Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
I suspect the unresolved Biogenesis scandal will count against him, but statistically speaking, the Oakland Athletics‘ Bartolo Colon should be an All-Star in 2013.
When the 40-year-old right-hander takes the mound, the Athletics are 11-3 this season. Individually, Colon owns a 9-2 record and a 2.89 ERA. His nine wins are tied for the second most in the American League, and he tops the league in fewest walks per nine innings (1.00). In 38 starts for the Atheltics, Colon has never once thrown a wild pitch — which seems rather fitting for a pitcher who appears eternally composed on the mound.
Since dropping back-to-back outings in early May, Colon has been nearly untouchable. He’s won six straight starts, which makes him the first Athletics pitcher to do so since Dan Haren in 2006. The last Athletics pitcher to win seven starts or more was Barry Zito in 2005.
Over his past six games, a stretch which has lasted 43 innings, Colon has recorded a 1.05 ERA and hasn’t allowed a home run. He has surrendered seven home runs on the season, but five of them came during the aforementioned two starts in May.
The unflappable big man will have another chance to add to his All-Star credentials tonight at Safeco Field against the Seattle Mariners, which works out nicely for the Athletics since Colon is, statistically speaking, the best pitcher in the history of Safeco Field with at least seven decisions.
In his career, Colon is 10-1 with a 1.91 ERA at Safeco. His 10 wins are the most for any visiting pitcher. He’s also a perfect 5-0 at night in 2013, and has yet to allow a stolen base this season.
Karl Buscheck is an Oakland Athletics writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @KarlBuscheck or add him to your network on Google+.
