How do you Calculate ERA: Earned Run Average
Understanding ERA: A Guide to Calculating Earned Run Average
If you’re looking to do some number crunching and figure out how to calculate ERA you’ve come to the right place!
ERA or earned run average, is another way of saying “what a pitcher gives up per nine innings that he pitches.” With that being said, this is not to be confused with what EXACTLY crosses the plate every nine innings a hurler takes the hill. Keep in mind that unearned runs, which are runs that score with the benefit of a fielding error, are NOT added into the ERA calculation/formula. It should also be noted that when betting on games, this along with W.H.I.P. are the two most important variables we’re going to grade a pitcher with when we’re predicting the outcomes of baseball games.
BET ON MLB GAMES USING YOUR CREDIT CARD AT MYBOOKIE SPORTSBOOK!
ERA Formula
Add up a pitchers innings. An inning is three outs. If you see 6.1 or 6.2 that means 6.33 or 6.67 innings. Unlike some other baseball stats, we don’t round up when we’re talking about ERA.
Now add up all the earned runs the pitcher gave up during the innings he’s pitched. For arguments sake, lets say he gave up 3 earned runs.
Next, multiply the earned runs by 9.
Next, divide by the total innings pitched.
Example: A pitcher throws 5 innings and gives up 3 earned runs. We take the earned runs x 9 which gives us 27. We then divide this by the innings pitched which is 27 divided by 5 = 5.40.
In case you’re wondering what the good, bad and the ugly are ERA-wise in the big leagues it could be said that:
An earned run average of 2.00 or lower is an ace and a very sharp pitcher. Anything 3.00 or under is ROCK solid. An ERA of 3.00 to 3.50 is GOOD. Conversely, 4.00 to 5.00 is average and anything above 5.00 a guy is probably struggling to stay in the bigs and is getting hit pretty hard.
Related article: How to Calculate Batting Average
Got Questions? Feel free to drop us a line. We love to help people better understand American’s Pastime!
MLB Baseball Picks
- Dodgers vs. Yankees Game 5 Predictions: Can New York Force Game 6?
- Dodgers vs. Yankees Game 3 Predictions: Can LA Keep Rolling?
- Yankees vs. Dodgers World Series Game 2 Prediction and Analysis
- Yankees vs. Dodgers World Series Game 1 Predictions: Cole vs. Flaherty
- Guardians vs. Yankees ALCS Game 5 Predictions: Can Cleveland Extend the Series?
- Dodgers vs. Yankees Game 5 Predictions: Can New York Force Game 6?
- Dodgers vs. Yankees Game 3 Predictions: Can LA Keep Rolling?
- Yankees vs. Dodgers World Series Game 2 Prediction and Analysis
- Yankees vs. Dodgers World Series Game 1 Predictions: Cole vs. Flaherty
- Guardians vs. Yankees ALCS Game 5 Predictions: Can Cleveland Extend the Series?