Game Score (Baseball Pitching) Calculator

About the Game Score (Baseball Pitching) Calculator

Game Score is a single-game pitching metric created by Bill James that assigns a numerical value to a starting pitcher's performance. Starting at 50 points, the formula adds and subtracts points based on innings pitched, strikeouts, hits allowed, runs, walks, and other events to produce a number that captures how dominant or poor a start was.

An average start registers around 50 Game Score. Quality starts typically fall in the 55-75 range, while exceptional starts score 80+. The highest Game Score in MLB history belongs to Kerry Wood's 20-strikeout one-hitter in 1998 (105 Game Score). A 9-inning perfect game scores approximately 98-101 depending on strikeouts.

This calculator lets you evaluate any pitching start by entering the game's box score stats. It provides context through historical comparisons, season projections, and milestone references so you can understand exactly where a start ranks in the spectrum of pitching performances.

When This Page Helps

Game Score distills an entire pitching performance into a single number, making it easy to compare starts across games, seasons, and eras.

How to Use the Inputs

1. Enter innings pitched (IP) in standard notation (e.g., 7.0, 6.2)
2. Input hits (H) and runs (R) allowed, including earned and unearned
3. Enter earned runs (ER), walks (BB), and strikeouts (K)
4. Optionally enter home runs allowed (HR) for the updated Game Score formula
5. Compare the Game Score to historical benchmarks and quality thresholds
6. Try famous game lines with the preset buttons

Example Calculation

Tips & Best Practices

• A perfect game with 9 K scores about 98; add 1 point for each extra K
• No-hitters score 85-100+ depending on walks and strikeouts
• The biggest negative factor is earned runs (-4 each), so blowup innings destroy Game Score
• IP bonus kicks in after the 4th inning, rewarding pitchers who go deep into games
• Compare Game Score averages over a month to identify hot and cold streaks
• For daily fantasy, target pitchers in matchups likely to produce 65+ Game Scores

How Game Score Is Calculated Step-by-Step

Start with 50. Add 1 per out recorded (IP × 3). Add 2 per inning after the 4th (so 1 point for the 5th, 2 for the 6th, etc.). Add 1 per strikeout. Subtract 2 per hit. Subtract 4 per earned run. Subtract 2 per unearned run. Subtract 1 per walk. The result is a score that ranges roughly from -20 (catastrophic) to 105+ (historic).

Historical Game Score Leaders

The all-time single-game leaderboard features some of the most memorable pitching performances ever. Kerry Wood's 1998 debut is #1 at 105. Max Scherzer's 20-K no-hitter is #2 at 104. Other notable entries include Nolan Ryan's no-hitters (mid-90s range), Roger Clemens' 20-K games, and Sandy Koufax's perfect game (97). Modern aces like Jacob deGrom and Justin Verlander regularly post 80+ Game Scores.

Using Game Score for Season Evaluation

Season-long Game Score averages provide insight into pitcher consistency. A season average above 60 is All-Star caliber. Above 65 is Cy Young territory. The standard deviation of Game Score measures consistency—a pitcher with a 62 average and 10 SD is preferrable to one with a 62 average and 20 SD (wildly inconsistent).

Frequently Asked Questions

• What is a good Game Score?

  Below 40 is poor, 40-49 is below average, 50-59 is average, 60-69 is quality start range, 70-79 is excellent, 80-89 is dominant, and 90+ is historically great.

• What is the highest Game Score ever?

  Kerry Wood scored 105 on May 6, 1998 (9 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 20 K against the Astros). Max Scherzer's 20-K game scored 104. Perfect games with high K counts score 95-101.

• What Game Score qualifies as a quality start?

  A quality start (6+ IP, 3 or fewer ER) typically produces a Game Score of 50-65. The highest quality starts (7+ IP, 0-1 ER, 8+ K) can reach 80+.

• Is there a newer version of Game Score?

  Yes, Tom Tango developed an updated formula: 40 + 2×Outs + K - 2×BB - 2×H - 3×ER - 6×HR. This version is simpler and weights home runs more heavily. Both versions are widely used.

• Can relievers use Game Score?

  Game Score can be calculated for any pitching appearance, but it was designed for starters. Short relief outings tend to produce lower scores even when dominant because of the IP-based bonus structure.

• How does Game Score relate to pitcher wins?

  Higher Game Scores correlate with wins, but the relationship isn't perfect because wins depend on run support. A Game Score of 70+ results in a win roughly 85% of the time historically.