"The complete game is all but dead -- no pitcher has more than one nine-inning complete game this season. One hundred pitches is now viewed as the top limit for a pitch count, with pitchers rarely exceeding 110 -- Randy Johnson had more 110-pitch outings just in 1993 than every starter combined in 2025. Pitchers get more days off between starts. And the list goes on."
"Skenes, who's the heavy favorite to win the NL Cy Young Award and should finish with the highest WAR for a Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher since the lively ball era began in 1920, has an MLB-best 2.03 ERA while leading the NL in strikeouts and WAR. He has had 11 scoreless outings this season -- but his win-loss record is just 10-10."
Starting pitchers in 2025 operate under markedly different expectations than in past decades, with complete games nearly gone and strict pitch-count and rest limits. Historic season totals like 16 complete games or double-digit shutouts are now rare or nonexistent. Modern aces can lead leagues in ERA, strikeouts and WAR while accumulating modest win totals and fewer innings. Workload management, more days off between starts and caution around 100–110 pitches shape usage patterns. Comparisons between 1985-era performances and 2025 seasons highlight the evolution of pitcher roles, outcomes, and statistical profiles in contemporary baseball.
Read at ESPN.com
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