Jesse Chavez and the Search for Run Support
By Nick Avila
Jesse Chavez has been one of the few players the Oakland Athletics can rely upon so far in 2015, with a 2.44 ERA and a 1.065 WHIP through the first two months of the season. Chavez also holds a minuscule 1-5 record. His record would be far more impressive if he had any type of run support behind him.
In his seven starts, Chavez has been searching for run support as the A’s have offered him 13 runs; that equals up to 1.86 earned runs per start, which is second-lowest in the league.
His 1.05 runs per game (not just starts) support is worst in the MLB.
Jesse Chavez: His 1.05 run-support average is the lowest in the majors
— Sportsfeedia.com (@sportsfeedia) May 31, 2015
His last outing, which was one of his most impressive as he pitched eight strong innings allowing just one unearned run, became his fifth loss loss of the season after the A’s failed to supply Chavez with any runs and the A’s fell to the Detroit Tigers 1-0.
Chavez was passed up for a starting spot in the A’s rotation to begin the season, but with Kendall Gravemen being sent to AAA at the end of April, Chavez was once again implanted into the rotation. For now, it seems he’s tightly gripping the opportunity.
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In his seven starts, he’s pitched five quality starts and has allowed two runs or less in four. However, his only win came against the Minnesota Twins on May 5, when he pitched 7 1/3 innings.
Chavez has offered some stability to the A’s rotation, which has been somewhat depleted due to injuries in the past year. Jarrod Parker and A.J. Griffin both had Tommy John surgery last season which allowed Chavez to get his first opportunity in the A’s rotation and this season Sean Nolin was acquired, but was unable to compete for a starting spot due to an aggravation to a prior sports hernia injury.
As stated, Chavez didn’t get a starting job as he was passed for Drew Pomeranz when the season started. But, with Gravemen’s original send down (he’s now returned to the A’s rotation), Jesse Hahn‘s blister issue and now what seems to be a Scott Kazmir shoulder injury, Chavez has been as sturdy as ace Sonny Gray in the rotation.
Last season Chavez started the year 4-1 with a 2.54 ERA before he eventually lost steam in the later months, but this year he says he’s more prepared for the long haul that a starting pitcher has throughout 162-game season. Hopefully, the A’s bats can give him some help sooner rather than later.