WasWatching.com

The formula consists of eight parts:

1. Start with 50.
2. Add 1 point for each out recorded.
3. Add 2 points for each inning the pitcher completes after the fourth inning.
4. Add 1 point for each strikeout.
5. Subtract 2 points for each hit allowed.
6. Subtract 4 points for each earned run allowed.
7. Subtract 2 points for each unearned run allowed.
8. Subtract 1 point for each walk.

Consider this pitching line:
IP H R ER BB K
8.1 5 2 1 2 7

The game score for the performance shown would be 72 (50+25+8+7-10-4-2-2).

An average start would score 50. One start in 300 reaches a score of 90 or better, and an all-time great performance would reach 100.

Here are Phil Hughes' Game Scores, to date:

GS	IP	Pitch  GSc
1	4.1	91	37
2	6.1	80	76
-	-	-	- 
3	4.2	92	29
4	6.0	95	65
5	5.0	94	47
6	6.1	92	44
7	6.0	97	49
8	4.1	94	31
9	6.0	97	58
10	6.0    106	58
11	5.2	96	50
12	5.0	99	43
13	7.0    102	68
-	-	-	- 
14	6.0	87	59
15	3.0	87	33

GS = Career Start #. Pitch = Pitches thrown in start. GSc = Game Score.

I've drawn a line between GS #2 and #3 since that's pre- and post- Hughes' hamstring D.L. time in 2007. And, I've drawn a line between GS #13 and #14 since that's the end of the 2007 season and the start of this season.

As you can see, in 5 of his last 7 starts, over the past two seasons, Hughes has posted a Game Score of 50 or better. That's good - in terms of coming through consistently with his effort. But, on the whole, in those seven starts, his average Game Score is about 53 - and that's just "average."

From a really good starter in the majors, you want to see somewhere between 10 and 15 games in a season with a Game Score of 60+. And, from great starter, you expect to see somewhere between 15 to 20 games in a season with a Game Score of 60+.

It's not impossible for a young guy to reach these numbers. King Felix Hernandez had 12 games last season, as a 21-year old, where he had a Game Score of 60+. And, Matt Cain, in 2006, as a 21-year old had 15 such games - and Cain, in 2007 (at age 22), had 14 games with a Game Score of 60+. Carlos Zambrano, as a 22-year old in 2003, had 14 games with a Game Score of 60+. Oliver Perez, as a 22-year old in 2004, had 12 games with a Game Score of 60+.

In fact, since 2003, there have been others, 22 or younger, who have posted at least 12 games in a season with a Game Score of 60+. This includes Mark Prior, Jake Peavy and Dontrelle Willis in 2003 - as well as Francisco Liriano in 2006 and Jeremy Bonderman in 2005.

I expect Hughes to be able to do this (meaning 12+ starts with a Game Score of 60+) in 2008 as well. Any less would be considered to be a disappointment - and probably bad news for the Yankees chances this season.