Now its obviously too early to make any definitive conclusions, but I think they deserve some respect. The numbers don't lie.

http://espn.go.com/mlb/standings/_/sort/pointsAgainst

http://espn.go.com/mlb/stats/team/_/stat/pitching/year/2011/seasontype/2/league/nl

I think the numbers you posted do lie. I am more inclined to agree with these rankings:

http://www.fangraphs.com/teams.aspx?pos=all&stats=pit&lg=nl&type=8&season=2011&month=0&season1=2011

OK. Duly noted. Runs mean nothing in baseball.

nerman28 wrote:OK. Duly noted. Runs mean nothing in baseball.

I assume you are being sarcastic or trying to make some point here. Your thread title talks about pitching staff so runs isn't the best way to look at that. If you want to use runs your thread title should be something about Pitt having the best combination of pitching, defense, and home park in the NL Central.

If nothing else, look at the eye test. Doesn't my list make more sense than the one you posted? You can be a smart ass all you want, but eventually just try some common sense.

What a few weeks can do.

lol @ op