niemann	7.33	2.59	1.44
18	Dillon Gee	7.23	3.10	1.57
19	John Danks	6.43	2.93	1.17
20	Gavin Floyd	7.45	2.86	1.29
21	Chris Narveson	6.88	3.67	1.17
22	Luke Hochevar	6.54	2.91	1.35
23	Ryan Dempster	8.18	3.10	1.23
24	Jason Hammel	6.92	3.41	1.58
25	Jake Arrieta	7.55	3.46	1.26
26	Matt Moore	9.07	4.08	0.87
27	Luis Mendoza	5.78	2.97	1.83
28	Clayton Kershaw	9.26	2.34	1.27
29	Johnny Cueto	6.73	2.24	1.70
30	Roy Halladay	8.03	1.73	1.51
31	Justin Verlander	9.01	2.18	1.09
32	Jered Weaver	7.13	2.15	0.76
33	Tim Lincecum	9.17	4.03	1.49
34	Cole Hamels	8.71	2.06	1.36
35	James Shields	8.55	2.32	1.59
36	Doug Fister	6.96	1.84	1.70
37	Ian Kennedy	8.06	2.32	0.92
38	Matt Cain	7.68	2.27	0.96
39	Josh Beckett	7.46	2.62	1.08
40	Ricky Romero	6.57	4.36	1.91
41	Jeremy Hellickson	6.02	3.17	0.97
42	CC Sabathia	8.81	2.12	1.56
43	Hiroki Kuroda	6.97	2.13	1.56
44	Nathan Eovaldi	5.97	3.72	1.40
45	Gio Gonzalez	9.14	3.67	1.52
46	Kyle Kendrick	6.17	2.27	1.32
47	Jordan Zimmermann	7.01	1.90	1.16
48	Madison Bumgarner	8.32	2.09	1.41
49	Ross Detwiler	5.57	2.68	1.59
50	Justin Masterson	6.80	3.39	2.16

Links to other player comparables...

Clayton Kershaw
Josh Beckett
Chris Capuano
Aaron Harang
Ted Lilly

Ted Lilly, Should He Stay Or Should He Go

There he is, Jered Weaver.  Showing up a third time as the number one comparable for a Dodger starting pitcher.  He was number one on the chart for both Josh Beckett and Chris Capuano.  I think with Lilly though this may be slightly misleading because the walk rates are quite a bit different, with Lilly walking 0.58 more batters per 9 innings than Weaver.  Where the difference is made up at is the heavy fly ball rates both pitchers have.

Top 50 Similar Starting Pitchers

Rank	Name	K/9	BB/9	GB/FB
NA	Ted Lilly	6.92	2.73	0.82
1	Jered Weaver	7.13	2.15	0.76
2	Ryan Vogelsong	7.33	3.02	1.21
3	Ian Kennedy	8.06	2.32	0.92
4	Matt Cain	7.68	2.27	0.96
5	Josh Beckett	7.46	2.62	1.08
6	Jeremy Hellickson	6.02	3.17	0.97
7	Ervin Santana	6.85	2.98	1.15
8	Daniel Hudson	6.99	2.12	1.06
9	Shaun Marcum	7.51	2.77	0.86
10	Alexi Ogando	6.66	2.25	0.95
11	Freddy Garcia	6.75	2.95	1.02
12	Randy Wolf	5.91	2.89	1.09
13	Philip Humber	6.85	3.02	1.07
14	Javier Vazquez	7.59	2.34	0.74
15	Bruce Chen	6.28	2.44	0.74
16	Derek Holland	7.52	2.80	1.18
17	Mike Minor	7.53	2.92	0.86
18	Jason Vargas	5.85	2.41	0.93
19	John Danks	6.43	2.93	1.17
20	Chris Capuano	7.65	2.48	1.04
21	Brett Cecil	6.84	3.21	0.85
22	Travis Wood	6.66	3.19	0.77
23	Carlos Villanueva	7.37	2.29	0.75
24	Phil Hughes	7.39	2.30	0.69
25	John Lackey	6.07	3.15	1.08
26	Wei-Yin Chen	7.21	2.67	0.88
27	Jarrod Parker	6.87	3.11	1.44
28	Josh Johnson	7.87	3.05	1.52
29	Clayton Kershaw	9.26	2.34	1.27
30	Justin Verlander	9.01	2.18	1.09
31	Cole Hamels	8.71	2.06	1.36
32	Jair Jurrjens	4.75	2.89	1.07
33	Vance Worley	7.51	3.10	1.35
34	Hiroki Kuroda	6.97	2.13	1.56
35	Nathan Eovaldi	5.97	3.72	1.40
36	Kyle Kendrick	6.17	2.27	1.32
37	Jordan Zimmermann	7.01	1.90	1.16
38	Dan Haren	7.25	1.63	1.05
39	Madison Bumgarner	8.32	2.09	1.41
40	Ross Detwiler	5.57	2.68	1.59
41	R.A. Dickey	7.82	2.18	1.43
42	Matt Garza	8.68	2.83	1.42
43	Brandon McCarthy	6.20	1.65	1.29
44	Kyle Lohse	5.82	1.76	1.13
45	Matt Harrison	5.81	2.60	1.54
46	Jeff Karstens	5.73	1.66	1.18
47	Chris Carpenter	7.15	2.03	1.49
48	Mat Latos	8.18	2.80	1.18
49	Jon Lester	7.74	3.18	1.63
50	Clay Buchholz	6.23	3.12	1.42

Links to other player comparables...

Clayton Kershaw
Josh Beckett
Chris Capuano
Aaron Harang

Aaron Harang, The Weakest Link

Next up on our journey through the Dodgers starting pitcher comparables is Aaron Harang.  One whiff of his comparables and you get a sense as to why Harang's name is being bandied around as a player who could be traded to make room for a top free agent signing to join the rotation.  Harang moreso than Capuano would be the pitcher you would want to trade from the Capang duet.  Harang strikes out an average amount of hitters but walks a ton of them.  His low GB/FB ratio does not match well with someone who walks so many hitters.  No ground balls to erase them on double plays and extra base runners to trot home on the fly balls that land in the bleachers.

Top 50 Similar Starting Pitchers

Rank	Name	K/9	BB/9	GB/FB
NA	Aaron Harang	6.57	3.83	0.96
1	Jeremy Hellickson	6.02	3.17	0.97
2	James McDonald	7.77	3.78	0.96
3	Chris Narveson	6.88	3.67	1.17
4	Brett Cecil	6.84	3.21	0.85
5	Travis Wood	6.66	3.19	0.77
6	Barry Zito	5.51	3.45	1.02
7	John Lackey	6.07	3.15	1.08
8	Matt Moore	9.07	4.08	0.87
9	Jarrod Parker	6.87	3.11	1.44
10	Josh Johnson	7.87	3.05	1.52
11	Ryan Vogelsong	7.33	3.02	1.21
12	Josh Beckett	7.46	2.62	1.08
13	C.J. Wilson	7.95	3.63	1.63
14	Jair Jurrjens	4.75	2.89	1.07
15	Vance Worley	7.51	3.10	1.35
16	Nathan Eovaldi	5.97	3.72	1.40
17	Ervin Santana	6.85	2.98	1.15
18	Mat Latos	8.18	2.80	1.18
19	Jon Lester	7.74	3.18	1.63
20	Clay Buchholz	6.23	3.12	1.42
21	Wandy Rodriguez	6.67	2.73	1.44
22	Shaun Marcum	7.51	2.77	0.86
23	Alexi Ogando	6.66	2.25	0.95
24	Freddy Garcia	6.75	2.95	1.02
25	Tommy Hanson	8.79	3.52	1.00
26	Jhoulys Chacin	6.55	4.09	1.54
27	Erik Bedard	8.57	3.77	1.23
28	Ivan Nova	7.10	3.02	1.55
29	Randy Wolf	5.91	2.89	1.09
30	Philip Humber	6.85	3.02	1.07
31	Bud Norris	8.71	3.48	1.00
32	Bruce Chen	6.28	2.44	0.74
33	Edwin Jackson	7.50	2.78	1.35
34	Derek Holland	7.52	2.80	1.18
35	Ted Lilly	6.92	2.73	0.82
36	Kevin Millwood	5.98	2.83	1.31
37	Jeff Niemann	7.33	2.59	1.44
38	Mike Minor	7.53	2.92	0.86
39	Chad Billingsley	7.53	3.28	1.36
40	Jason Vargas	5.85	2.41	0.93
41	Felipe Paulino	8.95	3.61	1.23
42	Dillon Gee	7.23	3.10	1.57
43	John Danks	6.43	2.93	1.17
44	Gavin Floyd	7.45	2.86	1.29
45	Jeremy Guthrie	5.28	2.64	1.07
46	Wade Davis	5.14	3.08	0.85
47	Chris Capuano	7.65	2.48	1.04
48	Luke Hochevar	6.54	2.91	1.35
49	Ubaldo Jimenez	7.81	4.41	1.15
50	Mike Pelfrey	5.06	2.87	1.44

Links to other player comparables...

Clayton Kershaw
Josh Beckett
Chris Capuano

Show Him Some Respect, The Chris Capuano Story

Next up on my look at the most similar pitchers to Dodger pitchers is Chris Capuano.  Capuano had a very good season for the Dodgers last year, though he did teeter out towards the latter part of the season.  Still, his peripherals were quite good and his good skills show up in this list of top notch pitchers in his list of comparables.

Just like Josh Beckett, Capuano's top four comparables are all the same.  In fact, Josh Beckett is Capuano's number five top comparable.  Beckett and Capuano both add solid depth to the Dodgers pitching staff.

Top 50 Similar Starting Pitchers

Rank	Name	K/9	BB/9	GB/FB
NA	Chris Capuano	7.65	2.48	1.04
1	Jered Weaver	7.13	2.15	0.76
2	Ryan Vogelsong	7.33	3.02	1.21
3	Ian Kennedy	8.06	2.32	0.92
4	Matt Cain	7.68	2.27	0.96
5	Josh Beckett	7.46	2.62	1.08
6	Jordan Zimmermann	7.01	1.90	1.16
7	R.A. Dickey	7.82	2.18	1.43
8	Ervin Santana	6.85	2.98	1.15
9	Mat Latos	8.18	2.80	1.18
10	Daniel Hudson	6.99	2.12	1.06
11	Shaun Marcum	7.51	2.77	0.86
12	Alexi Ogando	6.66	2.25	0.95
13	Freddy Garcia	6.75	2.95	1.02
14	Anibal Sanchez	8.29	2.49	1.37
15	Philip Humber	6.85	3.02	1.07
16	Javier Vazquez	7.59	2.34	0.74
17	Edwin Jackson	7.50	2.78	1.35
18	Derek Holland	7.52	2.80	1.18
19	Ted Lilly	6.92	2.73	0.82
20	Jeff Niemann	7.33	2.59	1.44
21	Mike Minor	7.53	2.92	0.86
22	Gavin Floyd	7.45	2.86	1.29
23	Homer Bailey	7.26	2.25	1.20
24	Ryan Dempster	8.18	3.10	1.23
25	Jake Peavy	7.84	2.01	0.86
26	Carlos Villanueva	7.37	2.29	0.75
27	Phil Hughes	7.39	2.30	0.69
28	Wei-Yin Chen	7.21	2.67	0.88
29	Jarrod Parker	6.87	3.11	1.44
30	Josh Johnson	7.87	3.05	1.52
31	Clayton Kershaw	9.26	2.34	1.27
32	Johnny Cueto	6.73	2.24	1.70
33	Roy Halladay	8.03	1.73	1.51
34	Cliff Lee	8.99	1.37	1.29
35	Justin Verlander	9.01	2.18	1.09
36	Cole Hamels	8.71	2.06	1.36
37	James Shields	8.55	2.32	1.59
38	Doug Fister	6.96	1.84	1.70
39	C.J. Wilson	7.95	3.63	1.63
40	Jeremy Hellickson	6.02	3.17	0.97
41	CC Sabathia	8.81	2.12	1.56
42	Vance Worley	7.51	3.10	1.35
43	Hiroki Kuroda	6.97	2.13	1.56
44	Kyle Kendrick	6.17	2.27	1.32
45	Dan Haren	7.25	1.63	1.05
46	Madison Bumgarner	8.32	2.09	1.41
47	Ross Detwiler	5.57	2.68	1.59
48	Matt Garza	8.68	2.83	1.42
49	Brandon McCarthy	6.20	1.65	1.29
50	Kyle Lohse	5.82	1.76	1.13

Previous Similar Pitcher Tables
Clayton Kershaw
Josh Beckett

Who Is Similar To Josh Beckett?

Well, next up on the Dodgers starting pitcher depth chart is Josh Beckett who came over to the Dodgers in their much belliehood trade with the Red Sox last year.  Below, are the Top 50 most similar pitchers "peripheral-wise", based on K/9, BB/9 and GB/FB over the past two seasons.

So are you impressed that his number one comparable pitcher is Jered Weaver who has gone 38-13 for the Angels over the past two seasons?  The big difference being that Weaver has outpitched his FIP/xFIP by quite a bit while Beckett has not.  Could be some luck involved there for Weaver or perhaps pitching in a ballpark that turns fly balls in to outs.  The two pitchers are at different points on the aging curve, but over the past two years their peripherals have been highly comparable.

2012 Top 50 Similar Starting Pitchers

Rank	Name	K/9	BB/9	GB/FB
NA	Josh Beckett	7.46	2.62	1.08
1	Jered Weaver	7.13	2.15	0.76
2	Ryan Vogelsong	7.33	3.02	1.21
3	Ian Kennedy	8.06	2.32	0.92
4	Matt Cain	7.68	2.27	0.96
5	Vance Worley	7.51	3.10	1.35
6	Jordan Zimmermann	7.01	1.90	1.16
7	R.A. Dickey	7.82	2.18	1.43
8	Ervin Santana	6.85	2.98	1.15
9	Mat Latos	8.18	2.80	1.18
10	Daniel Hudson	6.99	2.12	1.06
11	Wandy Rodriguez	6.67	2.73	1.44
12	Shaun Marcum	7.51	2.77	0.86
13	Alexi Ogando	6.66	2.25	0.95
14	Freddy Garcia	6.75	2.95	1.02
15	Anibal Sanchez	8.29	2.49	1.37
16	Philip Humber	6.85	3.02	1.07
17	Javier Vazquez	7.59	2.34	0.74
18	Edwin Jackson	7.50	2.78	1.35
19	Derek Holland	7.52	2.80	1.18
20	Ted Lilly	6.92	2.73	0.82
21	Jeff Niemann	7.33	2.59	1.44
22	Mike Minor	7.53	2.92	0.86
23	John Danks	6.43	2.93	1.17
24	Gavin Floyd	7.45	2.86	1.29
25	Homer Bailey	7.26	2.25	1.20
26	Brett Myers	6.60	2.40	1.42
27	Chris Capuano	7.65	2.48	1.04
28	Luke Hochevar	6.54	2.91	1.35
29	Brett Cecil	6.84	3.21	0.85
30	Ryan Dempster	8.18	3.10	1.23
31	Jake Peavy	7.84	2.01	0.86
32	Carlos Villanueva	7.37	2.29	0.75
33	Brian Duensing	6.13	2.48	1.21
34	Phil Hughes	7.39	2.30	0.69
35	Wei-Yin Chen	7.21	2.67	0.88
36	Jarrod Parker	6.87	3.11	1.44
37	Josh Johnson	7.87	3.05	1.52
38	Clayton Kershaw	9.26	2.34	1.27
39	Johnny Cueto	6.73	2.24	1.70
40	Roy Halladay	8.03	1.73	1.51
41	Cliff Lee	8.99	1.37	1.29
42	Justin Verlander	9.01	2.18	1.09
43	Cole Hamels	8.71	2.06	1.36
44	James Shields	8.55	2.32	1.59
45	Doug Fister	6.96	1.84	1.70
46	C.J. Wilson	7.95	3.63	1.63
47	Jeremy Hellickson	6.02	3.17	0.97
48	Jair Jurrjens	4.75	2.89	1.07
49	CC Sabathia	8.81	2.12	1.56
50	Hiroki Kuroda	6.97	2.13	1.56

Who Wants To Be A Kershaw-lionaire

Using 2011 and 2012 data and looking at K/9, BB/9 and GB/FB numbers I computed similarity scores for any starting pitcher who has thrown 150 or more innings the past two years.  Out fo the qualified starting pitchers here are the "Top 50" pitchers with the most similar numbers to Clayton Kershaw. I will have lists for other Dodgers pitchers up in the near future.  In this exercise I weighted the 2011 data by a factor of 3 and the the 2012 data by a factor of 5 as the most recent data has a slightly better representation of the pitcher's true talent level.  Keep in mind that this exercise is just looking at what I feel are the top three peripherals and does not base its similarity scores off of handedness, age or any other factors.

Kershaw's 2011 Top Similar Pitchers


2012 Top 50 Similar Starting Pitchers

Rank	Name	K/9	BB/9	GB/FB
NA	Clayton Kershaw	9.26	2.34	1.27
1	Justin Verlander	9.01	2.18	1.09
2	Cole Hamels	8.71	2.06	1.36
3	James Shields	8.55	2.32	1.59
4	CC Sabathia	8.81	2.12	1.56
5	Madison Bumgarner	8.32	2.09	1.41
6	Matt Garza	8.68	2.83	1.42
7	Mat Latos	8.18	2.8	1.18
8	David Price	8.75	2.52	1.61
9	Anibal Sanchez	8.29	2.49	1.37
10	Zack Greinke	9.17	2.32	1.64
11	Chris Sale	9	2.36	1.39
12	Jeff Samardzija	9.3	2.89	1.35
13	Jarrod Parker	6.87	3.11	1.44
14	Stephen Strasburg	10.97	2.55	1.31
15	Josh Johnson	7.87	3.05	1.52
16	Johnny Cueto	6.73	2.24	1.7
17	Roy Halladay	8.03	1.73	1.51
18	Cliff Lee	8.99	1.37	1.29
19	Jered Weaver	7.13	2.15	0.76
20	Ryan Vogelsong	7.33	3.02	1.21
21	Doug Fister	6.96	1.84	1.7
22	Ian Kennedy	8.06	2.32	0.92
23	Matt Cain	7.68	2.27	0.96
24	Josh Beckett	7.46	2.62	1.08
25	C.J. Wilson	7.95	3.63	1.63
26	Vance Worley	7.51	3.1	1.35
27	Hiroki Kuroda	6.97	2.13	1.56
28	Gio Gonzalez	9.14	3.67	1.52
29	Jordan Zimmermann	7.01	1.9	1.16
30	Dan Haren	7.25	1.63	1.05
31	R.A. Dickey	7.82	2.18	1.43
32	Ervin Santana	6.85	2.98	1.15
33	Chris Carpenter	7.15	2.03	1.49
34	Felix Hernandez	8.62	2.33	1.68
35	Jon Lester	7.74	3.18	1.63
36	Daniel Hudson	6.99	2.12	1.06
37	Wandy Rodriguez	6.67	2.73	1.44
38	Yovani Gallardo	9	3.19	1.41
39	Shaun Marcum	7.51	2.77	0.86
40	Alexi Ogando	6.66	2.25	0.95
41	Freddy Garcia	6.75	2.95	1.02
42	Tommy Hanson	8.79	3.52	1
43	Erik Bedard	8.57	3.77	1.23
44	Ivan Nova	7.1	3.02	1.55
45	Brandon Beachy	9.2	3.07	0.87
46	Philip Humber	6.85	3.02	1.07
47	Javier Vazquez	7.59	2.34	0.74
48	Roy Oswalt	6.58	2.07	1.31
49	Marco Estrada	8.94	1.81	0.78
50	Michael Pineda	9.11	2.89	0.81

Cory Luebke Budding Ace Or Mirage

Cory Luebke, the Padres 27 year old pitcher made news this spring signing a four year deal with the club. Luebke who didn't really show all that much promise in the minor leagues has impressed heavily in over 100 innings pitched as a starter in the big leagues. While it is a very small sample size (IP-116), Luebke's skill related numbers have been great. How great? Let's take a look at the closest comparables to Luebke using the pitching skilled related stats of K/9, BB/9 and GB/FB over the past two seasons. Like I mentioned above, keep in mind the small sample size and the high probability for some regression from Luebke. The comparables are interesting though.

	Cory Luebke	9.75	2.55	0.96
Rank	Pitcher	K/9	BB/9	GB/FB
1	Clayton Kershaw	9.46	2.78	1.04
2	Yovani Gallardo	9.34	3.07	1.29
3	Michael Pineda	9.11	2.89	0.81
4	Justin Verlander	8.88	2.42	0.98
5	Mat Latos	8.88	2.66	1.07
6	Josh Johnson	8.93	2.51	1.39
7	Brandon Beachy	10.57	3.04	0.77
8	Tim Lincecum	9.45	3.4	1.5
9	Zack Greinke	8.78	2.3	1.37
10	Mike Minor	8.7	2.95	0.92
11	Cole Hamels	8.62	2.24	1.37
12	Tommy Hanson	8.52	2.76	0.99
13	Erik Bedard	8.7	3.34	1.11
14	Jon Lester	9.17	3.56	1.65
15	David Price	8.44	2.96	1.16
16	Jered Weaver	8.43	2.15	0.71
17	Brandon Morrow	10.53	3.73	0.91
18	Felix Hernandez	8.45	2.55	1.72
19	Max Scherzer	8.25	2.9	1.02
20	James Shields	8.21	2.29	1.18

Aaron Harang, The Worst Of The Bunch

Time to move on and look at the comparables for the last Dodgers starting pitcher. Keep in mind I am looking at 2010/2011 data using the K/9, BB/9 and GB/FB stats. These stats are used because they are important skill stats, only slightly effected by such things as defense and park factors. Below are Aaron Harang's closest comparable starting pitchers along with links to the other four Dodgers pitchers I've already looked at.

Clayton Kershaw | Chad Billingsley | Ted Lilly | Chris Capuano

Rank	Name	K/9	BB/9	GB/FB
	Aaron Harang	6.6	3.03	0.96
1	Wade LeBlanc	6.47	3.15	0.82
2	John Lackey	6.34	3.07	1.18
3	Ervin Santana	6.92	2.89	0.98
4	Phil Hughes	6.88	2.96	0.76
5	Jeff Niemann	6.79	2.86	1.21
6	Brett Cecil	6.2	2.92	1.03
7	Travis Wood	6.85	2.83	0.68
8	John Danks	6.97	2.72	1.18
9	Randy Wells	6.17	3	1.28
10	Kevin Millwood	6.17	2.68	0.96
11	Johnny Cueto	6.37	2.71	1.35
12	Ryan Vogelsong	6.99	3.14	1.34
13	Johan Santana	6.51	2.49	0.76
14	Carlos Carrasco	6.54	2.87	1.56
15	Javier Vazquez	7.24	2.97	0.74
16	Jason Hammel	6.05	2.99	1.36
17	Jeremy Hellickson	5.93	3.18	0.79
18	Chris Narveson	7.25	3.3	1.05
19	Alexi Ogando	6.68	2.32	0.92
20	Jair Jurrjens	5.9	2.88	1.06
21	Clay Buchholz	6.32	3.44	1.5
22	Barry Zito	6.46	3.74	0.84
23	Brett Myers	6.93	2.53	1.41
24	Jeremy Bonderman	5.88	3.18	1.14
25	Luke Hochevar	6.07	2.96	1.51
26	Matt Harrison	6	2.94	1.44
27	Clayton Richard	6.15	3.46	1.42
28	Bruce Chen	5.85	3.12	0.74
29	Matt Cain	7.2	2.51	0.91
30	Brian Matusz	7.23	3.47	0.74
31	Brian Duensing	6.06	2.57	1.34
32	Randy Wolf	5.8	3.22	0.94
33	Edwin Jackson	7.26	3.09	1.47
34	Kyle Davies	6.47	3.89	0.98
35	Gavin Floyd	7.15	2.44	1.36
36	Philip Humber	6.59	2.16	1.31
37	Kevin Correia	5.77	3.1	1.41
38	Mike Leake	6.06	2.48	1.52
39	Joe Blanton	6.97	2.15	1.22
40	Daniel Hudson	7.18	2.18	0.98
41	Wade Davis	5.57	3.2	0.87
42	Chris Volstad	5.79	2.88	1.62
43	Jason Vargas	5.65	2.58	0.8
44	Shaun Marcum	7.34	2.27	0.88
45	Bartolo Colon	7.18	2.18	1.24
46	Derek Holland	7.61	3.2	1.3
47	Chris Carpenter	7.05	2.25	1.59
48	Roy Oswalt	7.34	2.27	1.25
49	Homer Bailey	7.69	2.73	1.07
50	Hiroki Kuroda	7.23	2.19	1.41
51	Dillon Gee	6.04	3.95	1.36
52	Tim Wakefield	5.49	2.75	0.82
53	Jake Peavy	7.59	2.43	0.99
54	Tim Stauffer	6.04	2.56	1.89
55	Freddy Garcia	5.47	2.65	0.98
56	Matt Garza	7.77	2.8	1.04
57	Carlos Zambrano	7.1	4.11	1.13
58	Ricky Romero	7.28	3.35	1.9
59	Jordan Zimmermann	7.07	1.92	0.99
60	Jon Garland	5.81	3.79	1.5
61	Dave Bush	5.4	3.36	0.94
62	Jaime Garcia	7.24	2.87	2.03
63	Ted Lilly	7.55	2.21	0.64
64	Justin Masterson	6.72	3.21	2.25
65	Chad Billingsley	7.66	3.63	1.44
66	Trevor Cahill	5.9	3.23	2.07
67	Ricky Nolasco	7.3	1.91	1.22
68	Chris Capuano	7.88	2.61	1.05
69	A.J. Burnett	7.6	3.85	1.35
70	Ian Kennedy	7.92	2.7	0.91
71	Jonathon Niese	7.78	2.89	1.65
72	Jeremy Guthrie	5.34	2.48	0.99
73	Kyle Lohse	5.3	2.47	1.13
74	Zach Britton	5.66	3.62	1.86
75	Ivan Nova	5.45	3.17	1.82
76	Brett Anderson	6.26	2.16	2.09
77	James McDonald	7.8	3.9	0.86
78	Wandy Rodriguez	8.02	3.19	1.39
79	Dallas Braden	5.47	2.05	0.99
80	Tom Gorzelanny	7.91	3.77	0.89
81	C.J. Wilson	7.92	3.52	1.51
82	Jake Arrieta	5.94	4.38	1.14
83	R.A. Dickey	5.57	2.24	1.74
84	Zach Duke	5.23	2.66	1.5
85	Rodrigo Lopez	5.13	2.5	0.97
86	Kevin Slowey	6.48	1.51	0.56
87	Josh Beckett	8.17	2.72	1.09
88	Scott Baker	7.99	2.24	0.8
89	Colby Lewis	8.19	2.71	0.77
90	Paul Maholm	5.15	2.9	1.72
91	Fausto Carmona	5.26	2.98	1.92
92	Max Scherzer	8.25	2.9	1.02
93	CC Sabathia	8.09	2.56	1.51
94	Derek Lowe	6.45	3.1	2.61
95	Madison Bumgarner	7.9	2.05	1.3
96	Anibal Sanchez	8.26	3.08	1.21
97	Charlie Morton	6.05	3.69	2.43
98	Jhoulys Chacin	7.66	4.04	1.83
99	Mike Pelfrey	4.95	3	1.4
100	Livan Hernandez	4.95	2.56	1.07
101	Armando Galarraga	4.95	3.54	0.8
102	Tim Hudson	6.02	2.64	2.57
103	Brandon McCarthy	6.49	1.32	1.45
104	James Shields	8.21	2.29	1.18
105	Dan Haren	7.76	1.66	1.05
106	Daisuke Matsuzaka	7.53	4.55	0.69
107	Bronson Arroyo	4.97	2.26	0.99
108	Doug Fister	5.55	1.62	1.43
109	Joe Saunders	4.81	2.84	1.23
110	Jake Westbrook	5.41	3.29	2.35
111	David Price	8.44	2.96	1.16
112	Mitch Talbot	5	3.91	1.34
113	Jeff Karstens	5.19	1.82	1.22
114	Jorge de la Rosa	8.22	3.84	1.55
115	Jason Marquis	5.05	3.16	2.1
116	Tommy Hanson	8.52	2.76	0.99
117	Dustin Moseley	4.74	3.05	1.51
118	Gio Gonzalez	8.23	4.09	1.4
119	J.A. Happ	7.53	4.8	0.8
120	Rick Porcello	4.91	2.19	1.65
121	Jeff Francis	4.95	1.96	1.38
122	Felipe Paulino	8.37	3.97	1.13
123	Adam Wainwright	8.32	2.19	1.68
124	Jered Weaver	8.43	2.15	0.71
125	Felix Hernandez	8.45	2.55	1.72
126	Brad Bergesen	4.56	2.79	1.2
127	John Lannan	4.86	3.43	2.03
128	Scott Kazmir	5.52	4.81	0.88
129	Ryan Dempster	8.6	3.62	1.27
130	Tommy Hunter	4.69	1.98	1.01
131	Cole Hamels	8.62	2.24	1.37
132	Ubaldo Jimenez	8.65	3.73	1.41
133	Francisco Liriano	8.62	3.64	1.66
134	Joel Pineiro	4.69	2.17	1.71
135	Josh Tomlin	4.98	1.51	0.82
136	Mat Latos	8.88	2.66	1.07
137	Kyle Kendrick	4.42	2.24	1.17
138	Zack Greinke	8.78	2.3	1.37
139	Mark Buehrle	4.5	2.04	1.23
140	Justin Verlander	8.88	2.42	0.98
141	Bud Norris	8.85	3.89	1.06
142	Josh Johnson	8.93	2.51	1.39
143	Roy Halladay	8.16	1.21	1.7
144	Michael Pineda	9.11	2.89	0.81
145	Brad Penny	4.13	2.69	1.58
146	Nick Blackburn	4.17	2.76	1.8
147	Rich Harden	8.63	4.76	0.68
148	Aaron Cook	4.35	3.58	2.32
149	Cliff Lee	8.56	1.21	1.21
150	Carl Pavano	4.45	1.56	1.64
151	Jon Lester	9.17	3.56	1.65
152	Yovani Gallardo	9.34	3.07	1.29
153	Clayton Kershaw	9.46	2.78	1.04
154	Tim Lincecum	9.45	3.4	1.5
155	Edinson Volquez	8.98	5.25	1.75
156	Jonathan Sanchez	9.36	4.95	1.01
157	Brandon Beachy	10.57	3.04	0.77
158	Brandon Morrow	10.53	3.73	0.91

Chris Capuano, Better Than You Think

It's time to look at one of the new additions to the Dodgers rotation and which pitchers around the majors have a similar skill set as him. Chris Capuano was signed as a free-agent after leaving the New York Mets. Capuano does have peripherals that compare to some pretty good pitchers like Ian Kennedy and Matt Garza. Capuano did put up much better stats at home than on the road but I am looking at three skill stats in which park factors do not play a big role in. Below are Capuano's closest comparables (using 2010 and 2011 stats, min of 150 IP).

Rank	Name	K/9	BB/9	GB/FB
	Chris Capuano	7.88	2.61	1.05
1	Ian Kennedy	7.92	2.7	0.91
2	Matt Garza	7.77	2.8	1.04
3	Homer Bailey	7.69	2.73	1.07
4	Josh Beckett	8.17	2.72	1.09
5	Jake Peavy	7.59	2.43	0.99
6	Colby Lewis	8.19	2.71	0.77
7	Scott Baker	7.99	2.24	0.8
8	Max Scherzer	8.25	2.9	1.02
9	James Shields	8.21	2.29	1.18
10	CC Sabathia	8.09	2.56	1.51
11	Madison Bumgarner	7.9	2.05	1.3
12	Anibal Sanchez	8.26	3.08	1.21
13	Tommy Hanson	8.52	2.76	0.99
14	Shaun Marcum	7.34	2.27	0.88
15	Ted Lilly	7.55	2.21	0.64
16	Roy Oswalt	7.34	2.27	1.25
17	David Price	8.44	2.96	1.16
18	Jonathon Niese	7.78	2.89	1.65
19	Wandy Rodriguez	8.02	3.19	1.39
20	Derek Holland	7.61	3.2	1.3
21	Matt Cain	7.2	2.51	0.91
22	Jered Weaver	8.43	2.15	0.71
23	Javier Vazquez	7.24	2.97	0.74
24	Gavin Floyd	7.15	2.44	1.36
25	Daniel Hudson	7.18	2.18	0.98
26	Bartolo Colon	7.18	2.18	1.24
27	Hiroki Kuroda	7.23	2.19	1.41
28	Adam Wainwright	8.32	2.19	1.68
29	Felix Hernandez	8.45	2.55	1.72
30	Cole Hamels	8.62	2.24	1.37
31	Edwin Jackson	7.26	3.09	1.47
32	Ricky Nolasco	7.3	1.91	1.22
33	John Danks	6.97	2.72	1.18
34	Chris Narveson	7.25	3.3	1.05
35	Dan Haren	7.76	1.66	1.05
36	Mat Latos	8.88	2.66	1.07
37	Ervin Santana	6.92	2.89	0.98
38	Zack Greinke	8.78	2.3	1.37
39	Brett Myers	6.93	2.53	1.41
40	Justin Verlander	8.88	2.42	0.98
41	C.J. Wilson	7.92	3.52	1.51
42	Joe Blanton	6.97	2.15	1.22
43	Chris Carpenter	7.05	2.25	1.59
44	Jordan Zimmermann	7.07	1.92	0.99
45	Ryan Vogelsong	6.99	3.14	1.34
46	Phil Hughes	6.88	2.96	0.76
47	Josh Johnson	8.93	2.51	1.39
48	Chad Billingsley	7.66	3.63	1.44
49	Travis Wood	6.85	2.83	0.68
50	Brian Matusz	7.23	3.47	0.74
51	Jeff Niemann	6.79	2.86	1.21
52	Tom Gorzelanny	7.91	3.77	0.89
53	Jaime Garcia	7.24	2.87	2.03
54	Alexi Ogando	6.68	2.32	0.92
55	Ryan Dempster	8.6	3.62	1.27
56	Ricky Romero	7.28	3.35	1.9
57	Michael Pineda	9.11	2.89	0.81
58	A.J. Burnett	7.6	3.85	1.35
59	James McDonald	7.8	3.9	0.86
60	Aaron Harang	6.6	3.03	0.96
61	Jorge de la Rosa	8.22	3.84	1.55
62	Philip Humber	6.59	2.16	1.31
63	Johan Santana	6.51	2.49	0.76
64	Ubaldo Jimenez	8.65	3.73	1.41
65	Francisco Liriano	8.62	3.64	1.66
66	Felipe Paulino	8.37	3.97	1.13
67	Carlos Carrasco	6.54	2.87	1.56
68	Wade LeBlanc	6.47	3.15	0.82
69	Johnny Cueto	6.37	2.71	1.35
70	Yovani Gallardo	9.34	3.07	1.29
71	Gio Gonzalez	8.23	4.09	1.4
72	Cliff Lee	8.56	1.21	1.21
73	Roy Halladay	8.16	1.21	1.7
74	Clayton Kershaw	9.46	2.78	1.04
75	Bud Norris	8.85	3.89	1.06
76	John Lackey	6.34	3.07	1.18
77	Jhoulys Chacin	7.66	4.04	1.83
78	Carlos Zambrano	7.1	4.11	1.13
79	Brett Cecil	6.2	2.92	1.03
80	Jon Lester	9.17	3.56	1.65
81	Kevin Millwood	6.17	2.68	0.96
82	Randy Wells	6.17	3	1.28
83	Justin Masterson	6.72	3.21	2.25
84	Tim Lincecum	9.45	3.4	1.5
85	Clay Buchholz	6.32	3.44	1.5
86	Barry Zito	6.46	3.74	0.84
87	Brian Duensing	6.06	2.57	1.34
88	Kevin Slowey	6.48	1.51	0.56
89	Mike Leake	6.06	2.48	1.52
90	Jason Hammel	6.05	2.99	1.36
91	Luke Hochevar	6.07	2.96	1.51
92	Kyle Davies	6.47	3.89	0.98
93	Brandon McCarthy	6.49	1.32	1.45
94	Matt Harrison	6	2.94	1.44
95	Clayton Richard	6.15	3.46	1.42
96	Brett Anderson	6.26	2.16	2.09
97	Jair Jurrjens	5.9	2.88	1.06
98	Daisuke Matsuzaka	7.53	4.55	0.69
99	Tim Stauffer	6.04	2.56	1.89
100	Jeremy Hellickson	5.93	3.18	0.79
101	Jeremy Bonderman	5.88	3.18	1.14
102	Bruce Chen	5.85	3.12	0.74
103	Randy Wolf	5.8	3.22	0.94
104	Derek Lowe	6.45	3.1	2.61
105	Chris Volstad	5.79	2.88	1.62
106	Kevin Correia	5.77	3.1	1.41
107	J.A. Happ	7.53	4.8	0.8
108	Jason Vargas	5.65	2.58	0.8
109	Dillon Gee	6.04	3.95	1.36
110	Rich Harden	8.63	4.76	0.68
111	Trevor Cahill	5.9	3.23	2.07
112	Wade Davis	5.57	3.2	0.87
113	Tim Hudson	6.02	2.64	2.57
114	Tim Wakefield	5.49	2.75	0.82
115	Freddy Garcia	5.47	2.65	0.98
116	Jon Garland	5.81	3.79	1.5
117	R.A. Dickey	5.57	2.24	1.74
118	Dallas Braden	5.47	2.05	0.99
119	Charlie Morton	6.05	3.69	2.43
120	Jeremy Guthrie	5.34	2.48	0.99
121	Doug Fister	5.55	1.62	1.43
122	Zach Britton	5.66	3.62	1.86
123	Kyle Lohse	5.3	2.47	1.13
124	Dave Bush	5.4	3.36	0.94
125	Ivan Nova	5.45	3.17	1.82
126	Jake Arrieta	5.94	4.38	1.14
127	Zach Duke	5.23	2.66	1.5
128	Brandon Beachy	10.57	3.04	0.77
129	Rodrigo Lopez	5.13	2.5	0.97
130	Jonathan Sanchez	9.36	4.95	1.01
131	Fausto Carmona	5.26	2.98	1.92
132	Jeff Karstens	5.19	1.82	1.22
133	Paul Maholm	5.15	2.9	1.72
134	Jake Westbrook	5.41	3.29	2.35
135	Brandon Morrow	10.53	3.73	0.91
136	Livan Hernandez	4.95	2.56	1.07
137	Bronson Arroyo	4.97	2.26	0.99
138	Edinson Volquez	8.98	5.25	1.75
139	Mike Pelfrey	4.95	3	1.4
140	Jeff Francis	4.95	1.96	1.38
141	Rick Porcello	4.91	2.19	1.65
142	Jason Marquis	5.05	3.16	2.1
143	Joe Saunders	4.81	2.84	1.23
144	Armando Galarraga	4.95	3.54	0.8
145	Josh Tomlin	4.98	1.51	0.82
146	Mitch Talbot	5	3.91	1.34
147	Dustin Moseley	4.74	3.05	1.51
148	Scott Kazmir	5.52	4.81	0.88
149	Tommy Hunter	4.69	1.98	1.01
150	John Lannan	4.86	3.43	2.03
151	Joel Pineiro	4.69	2.17	1.71
152	Brad Bergesen	4.56	2.79	1.2
153	Mark Buehrle	4.5	2.04	1.23
154	Kyle Kendrick	4.42	2.24	1.17
155	Carl Pavano	4.45	1.56	1.64
156	Nick Blackburn	4.17	2.76	1.8
157	Brad Penny	4.13	2.69	1.58
158	Aaron Cook	4.35	3.58	2.32

Nobody Wants To Be Ted Lilly

Next up on the Dodgers starting pitcher similarity scores is Ted Lilly the left handed pitcher for the Dodgers that has a tendency to give up a lot of fly balls which in turn leads to a souvenir bonanza for those fans brave enough to sit in the outfield bleachers.

Rank	Name	K/9	BB/9	GB/FB
	Ted Lilly	7.55	2.21	0.64
1	Shaun Marcum	7.34	2.27	0.88
2	Jake Peavy	7.59	2.43	0.99
3	Scott Baker	7.99	2.24	0.8
4	Daniel Hudson	7.18	2.18	0.98
5	Matt Cain	7.2	2.51	0.91
6	Roy Oswalt	7.34	2.27	1.25
7	Jordan Zimmermann	7.07	1.92	0.99
8	Chris Capuano	7.88	2.61	1.05
9	Ian Kennedy	7.92	2.7	0.91
10	Homer Bailey	7.69	2.73	1.07
11	Ricky Nolasco	7.3	1.91	1.22
12	Bartolo Colon	7.18	2.18	1.24
13	Dan Haren	7.76	1.66	1.05
14	Matt Garza	7.77	2.8	1.04
15	Madison Bumgarner	7.9	2.05	1.3
16	Joe Blanton	6.97	2.15	1.22
17	Colby Lewis	8.19	2.71	0.77
18	Javier Vazquez	7.24	2.97	0.74
19	Hiroki Kuroda	7.23	2.19	1.41
20	Gavin Floyd	7.15	2.44	1.36
21	James Shields	8.21	2.29	1.18
22	Jered Weaver	8.43	2.15	0.71
23	Josh Beckett	8.17	2.72	1.09
24	Alexi Ogando	6.68	2.32	0.92
25	Travis Wood	6.85	2.83	0.68
26	John Danks	6.97	2.72	1.18
27	Ervin Santana	6.92	2.89	0.98
28	Phil Hughes	6.88	2.96	0.76
29	Brett Myers	6.93	2.53	1.41
30	Max Scherzer	8.25	2.9	1.02
31	Chris Carpenter	7.05	2.25	1.59
32	CC Sabathia	8.09	2.56	1.51
33	Johan Santana	6.51	2.49	0.76
34	Jeff Niemann	6.79	2.86	1.21
35	Tommy Hanson	8.52	2.76	0.99
36	Philip Humber	6.59	2.16	1.31
37	Derek Holland	7.61	3.2	1.3
38	Chris Narveson	7.25	3.3	1.05
39	Jonathon Niese	7.78	2.89	1.65
40	Edwin Jackson	7.26	3.09	1.47
41	Anibal Sanchez	8.26	3.08	1.21
42	David Price	8.44	2.96	1.16
43	Kevin Slowey	6.48	1.51	0.56
44	Ryan Vogelsong	6.99	3.14	1.34
45	Adam Wainwright	8.32	2.19	1.68
46	Aaron Harang	6.6	3.03	0.96
47	Cole Hamels	8.62	2.24	1.37
48	Brian Matusz	7.23	3.47	0.74
49	Wandy Rodriguez	8.02	3.19	1.39
50	Justin Verlander	8.88	2.42	0.98
51	Zack Greinke	8.78	2.3	1.37
52	Wade LeBlanc	6.47	3.15	0.82
53	Felix Hernandez	8.45	2.55	1.72
54	Johnny Cueto	6.37	2.71	1.35
55	Mat Latos	8.88	2.66	1.07
56	Kevin Millwood	6.17	2.68	0.96
57	Carlos Carrasco	6.54	2.87	1.56
58	Cliff Lee	8.56	1.21	1.21
59	Jaime Garcia	7.24	2.87	2.03
60	Brett Cecil	6.2	2.92	1.03
61	John Lackey	6.34	3.07	1.18
62	Roy Halladay	8.16	1.21	1.7
63	Josh Johnson	8.93	2.51	1.39
64	Brandon McCarthy	6.49	1.32	1.45
65	C.J. Wilson	7.92	3.52	1.51
66	Tom Gorzelanny	7.91	3.77	0.89
67	Chad Billingsley	7.66	3.63	1.44
68	Brian Duensing	6.06	2.57	1.34
69	Michael Pineda	9.11	2.89	0.81
70	Randy Wells	6.17	3	1.28
71	Ricky Romero	7.28	3.35	1.9
72	James McDonald	7.8	3.9	0.86
73	Mike Leake	6.06	2.48	1.52
74	A.J. Burnett	7.6	3.85	1.35
75	Jair Jurrjens	5.9	2.88	1.06
76	Jason Hammel	6.05	2.99	1.36
77	Ryan Dempster	8.6	3.62	1.27
78	Luke Hochevar	6.07	2.96	1.51
79	Barry Zito	6.46	3.74	0.84
80	Matt Harrison	6	2.94	1.44
81	Jeremy Hellickson	5.93	3.18	0.79
82	Bruce Chen	5.85	3.12	0.74
83	Clay Buchholz	6.32	3.44	1.5
84	Brett Anderson	6.26	2.16	2.09
85	Jason Vargas	5.65	2.58	0.8
86	Jorge de la Rosa	8.22	3.84	1.55
87	Tim Stauffer	6.04	2.56	1.89
88	Jeremy Bonderman	5.88	3.18	1.14
89	Felipe Paulino	8.37	3.97	1.13
90	Carlos Zambrano	7.1	4.11	1.13
91	Kyle Davies	6.47	3.89	0.98
92	Ubaldo Jimenez	8.65	3.73	1.41
93	Clayton Richard	6.15	3.46	1.42
94	Clayton Kershaw	9.46	2.78	1.04
95	Randy Wolf	5.8	3.22	0.94
96	Francisco Liriano	8.62	3.64	1.66
97	Justin Masterson	6.72	3.21	2.25
98	Yovani Gallardo	9.34	3.07	1.29
99	Dallas Braden	5.47	2.05	0.99
100	Chris Volstad	5.79	2.88	1.62
101	Kevin Correia	5.77	3.1	1.41
102	Tim Wakefield	5.49	2.75	0.82
103	Gio Gonzalez	8.23	4.09	1.4
104	Freddy Garcia	5.47	2.65	0.98
105	Bud Norris	8.85	3.89	1.06
106	Jhoulys Chacin	7.66	4.04	1.83
107	Wade Davis	5.57	3.2	0.87
108	Doug Fister	5.55	1.62	1.43
109	Jeremy Guthrie	5.34	2.48	0.99
110	R.A. Dickey	5.57	2.24	1.74
111	Kyle Lohse	5.3	2.47	1.13
112	Jon Lester	9.17	3.56	1.65
113	Daisuke Matsuzaka	7.53	4.55	0.69
114	Tim Lincecum	9.45	3.4	1.5
115	Trevor Cahill	5.9	3.23	2.07
116	Dillon Gee	6.04	3.95	1.36
117	Derek Lowe	6.45	3.1	2.61
118	Dave Bush	5.4	3.36	0.94
119	Rodrigo Lopez	5.13	2.5	0.97
120	Jeff Karstens	5.19	1.82	1.22
121	Tim Hudson	6.02	2.64	2.57
122	Jon Garland	5.81	3.79	1.5
123	Zach Duke	5.23	2.66	1.5
124	Ivan Nova	5.45	3.17	1.82
125	J.A. Happ	7.53	4.8	0.8
126	Bronson Arroyo	4.97	2.26	0.99
127	Zach Britton	5.66	3.62	1.86
128	Livan Hernandez	4.95	2.56	1.07
129	Josh Tomlin	4.98	1.51	0.82
130	Jeff Francis	4.95	1.96	1.38
131	Paul Maholm	5.15	2.9	1.72
132	Fausto Carmona	5.26	2.98	1.92
133	Jake Arrieta	5.94	4.38	1.14
134	Charlie Morton	6.05	3.69	2.43
135	Rich Harden	8.63	4.76	0.68
136	Mike Pelfrey	4.95	3	1.4
137	Rick Porcello	4.91	2.19	1.65
138	Joe Saunders	4.81	2.84	1.23
139	Tommy Hunter	4.69	1.98	1.01
140	Armando Galarraga	4.95	3.54	0.8
141	Jake Westbrook	5.41	3.29	2.35
142	Jason Marquis	5.05	3.16	2.1
143	Joel Pineiro	4.69	2.17	1.71
144	Dustin Moseley	4.74	3.05	1.51
145	Brad Bergesen	4.56	2.79	1.2
146	Mark Buehrle	4.5	2.04	1.23
147	Brandon Beachy	10.57	3.04	0.77
148	Mitch Talbot	5	3.91	1.34
149	Kyle Kendrick	4.42	2.24	1.17
150	John Lannan	4.86	3.43	2.03
151	Jonathan Sanchez	9.36	4.95	1.01
152	Scott Kazmir	5.52	4.81	0.88
153	Carl Pavano	4.45	1.56	1.64
154	Brandon Morrow	10.53	3.73	0.91
155	Edinson Volquez	8.98	5.25	1.75
156	Brad Penny	4.13	2.69	1.58
157	Nick Blackburn	4.17	2.76	1.8
158	Aaron Cook	4.35	3.58	2.32

Chad Billingsley, A Mixed Bag

Using 2010 and 2011 data and looking at K/9, BB/9 and GB/FB numbers I computed similarity scores for any starting pitcher who has thrown 150 or more innings the past two years. Out of the 158 qualified pitchers here are the pitchers with the most similar numbers to Chad Billingsley. There are a mixed bag of pitchers who have a similar skill set as Billingsley. A.J. Burnett is not the best player to be comparable to in the world, yet C.J. Wilson isn't too bad. I will have lists for a few of the other Dodgers starting pitchers up in the next couple of days.

Rank	Name	K/9	BB/9	GB/FB
	Chad Billingsley	7.66	3.63	1.44
1	A.J. Burnett	7.6	3.85	1.35
2	C.J. Wilson	7.92	3.52	1.51
3	Derek Holland	7.61	3.2	1.3
4	Jhoulys Chacin	7.66	4.04	1.83
5	Wandy Rodriguez	8.02	3.19	1.39
6	Jorge de la Rosa	8.22	3.84	1.55
7	Tom Gorzelanny	7.91	3.77	0.89
8	James McDonald	7.8	3.9	0.86
9	Chris Narveson	7.25	3.3	1.05
10	Ricky Romero	7.28	3.35	1.9
11	Edwin Jackson	7.26	3.09	1.47
12	Gio Gonzalez	8.23	4.09	1.4
13	Jonathon Niese	7.78	2.89	1.65
14	Carlos Zambrano	7.1	4.11	1.13
15	Ryan Vogelsong	6.99	3.14	1.34
16	Brian Matusz	7.23	3.47	0.74
17	Anibal Sanchez	8.26	3.08	1.21
18	Felipe Paulino	8.37	3.97	1.13
19	Matt Garza	7.77	2.8	1.04
20	Ryan Dempster	8.6	3.62	1.27
21	Homer Bailey	7.69	2.73	1.07
22	Francisco Liriano	8.62	3.64	1.66
23	Ubaldo Jimenez	8.65	3.73	1.41
24	Max Scherzer	8.25	2.9	1.02
25	Javier Vazquez	7.24	2.97	0.74
26	Jaime Garcia	7.24	2.87	2.03
27	David Price	8.44	2.96	1.16
28	Josh Beckett	8.17	2.72	1.09
29	Ian Kennedy	7.92	2.7	0.91
30	Chris Capuano	7.88	2.61	1.05
31	Ervin Santana	6.92	2.89	0.98
32	CC Sabathia	8.09	2.56	1.51
33	John Danks	6.97	2.72	1.18
34	Jeff Niemann	6.79	2.86	1.21
35	Daisuke Matsuzaka	7.53	4.55	0.69
36	Phil Hughes	6.88	2.96	0.76
37	Colby Lewis	8.19	2.71	0.77
38	Bud Norris	8.85	3.89	1.06
39	Jake Peavy	7.59	2.43	0.99
40	Gavin Floyd	7.15	2.44	1.36
41	Kyle Davies	6.47	3.89	0.98
42	Tommy Hanson	8.52	2.76	0.99
43	Aaron Harang	6.6	3.03	0.96
44	Justin Masterson	6.72	3.21	2.25
45	Brett Myers	6.93	2.53	1.41
46	Matt Cain	7.2	2.51	0.91
47	J.A. Happ	7.53	4.8	0.8
48	Barry Zito	6.46	3.74	0.84
49	Clay Buchholz	6.32	3.44	1.5
50	Carlos Carrasco	6.54	2.87	1.56
51	Felix Hernandez	8.45	2.55	1.72
52	Travis Wood	6.85	2.83	0.68
53	Roy Oswalt	7.34	2.27	1.25
54	Wade LeBlanc	6.47	3.15	0.82
55	John Lackey	6.34	3.07	1.18
56	James Shields	8.21	2.29	1.18
57	Hiroki Kuroda	7.23	2.19	1.41
58	Shaun Marcum	7.34	2.27	0.88
59	Chris Carpenter	7.05	2.25	1.59
60	Clayton Richard	6.15	3.46	1.42
61	Jon Lester	9.17	3.56	1.65
62	Bartolo Colon	7.18	2.18	1.24
63	Scott Baker	7.99	2.24	0.8
64	Johnny Cueto	6.37	2.71	1.35
65	Daniel Hudson	7.18	2.18	0.98
66	Mat Latos	8.88	2.66	1.07
67	Adam Wainwright	8.32	2.19	1.68
68	Madison Bumgarner	7.9	2.05	1.3
69	Randy Wells	6.17	3	1.28
70	Ted Lilly	7.55	2.21	0.64
71	Joe Blanton	6.97	2.15	1.22
72	Dillon Gee	6.04	3.95	1.36
73	Rich Harden	8.63	4.76	0.68
74	Brett Cecil	6.2	2.92	1.03
75	Cole Hamels	8.62	2.24	1.37
76	Josh Johnson	8.93	2.51	1.39
77	Alexi Ogando	6.68	2.32	0.92
78	Luke Hochevar	6.07	2.96	1.51
79	Jason Hammel	6.05	2.99	1.36
80	Zack Greinke	8.78	2.3	1.37
81	Michael Pineda	9.11	2.89	0.81
82	Johan Santana	6.51	2.49	0.76
83	Derek Lowe	6.45	3.1	2.61
84	Ricky Nolasco	7.3	1.91	1.22
85	Yovani Gallardo	9.34	3.07	1.29
86	Justin Verlander	8.88	2.42	0.98
87	Matt Harrison	6	2.94	1.44
88	Tim Lincecum	9.45	3.4	1.5
89	Jered Weaver	8.43	2.15	0.71
90	Philip Humber	6.59	2.16	1.31
91	Kevin Millwood	6.17	2.68	0.96
92	Jon Garland	5.81	3.79	1.5
93	Jeremy Bonderman	5.88	3.18	1.14
94	Jordan Zimmermann	7.07	1.92	0.99
95	Charlie Morton	6.05	3.69	2.43
96	Jake Arrieta	5.94	4.38	1.14
97	Jeremy Hellickson	5.93	3.18	0.79
98	Trevor Cahill	5.9	3.23	2.07
99	Brian Duensing	6.06	2.57	1.34
100	Jair Jurrjens	5.9	2.88	1.06
101	Kevin Correia	5.77	3.1	1.41
102	Randy Wolf	5.8	3.22	0.94
103	Mike Leake	6.06	2.48	1.52
104	Tim Stauffer	6.04	2.56	1.89
105	Bruce Chen	5.85	3.12	0.74
106	Dan Haren	7.76	1.66	1.05
107	Chris Volstad	5.79	2.88	1.62
108	Clayton Kershaw	9.46	2.78	1.04
109	Zach Britton	5.66	3.62	1.86
110	Edinson Volquez	8.98	5.25	1.75
111	Brett Anderson	6.26	2.16	2.09
112	Jonathan Sanchez	9.36	4.95	1.01
113	Wade Davis	5.57	3.2	0.87
114	Tim Hudson	6.02	2.64	2.57
115	Ivan Nova	5.45	3.17	1.82
116	Dave Bush	5.4	3.36	0.94
117	Jason Vargas	5.65	2.58	0.8
118	Tim Wakefield	5.49	2.75	0.82
119	Freddy Garcia	5.47	2.65	0.98
120	Jake Westbrook	5.41	3.29	2.35
121	Roy Halladay	8.16	1.21	1.7
122	Scott Kazmir	5.52	4.81	0.88
123	R.A. Dickey	5.57	2.24	1.74
124	Fausto Carmona	5.26	2.98	1.92
125	Kevin Slowey	6.48	1.51	0.56
126	Brandon McCarthy	6.49	1.32	1.45
127	Cliff Lee	8.56	1.21	1.21
128	Zach Duke	5.23	2.66	1.5
129	Jeremy Guthrie	5.34	2.48	0.99
130	Paul Maholm	5.15	2.9	1.72
131	Kyle Lohse	5.3	2.47	1.13
132	Mitch Talbot	5	3.91	1.34
133	Jason Marquis	5.05	3.16	2.1
134	Dallas Braden	5.47	2.05	0.99
135	Mike Pelfrey	4.95	3	1.4
136	Armando Galarraga	4.95	3.54	0.8
137	Rodrigo Lopez	5.13	2.5	0.97
138	John Lannan	4.86	3.43	2.03
139	Doug Fister	5.55	1.62	1.43
140	Brandon Morrow	10.53	3.73	0.91
141	Livan Hernandez	4.95	2.56	1.07
142	Joe Saunders	4.81	2.84	1.23
143	Dustin Moseley	4.74	3.05	1.51
144	Brandon Beachy	10.57	3.04	0.77
145	Bronson Arroyo	4.97	2.26	0.99
146	Jeff Karstens	5.19	1.82	1.22
147	Rick Porcello	4.91	2.19	1.65
148	Jeff Francis	4.95	1.96	1.38
149	Brad Bergesen	4.56	2.79	1.2
150	Joel Pineiro	4.69	2.17	1.71
151	Tommy Hunter	4.69	1.98	1.01
152	Aaron Cook	4.35	3.58	2.32
153	Josh Tomlin	4.98	1.51	0.82
154	Kyle Kendrick	4.42	2.24	1.17
155	Mark Buehrle	4.5	2.04	1.23
156	Nick Blackburn	4.17	2.76	1.8
157	Brad Penny	4.13	2.69	1.58
158	Carl Pavano	4.45	1.56	1.64