1. What is ERA in Baseball?

ERA (Earned Run Average) is a statistic in baseball that measures a pitcher's effectiveness, calculated as the average number of earned runs given up by a pitcher per nine innings pitched.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the ERA formula:

Where:

• Earned Runs — Runs scored without benefit of errors
• Innings Pitched — Number of innings the pitcher has thrown (can include fractions like 6.2)
• 9 — Standard number of innings in a regulation game

Explanation: The formula normalizes the earned runs to a standard 9-inning game, allowing comparison between pitchers regardless of how many innings they've pitched.

3. Importance of ERA Calculation

Details: ERA is one of the most important statistics for evaluating pitchers. A lower ERA indicates a better pitcher. It's used for player comparisons, contract negotiations, and strategic decisions.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter earned runs (whole number) and innings pitched (can be decimal like 6.2 for 6⅔ innings). Both values must be valid (earned runs ≥ 0, innings pitched > 0).

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What's considered a good ERA?
A: In modern MLB, ERA below 4.00 is generally good, below 3.00 is excellent, and below 2.00 is exceptional.

Q2: How does ERA differ from WHIP?
A: WHIP (Walks + Hits per Inning Pitched) measures baserunners allowed, while ERA measures runs allowed. Both are important pitcher metrics.

Q3: Why multiply by 9 in the formula?
A: Baseball games are typically 9 innings long, so this normalizes the statistic to a full game standard.

Q4: What's the difference between earned and unearned runs?
A: Earned runs are those that score without benefit of errors or passed balls. Unearned runs don't count toward ERA.

Q5: Can ERA be negative?
A: No, ERA can never be negative since both earned runs and innings pitched are always positive numbers.