You know something that always sticks out to me about modern baseball? The lack of pitchers who lose 10+ games while also winning 10+ games. We all know about pitcher usage and how it’s changed, but something (the only thing, arguably) good about it is it creates some pretty interesting statistical footprints when compared to how the game was played five, ten, fifteen years ago, never mind thirty or beyond.
It’s no surprise, then, with starters pitching less than ever, that they also get less decisions than ever before. It’s not just that MLB had one lone 20-game winner this season (Julio Urías, who went 20-3), it’s also that nobody else won even 18 games, the only time that’s ever happened in MLB history, aside from shortened campaigns.