WHIP

Walks plus Hits per Inning Pitched — base-runners allowed per inning. It captures command and contact suppression; under ~1.10 is excellent, over ~1.40 is shaky. Pairs with ERA to separate luck from real run prevention.

• ERA — Earned runs allowed per 9 innings. Lower is better; under ~3.50 is strong.
• K/9 — Strikeouts per 9 innings — swing-and-miss rate. ~9+ is high-strikeout.