A look at some strong catcher ERA stats for Matt Wieters

We know that Caleb Joseph is a very solid defensive catcher. He was behind the plate last night when Ubaldo Jimenez pitched eight strong innings in a win over Oakland. Matt Wieters was behind the plate Saturday afternoon when Mike Wright gave up five runs in five innings.

Some fans were so impressed with Joseph's defensive work last year (and rightfully so) that they thought the Orioles pitchers were in better hands with him catching over Wieters.

Orioles pitchers tell us a different story. They often remark that they love throwing to either of the two catchers. The O's have two solid defensive catchers that are very much part of a team with each pitcher during the game. They are both very invested in what happens to the guy on the mound.

But so far this year, the O's hurlers are doing pretty well with Wieters behind the plate. In fact, Wieters has been the catcher this year for each Kevin Gausman and Chris Tillman start. Gausman has an ERA of 1.42 and Tillman is at 2.81.

Overall on the year, the Orioles are 11-6 with Wieters getting the start at catcher and 6-6 with Joseph. Joseph has pretty much become the regular catcher for Jimenez, while Wieters has been back there when Tillman or Gausman pitches.

The catcher's ERA this year for Wieters is 3.13 and for Joseph it is 4.23. Opponent batters have hit .226 with Wieters catching and .267 with Joseph.

The importance of catcher ERA stats has been debated in the sport. Is Wieters' ERA getting the benefit of strong seasons from Tillman and Gausman? Well yes, but maybe his work back there has also greatly helped the duo pitch well.

Either way, Wieters' catchers ERA number is down from last year's mark of 4.38, in fact well down. Joseph's mark last season was 3.65.

While Wright had to deal with some soft hits and some hits against the shift yesterday, Jimenez had a strong outing last night. It was the latest solid performance by an O's starting pitcher.

The O's rotation has produced four quality starts over the last five games with an ERA of 2.65. Over a longer stretch, O's starters have recorded eight quality starts in the last 11 games with an ERA of 3.31.

That is more like it. It's much better than earlier in the year and O's starters have now gone six innings or more in 13 of the last 20 games. In the last five games the O's have three starts of seven or more innings and two of eight innings. That will help any catcher's ERA stats.

Happy Mother's Day: I want to wish all the Moms to have a great day today with family and those they love the most. Hope all the kids are great to their Moms and let them know how much they mean to us. I wish I could tell Anne Melewski that today. My Mom died just over five years ago and a day doesn't go by that I don't miss her and think about her. She loved me and our family so much. It was beautiful.

When we lost my Mom in 2011, I wrote this blog. I'd like to re-publish it here today to honor her on this special day for the Moms.