Walks and Hits per Inning Pitched (WHIP) is a statistic used in baseball to measure a pitcher's effectiveness. It calculates the number of walks and hits a pitcher allows per inning pitched. A lower WHIP indicates that a pitcher is better at preventing batters from reaching base, which is crucial for a successful performance. To calculate WHIP, you add the total number of walks and hits allowed by the pitcher and then divide that sum by the total number of innings pitched. This metric helps teams and fans evaluate a pitcher's ability to control the game and limit scoring opportunities for the opposing team.