[St Charles Owl]

Why do the pitchers need so much rest?

Teams generally have 5 starting pitchers who do the bulk of the work, the teams play a 162 game schedule with about 15-20 off days, teams generally play at least 6 times a week, that's why they have the rest.

A starting pitcher will throw roughly 225 innings these days which equates to 30 games per starting pitcher.

It was different when Baseball began in the late 1800's, some pitchers threw 600 innings and played 60-70 games.

The starter is just about the  only pitcher who needs a few days rest.  For most games the starter will throw between 80 and 120 pitches, and for most of those they are throwing at full velocity, nowadays they really don't have much chance to toss a few slower ones in, everything is done at full speed.  If you don't give the pitcher at least a couple of days rest after that he will blow his arm out, usually at the elbow, and when that happens they will require surgery to rebuild the elbow and will miss more than a full season!!  Check out this video of Zack Greinke pitching for the Dodgers, you can see the whole body effort that is put into each pitch, and every pitch is delivered with the same effort.



For pitchers, think Sam Hutchinson and his knees, don't give him rest and he will get injured!!!