Submitted by whozat, Aug 8, 2007 16:11

"Of course, in '69 and '70 their pitchers threw 60 and 70 complete games and they had 3 and 4 20 game winners, respectively."

I think that you're underestimating the importance of this caveats. "A lineup can afford an out, provided they have mind-bogglingly good and durable starters" is not as strong a statement as simply "A lineup can afford an out". Adding "Oh, and it also helps if the out is a superlative shortstop" makes it even weaker. Can a good lineup with great pitching carry, say , the Wizard of Oz? Probably. Dougie M? The defensive upgrade from an Andy Phillips just isn't worth the offensive downgrade.

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