One of the biggest differences between the Reds’ pen and Tigers’ pen was that the 1975 Reds had a fourth option. Where three Tiger relievers logged 90 innings (although you can make a case for Dave Rozema, who split time), four Reds relievers logged 90+. The missing person from this whole thing is Pedro Borbon, who had a fine season as well. Not that I’m complaining…..

Anyway, it makes this a little more difficult to compare, because where Will McEnaney logged just over 90 innings, his opponent, Aurelio Lopez, logged a whopping 137 2/3. Regardless, McEnaney was Sparky’s left handed option out of the pen, and 1975 was his career year as only in his final season with the Cardinals in 1979 did he post an ERA+ above 100 like he did in 1975.

McEnaney threw in 70 games, which was one short of the lead league, and his fifteen saves was good for fourth. His WHIP wasn’t anything special (1.264), but his 2.47 ERA amounted to a solid ERA+ of 145. His hit rate was about one an inning, but he was stingy with the walks and the homers.

Let’s take a look at the number:

Innings Pitched 91
Wins 5
Losses 2
Saves 15
ERA 2.47
ERA+ 145
WHIP 1.264
H/9 9.10
BB/9 2.27
SO/9 4.75
HR/9 0.59
Pitching Runs Above Replacement 29
Stuff -2

The ERA, walk rate, and homer rate all topped Lopez, but Lopez struck out almost an extra batter and a half every nine innings, and his hit rate was a very solid 7.13. On top of that, he was a little better over almost 47 more innings. So I have to give this one to Senior Smoke.

Scorecard – 1975 Reds 7, 1984 Tigers 7

So we’re all tied up again, and we have the top relievers coming up. I have a bad, bad feeling about this. You can read Brian’s analysis of Aurelio Lopez at Tigerblog.

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