1. What is ERA?

ERA (Earned Run Average) is a statistic in baseball that represents the average number of earned runs a pitcher allows per nine innings pitched. It is one of the most commonly used metrics for evaluating pitcher performance.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the ERA formula:

Where:

• Earned Runs — Number of runs scored without the benefit of errors
• Innings Pitched — Number of innings the pitcher has thrown

Explanation: The formula scales the earned runs per inning to a standard nine-inning game, allowing for comparison between pitchers regardless of how many innings they've pitched.

3. Importance of ERA Calculation

Details: ERA is a fundamental statistic in baseball that helps evaluate pitcher performance, compare pitchers across different teams and eras, and make strategic decisions about pitcher usage and roster construction.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the total earned runs allowed by the pitcher and the total innings pitched. Both values must be valid (earned runs ≥ 0, innings pitched > 0).

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What's considered a good ERA?
A: In modern baseball, an ERA below 4.00 is generally considered good, below 3.00 is excellent, and below 2.00 is exceptional.

Q2: How does ERA differ from other pitching statistics?
A: Unlike WHIP (walks plus hits per inning) or FIP (fielding independent pitching), ERA measures actual runs allowed rather than potential outcomes.

Q3: Are unearned runs included in ERA?
A: No, ERA only includes earned runs - those that score without the benefit of errors or passed balls.

Q4: How are partial innings handled?
A: Partial innings are represented as decimals (e.g., 6.2 innings means 6 innings plus 2 outs, or 6⅔ innings).

Q5: Does ERA account for ballpark factors?
A: No, standard ERA does not account for ballpark effects. For this, statistics like ERA+ or park-adjusted ERA are used.