I wonder what's the record for most consecutive seasons pitched with 200+ inning? I guess we'd need a modern record, since, not that many years ago, 200 inning was nothing for a starting pitcher. I'd have to believe that Mark Buehrle has the longest active streak. 12 years in a row he's pitched beyond 200 innings.

Update: After checking it looks like the AL record for consecutive 200 inning seasons is 13, shared by Hall of Fame pitcher Eddie Plank (1901 to 1913) (who had 4 consecutive 300 inning seasons) and Red Ruffing (1928-1940).

After last year, a pitcher that can do that is worth his weight in gold, though he might find harder to achieve in the AL East. He's been consistent in a lot of ways, he's made 30 to 35 starts each, ERA's running from 3.12 to 4.99. His walk rate has ranged from 1.5 to 2.5 per 9 innings and he keeps his home run rate around 1 per 9 innings. Add in he's won 13 games in each of the last 4 seasons. And he's won 4 Gold Gloves in the last 4 years.

So what will he do here? Bill James has him going 11-12, with a 3.78 ERA in 205 innings. I'd like to think that, if he can keep an ERA under 4, he'd win more than 11 game with our offense, but I have my doubts he'll keep the ERA under 4.

I'll guess 4.45 ERA, 15-9, in 201 innings to keep the streak alive. I also think that we'll love him or at least like him.

Your turn.