Zack Greinke Improves to 8-1, ERA at 0.84

Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Zack Greinke is the best pitcher in all of baseball. Greinke improved his impressive record to 8-1 after he struck out eight batters and pitched a complete game six-hitter, helping the Royals beat the Tigers by a score of 6-1 on Tuesday. By giving up one earned run against the Tigers, Greinke's major-league leading ERA rose slightly from 0.82 to 0.84. Greinke leads the majors in ERA (0.84), complete games (five), shutouts (two) and has not allowed a single homerun all season.

Greinke has not given up more than two runs in any of his first ten starts and has allowed only seven earned runs in 75 innings this season. Greinke started the season without allowing an earned run in his first four starts before allowing two earned runs against the Blue Jays in a win. He followed the start against Toronto with a complete game shutout against the Chicago White Sox. His only loss this season was against the Los Angeles Angels in his seventh start, where he pitched another gem, giving up only one run and four hits, but his team lost 1-0. Greinke is currently on a two-game winning streak.

The Kansas City Royals are currently at .500 with a record of 23-23 and Greinke has been their best player by far. All other Royals starting pitchers have a combined ERA of 4.50+ and a combined record of 9-14. Greinke has helped the Royals stay in playoff contention for the first time in more than 24 years. They are currently in second place in the AL Central, three games behind the Detroit Tigers. The Royals are trying to make the playoffs for the first time since 1985, the only year the Royals won a World Series.

Greinke, only 25 years old, has pitched for only one team in his MLB career, the Kansas City Royals. He made his MLB debut in 2004 and has had mixed results in his first five years as a Royal. From 2004 to 2008, he only had a career record of 33-45, mostly because of low run support and bad defense. In January 2009, Greinke signed a four-year extension with the Royals worth $38 million and he has already been paying huge dividends.

Greinke's success has been a surprise for everyone, as he does not have overpowering stuff or 100+ MPH fastballs. He locates his pitches well and has wicked movement on his variety of pitches.