It's 2030. In between fighting the Great Water Wars, you and your buddies sit down and one asks "Hey, who do you think was the best pitcher of the 2010's?
Now, immediately my reflex goes to Clayton Kershaw, duh.
And, looking more in depth, I still think it's almost impossible to choose anyone but Kershaw.
.958 overall WHIP, 166 ERA+, 2.57 FIP 2010-2019 thus far. GOD DAMN. I'm gonna point out Scherzer's killer 5 year run and it's still not as good numbers as Kershaw has done for the whole decade...
His 2013-2017 numbers are stupid. .873 WHIP, 192 ERA+, 2.21 FIP. He's been so good for so long, that it makes you think his last 2 years have been pedestrian when they are 140/147 ERA+ and still top 12-15.
Other than Pedro's 1999-2003 probably the best 5 year stretch in modern history. (.905 WHIP, 228 ERA+, 1.95 FIP SWEET MOTHER OF GOD) When someone asks who you'd like to go back into time and watch, my answer is I want to go back to 1999-2003 because as much as I admired Pedro, I didn't truly appreciate what he was that 5 years.
That said...
Scherzer is definitely making a case the last 5 years. He has improved every year since joining the Nats. 5 straight <1.000 WHIP, 161 ERA+ It will be interesting to see if he can keep this up. It's more interesting to see whether or not Kershaw just simply remains a top 3-4 pitcher or can get back to his 2013-17 self. His first 5 years were very very good, but just not at the level of Kershaw is even now.
Couple other names that are in the mix.
Verlander had a bit of a dip there, but man he's been super in Houston. Forget how good he was, his 2011 season is monstrous.
And a name I'll throw out there that should get more attention is Greinke. He's been very very good for a long time, and if anything he's improved in AZ. That 2015 season is nuts.
Felix would have been my prediction had you asked me in 2010, but he's been good but not great for a while...
Anyone else I'm missing? Anyone willing to pick someone other than Kershaw?
