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What does ERA measure for a pitcher?

Earned runs per nine innings is ERA.

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  1. Earned runs per nine innings ✔
  2. Total runs per game
  3. Strikeouts per nine innings

Why: ERA is nine times earned runs, divided by innings pitched. Runs that scored because of an error or passed ball are left out.

Huh, didn't know that: A lower ERA is better, because the pitcher's job is to keep runs from scoring.

The dad joke
Why did the pitcher love math class? He wanted a lower ERA.
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References

Answer: Earned runs per nine innings. ERA is nine times earned runs, divided by innings pitched. Runs that scored because of an error or passed ball are left out.

  1. Earned Run Average (MLB Glossary) www.mlb.com/glossary/standard-stats/earned-run-average
    Earned run average represents the number of earned runs a pitcher allows per nine innings
    Checked 2026-10-12.

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