If you exclude the four best starters on each Major League team in 2005, the average win-loss record of the remaining starters is 14-21 with a 5.37 ERA. Not very good. For playoff teams, the average is 16-16 with a 4.99 ERA. That 16-16 record is identical to 2004's 16-16 for fifth starters on playoff teams. The ERA is close as well with 2004 at 5.25.Bottom line: To be a contender all you need for your "fifth starters" is .500 pitching. Here are the numbers for the 2005 playoff teams (starter win-loss records and ERA excluding the top four starters):
For those Chicago Cubs fans out there: Cubs 14-20, 5.24 ERA (#15)
The worst two teams?
Tampa Bay Devil Rays 11-28 6.80 (#29) Cincinnati Reds 9-19 7.13 (#30)