quality start

American

[kwol-i-tee stahrt] / ˈkwɒl ɪ ti ˈstɑrt /

noun

Baseball.

a statistic indicating that a pitcher has pitched at least six innings in a game while allowing no more than three earned runs. QS

Etymology

Origin of quality start

First recorded in 1920–25, for an earlier sense; 1995–2000, for the current sense

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

And a quiet offensive night for the Dodgers wasted a quality start from right-hander Emmett Sheehan.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 2, 2026

At this point, the most likely candidate to give them a quality start might be Walker Buehler.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 4, 2024

The Mariners have been so reliant on high-level outings from their starters that it’s glaring when a pitcher such as Gilbert doesn’t provide at least a quality start.

From Seattle Times • May 9, 2024

The feeling that every time he takes the ball, the team will get a quality start.

From Los Angeles Times • May 8, 2024

It was the Mariners 15th quality start of the season — the most in the American League — and their 12th in the last 14 games.

From Seattle Times • Apr. 26, 2024

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023