Please consider Jake Arrieta for the Stieb. He might not be at the top of your list upon first glance because he was only 4th in ERA. However, a deeper look shows how dominant he was.
He was # 1 in the league in: Batting Average, On-Base, Slugging, OPS, Runners per 9, WHIP, RC per 27 outs, RC ERA and Component ERA.
It is true that three SPs had better ERAs, but in addition to besting them in all of the above categories, he beat all of them in Strikeouts, Ks/9, Complete Games and Extra Base Hit Rates. Moreover, he beat two of the three of them in Quality Starts, Quality Start % and k/walk ratio.
And not to make excuses, but Arrieta's ERA was undoubtedly hurt by having one of the worst bullpens in the league, which allowed A LOT of inherited runners to score. (Highest blown save rate anyone!!!??? The Ulcers ran away with that title!) If his despicable owner had not sold every live arm in the pen he would have no doubt had fewer ER counted against him.
But for those things that were entirely in his control, he was pretty masterful.
He was # 1 in the league in: Batting Average, On-Base, Slugging, OPS, Runners per 9, WHIP, RC per 27 outs, RC ERA and Component ERA.
It is true that three SPs had better ERAs, but in addition to besting them in all of the above categories, he beat all of them in Strikeouts, Ks/9, Complete Games and Extra Base Hit Rates. Moreover, he beat two of the three of them in Quality Starts, Quality Start % and k/walk ratio.
And not to make excuses, but Arrieta's ERA was undoubtedly hurt by having one of the worst bullpens in the league, which allowed A LOT of inherited runners to score. (Highest blown save rate anyone!!!??? The Ulcers ran away with that title!) If his despicable owner had not sold every live arm in the pen he would have no doubt had fewer ER counted against him.
But for those things that were entirely in his control, he was pretty masterful.