Best Pitcher

It is always difficult to compare pitchers' statistics and determine who is the best or most valuable. It is impossible to know how different pitchers would pitch if they are on different teams and put in different situations. Based on what I see from these statistics, in addition to what I already know, I would want Tim Lincecum on my team before any other pitcher. Chris Carpenter is certainly another contender, however I see Timmy's success on such a lousy offensive and defensive team as the most impressive hands down. Lincecum's particular advantages are in his strikeouts and strikeouts to unintentional walks ratio. Another particular stat that I think is important is innings pitched, in which Lincecum is in second. I am surely biased in picking Lincecum, but I think that being a diehard Giants fan, I get an appreciation for exactly what he has accomplished since he joined the majors. Also, based on the circumstances, I think Timmy's most impressive statistic is his wins. Sure, it is less than Carpenter as well as many other pitchers on the leader board. However, the fact that Lincecum can pull off fifteen wins, when he plays on a team that typically generates a run or two per game, is unheard of. No other pitcher in the major leagues could have led the Giants at the top of a stellar rotation to almost make the playoffs, when their hitting is just about the worst in the majors. I did not expect to see the Cy Young go to Tim Lincecum last season, but I do think it is well deserved as he has proven himself, and will hopefully lead the Giants to even more success in the 2010 season.