This is for your reference, in order to frame your 2009 expectations, to give you an idea of where the league was in 2008....

4.66 league runs average. (4.76 runs average for starters, 4.47 runs average for relievers).

Rotation Averages: (Taken from my survey of NL pitchers with 100+ IP). 

#1 starters: 3.40 runs average, 6.46 IP/G (best: Tim Lincecum, SF)

#2 starters: 4.10 runs average, 5.93 IP/G (best: Adam Wainwright, StL)

#3 starters: 4.73 runs average, 5.63 IP/G (best: Dave Bush, Mil)

#4 starters: 5.50 runs average, 5.10 IP/G (best: Jeff Francis, Col)

#5 / swingmen: 5.71 runs average, 3.83 IP/G (best: Seth McClung, Mil)

This is an important segment to pay attention to because I think people underrate the Brewers rotation by overrating the performance of 3 and 4 starters, and therefore failing to capture their true value. I also think it is important to note the top rotation performance requirements, and gauge the potential of Gallardo and Parra. If the injury issues stay in check, Gallardo is well within the performance level of a #2 starter; Parra is still in the #3 category and has a ways to work, but probably has the potential to become a better pitcher.

Starters:

9.26 H/9 IP; 6.67 K/9 IP, 3.24 BB/9 IP, 2.06 K/BB

(Per 160 IP: 165 H, 119 K/58 BB)

Relievers:

8.72 H/9 IP; 7.56 K/9 IP, 3.83 BB/9 IP, 1.97 K/BB

(Per 80 IP: 78 H, 67 K/34 BB)

Relief Averages: .829 leads converted% (from 2008 Reliever Index):

40 or more leads converted: .868 leads converted % (best: Brad Lidge, Phi)

30 to 39 leads converted: .817 leads converted % (best: Carlos Marmol, ChC)

20 to 29 leads converted: .832 leads converted % (best: Matt Lindstrom, Fla)

10 to 19 leads converted: .854 leads converted % (best: LaTroy Hawkins, Joe Beimel, Carlos Villanueva, and Jeff Bennett)

This is one specific way of analyzing relief appearances simply by noting whether or not leads of 3-or-fewer runs were maintained. There is a certain sense in which relievers that maintain leads more frequently than others are more valuable relievers, although this survey does not include how those relievers are used, when they are used, and how they pitch in tie games, close defecits, and with inherited runners.