20 days ’til Opening Day

There are 20 days left until that best day of the year, MLB’s Opening Day.

That means there’s only 20 days left until we get to start to see whether that Orlando Cabrera for Jon Garland trade works out. Garland has chosen to wear #20 for the Angels.

Also, 20 wins is often considered to be a benchmark for a pitcher having a great season. It shouldn’t be anymore. Not only because counting wins for pitchers is flawed — mediocre pitchers with great run support will get more wins than great pitchers with horrible run support.

Bullpens are used more than ever, and starters aren’t going as deep into the games, making it harder for the starter to get the win, as the lead can change several times after he leaves the game. In the last two seasons, only one pitcher, Josh Beckett, has reached 20 wins. In 2006, 16 wins led the National League.

Though I won’t mind seeing Wins and Losses in box scores and on the bottom line on TV. Because that means baseball season has started again — just 20 days from now.