The importance of a quality start
A starting pitcher records a quality start when he pitches at least six innings and allows three earned runs or fewer. A starting pitcher has two jobs: to prevent runs and get outs. The quality start statistic helps to quantify which pitchers did a "quality" job in those two departments. - MLB
How important is it for starting pitchers to have a quality start? Look no further than this stat, the Braves have won 24 games in a row when their starting pitcher goes at least six innings. That broke a record that they shared with the 1935 Cubs and the 1931 Philadelphia Athletics.
As we close in on the end of the regular season, the Braves are still searching for consistency as far as starting pitching is concerned. We have Max Fried, Spencer Strider, Charlie Morton, and Bryce Elder, but any of them can be Jekyll or Hyde during any start. Max Fried looked good yesterday, but now he has been shut down for the next 15 days. Charlie Morton left last night's game, and his status is still up in the air.
We haven't even discussed the impact that a quality start has on your bullpen. When a starting pitcher goes six innings or more and allows three runs or less, that sets up the best part of your bullpen to do what they're paid to do. Come in and close out close games. If Fried goes six innings, the Braves have the opportunity to go with some combination of A.J. Minter, Joe Jimenez, Kirby Yates, and Raisel Iglesias.
That is if the game is close. If the game is already out of hand, that gives you a chance to rest those guys and save them for a night when you need them.
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