Although I live in the Chicago area and rarely get to see the Cardinals play live, you do not have to watch a game to know when a pitcher utterly dominates a team, which is just what Shelby Miller did on Friday night.
Against a pretty good hitting Rockies team (2nd in the NL in runs scored), Miller gave up a leadoff hit in the first, then proceeded to retire the next 27 batters in a row (13 via strikeout).
Not to be outdone, Adam Wainwright followed up Miller's performance with 7.1 innings of no-hit ball on Saturday.
Not since the Dizzy and Daffy Dean halcyon days have we seen such dominant performances back-to-back by Cardinals pitchers.
Back in September of 1934, Dizzy Dean, pitching the first game of a double-header, had a no-hitter through 8.2 innings before giving up 3 hits. His brother Paul "Daffy" Dean then proceeded to throw a no-hitter in the nightcap.
After the game, Dizzy quipped "If Paul had told me he was going to pitch a no-hitter, I would`ve pitched one, too."
Miller now has a 1.58 ERA on the season (237 ERA+). He has struck out 51 batters in 45.2 IP (10.1 K/9), given up only 29 hits and walked just 11. While Wainwright has a better K/BB ratio (55/4), Miller has him beat in ERA, whip and is tied with Waino with an overall record of 5-2.
I figured Miller would be good this year, but I couldn't have imagined him being this good.
Miller will likely take some lumps this year, as teams adjust to him. But, since he's apparently been doing most of his damage using just his fastball and curve, he still has his change in reserve to use when that happens.
Overall, its been an impressive rookie season for Miller. I just wish I could see it.
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