If I'm going to argue for more complete games, I'd have to first throw pitcher durability and pitch counts out the window. I think managers are sometimes far too cautious with pitcher's pitch count. As a Red Sox fan, we were always counting how many pitches Pedro Martinez was throwing each start due to his storied arm trouble.

I think if you have a big pitcher like Randy Johnson, Curt Schilling, or Johan Santana that are capable of going 9 innings, they should pitch for all 9 if they are pitching well enough to earn the victory. Time and time again starting pitchers have dominated teams for 8 innings only to have their team lose in the 9th inning when the man who came in for relief allowed the game winning runs. As a fan it is really annoying and you begin to question the manager more when they take a pitcher out too early.

Also, managers of fantasy leagues would be really excited to have pitchers that pitch full games. Complete games would enhance a pitcher's value in many categories, including ERA, Innings, Strikeouts, and potentially WHIP. While fantasy baseball never factors into everyday life, it does support the argument for complete games.

Learn more about this author, K.C. Downey.
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