1. What is Earned Run Average (ERA)?

ERA 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. It's one of the most commonly used statistics for evaluating pitchers.

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 pitched
• 9 — Represents a standard 9-inning baseball game

Explanation: The formula scales the earned runs to a standard 9-inning game to allow comparison between pitchers.

3. Importance of ERA in Baseball

Details: ERA is crucial for evaluating pitcher performance, comparing pitchers across different teams and eras, and making strategic decisions about pitcher usage.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter total earned runs allowed (whole number) and innings pitched (can include fractions 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 FIP?
A: FIP (Fielding Independent Pitching) focuses only on outcomes the pitcher controls (HR, BB, HBP, SO) while ERA includes all earned runs.

Q3: Why multiply by 9 in the formula?
A: This standardizes the statistic to a full 9-inning game regardless of how many innings the pitcher actually threw.

Q4: What's the difference between earned and unearned runs?
A: Earned runs are those that score without benefit of errors or passed balls, while unearned runs result from defensive miscues.

Q5: Can ERA be negative?
A: No, ERA cannot be negative as both earned runs and innings pitched are positive values in the calculation.