Earned run averageERA
ERA stands for earned run average. Earned runs a pitcher allows per nine innings — the standard measure of run prevention.
How ERA is calculated
ERA = 9 × ER ÷ IP
Jacob Misiorowski, 2026: 9 × 35 ÷ 169⅓ = 1.86
Only earned runs count. A run that scored solely because of an error is unearned and vanishes from ERA, which means an official scorer’s judgement on one play changes a pitcher’s headline number.
What counts as a good ERA?
Half of the 137 qualified MLB players in 2026 were at or below 3.92. The best tenth were under 2.86.
- Median
- 3.92
- Top 10% (low)
- 2.86
- Leader
- 1.86
By position, the median was 3.67 for RP and 3.92 for SP.
Qualified: 100+ IP, non-zero, 2026 regular season.