The top two pitchers for the San Francisco Giants and Philadelphia Phillies are arguably the top tandems in the Major Leagues.
Each of these pitchers is an ace in his own right, but combined with the other, they make a great one-two punch for their respective teams.
In San Francisco, the Giants rode the strong arms and steely resolve of Lincecum and Cain to the 2010 World Series title.
Lincecum, a two time Cy Young award winner, compiled a record of 16-10 with a 3.43 ERA and 1.272 WHIP last season. For the third consecutive year, Lincecum led the league in strikeouts with 231, in 212 1/3 innings pitched.
Matt Cain was the steadiest pitcher in the Giants' outstanding rotation. He was solid during the regular season, as he went 13-11, with a 3.14 ERA and 1.084 WHIP ratio. Cain worked a career high 223 1/3 innings and struck out 177.
Where Lincecum and Cain really excelled was in the postseason. Lincecum had a record of 4-1 with an ERA of 2.43 and WHIP of 0.919. In 37 post season innings, Lincecum struck out 43.
Cain was even better in the postseason: In three postseason starts, Cain went 2-0. He did not allow an earned run in 21 1/3 innings and had a WHIP of 0.938.
In 2010, Roy Halladay won the Cy Young award with the Phillies, the second of his career. He compiled a record of 21-10 with an ERA of 2.44 and WHIP of 1.041. Halladay threw 250 2/3 innings in the regular season and struck out 219.
Cliff Lee began 2010 in Seattle, but was traded to the Texas Rangers in mid season. He compiled a 12-9 record between the two clubs. Lee had an ERA of 3.18 and WHIP ratio of 1.003. Lee has one Cy Young award to his credit.
In the 2010 postseason, Halladay was 2-1 with an ERA of 2.45 and an incredible WHIP of 0.773. Lee, was 3-2, losing his only two games against the Giants in the NLCS.
Halladay is off to a great start this season. In three starts, he is 2-0 with an ERA of 1.23. Lee's 2011 has not gotten off to as strong, as he is 2-1 with an ERA of 4.19. His WHIP is still excellent at 0.983.
Lincecum and Cain are off to great starts in 2011. The tandem is currently 3-1 and both have ERA's below 2.00.
Both tandems are outstanding and should do very well this year. However, there are three key factors that, I believe, give Lincecum and Cain the edge over Halladay and Lee, in 2011.
The San Francisco offense is much improved this year, whereas Philadelphia has lost Jayson Werth and Chase Utley is out for an indefinite period of time.
Throwing in the pitcher friendly AT&T Park is also a benefit to Lincecum and Cain. Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia is a hitter's park and that could detract from the numbers of Halladay and Lee.
The biggest factor, in my opinion is age. Lincecum and Cain are both 26 year old and in the prime pf their careers.
For the Phillies, Halladay is 33 and Lee is 32.
All four pitchers are outstanding, however, I give Lincecum and Cain the slight edge.
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