But Brian Matusz is having an awful season. How could he break a Roy Halladay record?
Well, that’s because Roy Halladay once had a pretty terrible season himself.
Starting against the Tigers, Matusz gave up six runs in five innings on Sunday, just slightly increasing his ERA from 10.68 to 10.69. It’s the worst ERA ever for a pitcher who made at least 10 starts in a season.
1. Brian Matusz (Bal, 2011): 10.69 ERA in 49 2/3 IP
2. Roy Halladay (Tor, 2000): 10.64 ERA in 67 2/3 IP
3. Micah Bowie (Atl/ChC, 1999): 10.24 ERA in 51 IP
4. Aaron Myette (Tex, 2002): 10.06 ERA in 48 1/3 IP
5. Steve Blass (Pit, 1973): 9.85 ERA in 88 2/3 IP
6. Sean Bergmann (Min, 2000): 9.66 ERA in 68 IP
7. Andy Larkin (Fla, 1998): 9.64 ERA in 74 2/3 IP
8. Edgar Gonzalez (Ari, 2004): 9.32 ERA in 46 1/3 IP
9. Todd Van Poppel (Oak/Det, 1996): 9.06 ERA in 99 1/3 IP
10. Bryan Rekar (Col, 1996): 8.95 ERA in 58 1/3 IP
Since Matusz, who averaged barely more than four innings an outing in his 12 starts, came up one-third of an inning short, Halladay still holds the record of highest ERA for anyone with at least 50 innings pitched in a season. Matusz is the new record holder for guys with 40+ innings. Stu Flythe of the 1936 Athletics holds the record at 30+. He had a 13.04 ERA in 39 1/3 innings.