<P> In the first third of the 20th century (especially after the live - ball era), winning 30 games became the rare mark of excellent achievement; this standard diminished to 25 games during the 1940s through 1980s (the only pitcher to win 30 or more games during that time was Denny McLain in 1968, in what was an anomalous pitching - dominated season). </P> <P> Since 1990, this has changed even further, as winning 20 or more games in a single season is now achieved by only a handful of pitchers each season . For example, in 2004 only three of the more than five hundred major league pitchers did so . In 2006 and again in 2009, no pitcher in either league won 20 games . The last pitcher to win 25 games was Bob Welch in 1990 . </P> <P> The New York Times wrote in 2011 that as advanced statistics have expanded, a pitcher's win - loss record has decreased in importance . For example, Félix Hernández won the Cy Young Award in 2010 in spite of a 13--12 record . Many times a win is substantially out of the pitcher's control; even a dominant pitcher cannot record a win if his team does not score any runs for him . For instance, in 2004, Milwaukee Brewers starting pitcher Ben Sheets had a losing record of 12--14, despite displaying a league - best 8: 1 strikeout - to - walk ratio and was among the top 5 pitchers in ERA (2.70) and WHIP (0.98). In addition to their dependence on run support, wins for a starting pitcher are also dependent on bullpen support . A starting pitcher can pitch brilliantly, leaving the game with the lead, and then watch helplessly from the dugout as the bullpen blows the save and gives up the lead . That would entitle the starting pitcher to a no - decision instead of a win despite the strong performances, regardless of whether or not the team ends up winning . Starting pitchers on teams with a weak bullpen tend to have fewer wins because of this . Likewise, a pitcher can give a poor performance and give up many runs and leave the game earlier than desired, but still win because his team scored even more runs . Some prefer the quality start statistic as an indication of how many times a starting pitcher gave his team a realistic chance to win . </P>

How do you determine if a pitcher gets a win