Baseball · Level 7: Upper-Advanced · Sub-level 7.1
The Starting Pitcher
10 tests · 100 facts · updated 28 October 2026 · markdown
A starting pitcher opens the game for his team and is expected to cover as many innings as he can. Most clubs use a five-man rotation, in which the starters take turns in a fixed order, so each one pitches every fifth day with four days in between. More rest between starts was meant to cut injuries, and some clubs add a sixth starter to give extra rest.
Between starts the routine is recover, throw a bullpen, ease off and start again. Light exercise, treatment, long toss, band work and strength work keep the arm healthy over a long season, while video and scouting reports shape the plan for the next outing. On game day the starter begins his routine about half an hour before the first pitch, building from easy to full effort in the bullpen with his catcher. Coaches track pitches thrown, and around 100 is a common limit. A shutout under 100 pitches is called a 'Maddux', after Greg Maddux, master of efficient games.
The facts that follow cover the rotation and pitch counts, the ace, no-hitters and perfect games, Tommy John surgery, the Cy Young Award and great starters from Cy Young and Randy Johnson to Kershaw.
Each test below is ten questions on Insporta. The list under a test is what the questions check: one fact per question, with the source it was written from. Read it before the test, or come back from a wrong answer.
Test 1The rotationTake a test
Most clubs use a five-man rotation.
Source: General baseball reference · recall
Pitching every fifth day leaves four days in between.
Source: General baseball reference · recall
More rest between starts was meant to cut injuries.
Source: General baseball reference · recall
Some clubs add a sixth starter to give extra rest.
Source: General baseball reference · recall
Off-days let the top starters stay on schedule.
Source: General baseball reference · recall
Spot starters fill gaps when the rotation needs a game.
Source: General baseball reference · recall
Teams want their top starters ready for the first games.
Source: General baseball reference · recall
More starters means more days between turns.
Source: General baseball reference · applied
Start, recover, bullpen, prepare.
Source: General baseball reference · applied
The starters take turns in a fixed order.
Source: General baseball reference · applied
Test 2Between startsTake a test
Light exercise and treatment help the arm recover.
Source: General baseball reference · recall
The mid-week session works on pitches without tiring the arm.
Source: General baseball reference · recall
Long toss builds arm strength and loosens the shoulder.
Source: General baseball reference · recall
Strength work helps them hold up over a long season.
Source: General baseball reference · recall
Video and scouting reports guide the plan.
Source: General baseball reference · recall
Small aches can signal a bigger injury.
Source: General baseball reference · recall
Band work, stretching and rest keep the arm healthy.
Source: General baseball reference · recall
Recover, throw a bullpen, ease off, start again.
Source: General baseball reference · applied
Catch is light; a bullpen session is near game effort.
Source: General baseball reference · applied
Starters throw a bullpen between starts.
Source: General baseball reference · applied
Test 3Pitch counts and innings limitsTake a test
Around 100 pitches is a common limit.
Source: General baseball reference · recall
Big jumps in innings raise injury risk.
Source: General baseball reference · recall
The club ended his season after about 160 innings.
Source: General baseball reference · recall
Fewer pitches per inning let him go deeper.
Source: General baseball reference · recall
Many pitches with runners on tire the arm more.
Source: General baseball reference · recall
Low stress and good velocity can justify more pitches.
Source: General baseball reference · recall
Youth programmes set maximum pitches and rest days by age.
Source: General baseball reference · recall
More pitches, more fatigue.
Source: General baseball reference · applied
Long innings with runners on are the hardest.
Source: General baseball reference · applied
Coaches track pitches thrown to manage fatigue.
Source: General baseball reference · applied
Test 4Going deep into gamesTake a test
The starter finishes the game himself.
Source: General baseball reference · recall
Cy Young completed 749 games.
Source: General baseball reference · recall
Clubs prefer fresh relievers late in games.
Source: General baseball reference · recall
Carlton threw 304 innings for the Phillies.
Source: General baseball reference · recall
It is named after Greg Maddux, master of efficient games.
Source: General baseball reference · recall
The pitcher finishes without giving up a run.
Source: General baseball reference · recall
Quick outs keep the pitch count low.
Source: General baseball reference · recall
Nine innings is the full game.
Source: General baseball reference · applied
304 innings, about 200, then fewer.
Source: General baseball reference · applied
A shutout under 100 pitches is a 'Maddux'.
Source: General baseball reference · applied
Test 5The aceTake a test
The ace is the top starter in the rotation.
Source: General baseball reference · recall
Clubs honour their best starter with the first game.
Source: General baseball reference · recall
A great starter can swing a season and the playoffs.
Source: General baseball reference · recall
Clubs rely on him to stop a losing streak.
Source: General baseball reference · recall
Starting Game 1 lines him up for a later game too.
Source: General baseball reference · recall
Aces pitch well and stay healthy year after year.
Source: General baseball reference · recall
He usually has the least proven record.
Source: General baseball reference · recall
The ace is number one.
Source: General baseball reference · applied
He opens the series, returns on normal rest, and can relieve in a deciding game.
Source: General baseball reference · applied
Opening day usually goes to the top starter.
Source: General baseball reference · applied
Test 6No-hitters and perfect gamesTake a test
The pitchers allow no hits for the whole game.
Source: General baseball reference · recall
27 up, 27 down: no hits, walks, errors or hit batters.
Source: General baseball reference · recall
Larsen did it for the Yankees in 1956.
Source: General baseball reference · recall
Ryan threw seven no-hitters.
Source: General baseball reference · recall
Baseball tradition says mentioning it can jinx it.
Source: General baseball reference · recall
Runs can score without hits.
Source: General baseball reference · recall
Halladay no-hit the Reds in the NLDS.
Source: General baseball reference · recall
Perfect games are rarest; shutouts most common.
Source: General baseball reference · applied
Seven, four, then one.
Source: General baseball reference · applied
Superstition keeps team-mates away during a no-hitter.
Source: General baseball reference · applied
Test 7Tommy John surgeryTake a test
The ulnar collateral ligament is rebuilt with a tendon graft.
Source: General baseball reference · recall
Jobe operated on pitcher Tommy John.
Source: General baseball reference · recall
Pitchers rebuild slowly before returning.
Source: General baseball reference · recall
Repeated hard throwing can tear the ligament.
Source: General baseball reference · recall
Too much throwing without rest raises UCL injury risk.
Source: General baseball reference · recall
UCL repair with an internal brace can return players sooner.
Source: General baseball reference · recall
His return proved the surgery could save careers.
Source: General baseball reference · recall
Surgery, rehab, throwing, return.
Source: General baseball reference · applied
Full replacement takes longest.
Source: General baseball reference · applied
Elbow rehab follows UCL surgery.
Source: General baseball reference · applied
Test 8Game day for a starterTake a test
He starts his routine about half an hour before the first pitch.
Source: General baseball reference · recall
Enough to get loose without tiring.
Source: General baseball reference · recall
The warm-up tells him and the catcher which pitches are sharp.
Source: General baseball reference · recall
Starter and catcher get on the same page.
Source: General baseball reference · recall
Many starters guard their routine and concentration.
Source: General baseball reference · recall
They wear a jacket and talk with the catcher and coach.
Source: General baseball reference · recall
Early adjustments can save the start.
Source: General baseball reference · recall
Plan, loosen, bullpen, game.
Source: General baseball reference · applied
Build from easy to full effort.
Source: General baseball reference · applied
Starters warm up in the bullpen before the game.
Source: General baseball reference · applied
Test 9The Cy Young AwardTake a test
It honours the top pitcher in each league.
Source: General baseball reference · recall
It began the year after Cy Young died.
Source: General baseball reference · recall
Before 1967 there was one award for all of MLB.
Source: General baseball reference · recall
Clemens won seven.
Source: General baseball reference · recall
Members of the Baseball Writers' Association of America vote.
Source: General baseball reference · recall
Relievers such as Éric Gagné and Dennis Eckersley have won it.
Source: General baseball reference · recall
Randy Johnson also won four in a row, 1999 to 2002.
Source: General baseball reference · recall
1956, 1967, 2004.
Source: General baseball reference · applied
Seven, five, three.
Source: General baseball reference · applied
The Cy Young honours each league's best pitcher.
Source: General baseball reference · applied
Test 10Great startersTake a test
Arthritis in his elbow ended his career early.
Source: General baseball reference · recall
Maddux painted the corners rather than overpowering hitters.
Source: General baseball reference · recall
Johnson stood about 6 feet 10.
Source: General baseball reference · recall
His 1999 and 2000 seasons are among the best ever.
Source: General baseball reference · recall
'The Dominican Dandy' used a kick that reached over his head.
Source: General baseball reference · recall
Kershaw dominated the 2010s.
Source: General baseball reference · recall
Young pitched from 1890 to 1911.
Source: General baseball reference · recall
1890, 1955, 2008.
Source: General baseball reference · applied
511, 355, 165.
Source: General baseball reference · applied
Marichal's high kick was his trademark.
Source: General baseball reference · applied
Questions people ask
- How does a five-man rotation work?
- The starters take turns in a fixed order, so each pitches every fifth day with four days in between. Some clubs add a sixth starter for extra rest, and spot starters fill gaps when the rotation needs a game.
- What does a starting pitcher do between starts?
- He recovers with light exercise and treatment, throws a bullpen session near game effort, then eases off before starting again. Long toss, band work, stretching and strength work keep the arm healthy.
- How many pitches does a starter usually throw?
- Around 100 pitches is a common limit. Long innings with runners on tire the arm most, while low stress and good velocity can justify more.
- What is the difference between a no-hitter and a perfect game?
- In a no-hitter the pitchers allow no hits for the whole game, and runs can still score without hits. A perfect game is 27 up, 27 down: no hits, walks, errors or hit batters.
- What is Tommy John surgery?
- The ulnar collateral ligament in the elbow is rebuilt with a tendon graft. Jobe operated on pitcher Tommy John, whose return proved the surgery could save careers.
- Who has won the most Cy Young Awards?
- Clemens won seven. Randy Johnson won four in a row, from 1999 to 2002.
- What is a team's ace?
- The ace is the top starter in the rotation. He usually gets opening day and Game 1 of a series, which lines him up to pitch again later.
Sources
General baseball references, WBSC and league material, coaching manuals; original questions authored, nothing reproduced. Numbered rules belong to the Rules category.
- General baseball reference100