It’s been a great beginning of the season for Jordan Zimmermann, who just finished his third spectacular start in a row. He’s been solid all year, 
he’s only given up more than 2 ERs in a single game, when he went 9 IP and gave up 3 ER. His streak of greatness isn’t just fun to watch, it’s pretty historic for this team.
He just concluded a 3-start streak with an ERA under 1.00, something that hasn’t been done by many pitchers on this team. His 0.38 ERA in that 3 game span stacks up really well against the other guys who have done it, although his isn’t quite the best of such streaks. That belongs too… well, you’ll just have to list at the list.
Taking a look at the 3-start streaks, from worst ERA to best, JZimm only gets beaten out by one guy. And the guy isn’t exactly a household name, although long time Nats fans will remember him.
[button url=’#’ size=’small’ style=’blue’] 3-Start Streaks [/button]
- Tim Redding (7/22-8/3/08): 6 2/3 IP, 0 ER- – 6 IP, 1 ER — 6 1/3 IP, 1 ER (19 IP, 0.95 ERA)
- Ross Detwiler (4/6-4/17/13): 6 IP, 1 ER — 7 IP, 1 ER — 7 IP, 1 ER (20IP, 0.90 ERA)
- John Patterson (7/9-7/19/05): 7 IP, 0 ER — 6 IP, 2 ER — 8 IP, 0 ER (21 IP, 0.86 ERA)
- Livan Hernandez (4/11/10-4/22/10): 7 IP, 0 ER — 9 IP, 0 ER — 8 IP, 2 ER (24 IP, 0.75 ERA)
- Matt Chico (6/23-7/4/07): 6 IP, 1 ER — 6 IP, 0 ER — 7 IP, 0 ER (19 IP, 0.47 ERA)
- John Lannan (4/17-4/27/08): 6IP, 1 ER — 7 IP, 0 ER — 7 IP, 0ER (20 IP, 0.45 ERA)
- John Patterson (4/16-4/26/05): 7 IP, 0 ER — 6 IP, 0 ER — 7 1/3 IP, 1 ER (20 1/3 IP, 0.44 ERA)
- Scott Olsen (4/25-5/6/10): 7 IP, 0 ER — 6 IP, 0 ER — 7 1/3 IP, 1 ER (20 1/3 IP, 0.44 ERA)
- Jordan Zimmermann (4/26-5/08/13): 9 IP, 0 ER — 8 IP, 0 ER — 7 IP, 1 ER (24 IP, 0.38 ERA)
- Jason Bergmann (5/15-5/26/08): 7 IP, 0 ER — 7 IP, 0 ER — 5 2/3 IP, 0 ER (19 2/3 IP, 0.00 ERA)
Yeah, Bergmann! Streaks like this are probably a little more coincidental than a sign of a great pitcher, and that becomes apparent when you look at the names on this list. Gio and Strasburg didn’t do it last year. If you were in any doubt at how good Detwiler’s season started out this year, those first 3 starts make the list. And then… Olsen, Redding, Bergmann, Chico… much of the list reads like a list of Nats battlefield casualties or something. Although the one guy who pops up twice on the list, John Patterson, did it twice in 2005, and he a really great 2005 season.
Patterson actually went beyond just a strong 3 game start, in both instances, to have 4 starts in a row with an ERA under 1.00. There are only three 4-start streaks, the two by Patterson, and the one that JZimm is currently on.
[button url=’#’ size=’small’ style=’blue’] 4-Start Streaks [/button]
- John Patterson (4/10-4/26/05):
7 IP, 2 ER — 7 IP, 0 ER — 7 IP, 0 ER — 6 2/3 IP, 1 ER (27 2/3 IP, 0.98 ERA) - John Patterson (7/9-7/24/05):
7 IP, 0 ER — 6 IP, 2 ER — 8 IP, 0 ER — 8 IP, 1 ER (29 IP, 0.93 ERA) - Jordan Zimmermann (4/21-5/08/13):
5 IP, 2 ER — 9 IP, 0 ER — 8 IP, 0 ER — 7 IP, 1 ER (29 IP, 0.93 ERA)
As for 5 game streaks, well, there aren’t any. So if JZimm wants to be alone in holding the record for, um… let’s call it “most consecutive starts with a cumulative ERA under 1.00” all he’s gotta do is throw at least 7 1/3 IP and only give up 1 ER. Obviously, if he doesn’t give up any ER, then any amount if IP would work. For 2 ER, unfortunately, he’d have to make it through 1 out in the 17th inning. As good as he’s been, I just don’t think Davey’s ready to make that commitment.