Win (baseball) facts for kids

In baseball, a win is a special achievement for a pitcher. It means their team won the game while they were pitching. This statistic helps show how well a pitcher contributes to their team's success. It's a key part of a pitcher's record.

What is a Pitcher's Win?

A pitcher's win is a statistic in Major League Baseball (MLB). It is given to the pitcher who is considered most responsible for their team winning. This stat is important for evaluating a pitcher's performance. It shows how often a pitcher helps their team get a victory.

How Does a Pitcher Get a Win?

The rules for a pitcher to earn a win can be a bit tricky. They depend on whether the pitcher started the game or came in later as a relief pitcher.

Starting Pitcher Wins

A starting pitcher usually needs to pitch at least five full innings. If they leave the game with their team in the lead, and their team keeps that lead until the end, the starting pitcher gets the win. If the starter pitches less than five innings, they usually cannot get the win.

Relief Pitcher Wins

Sometimes, a starting pitcher leaves the game without meeting the five-inning rule. Or, they might leave with the game tied or their team losing. In these cases, a relief pitcher can earn the win. A relief pitcher gets the win if they are the "pitcher of record" when their team takes the lead for good. This means they were pitching when their team scored the go-ahead run. They must also pitch effectively and not give up the lead.

Why Are Wins Important?

Wins are a traditional way to measure a pitcher's success. A pitcher with many wins often shows they are reliable. They help their team win games consistently. For many years, having a high number of wins was a main goal for pitchers. It helped them earn awards and get into the Hall of Fame.

Related Baseball Stats

Besides wins, pitchers also have other important statistics. A loss is given to the pitcher who is pitching when their team gives up the run that makes them lose the game. A save is a statistic given to a relief pitcher. They earn a save by protecting a lead in the final innings of a game. Wins, losses, and saves all help tell the story of a pitcher's season.