With Baltimore being the last team to complete 81 games or half the season, we have information to take into account how all 30 major league teams have played and try to surmise how they might play in the future based on these results. Noted baseball guru Bill James and Baseball Prospectus are considered two of the most respected names that helped usher baseball into this modern era of information. Among the tools are runs scored and runs allowed, providing a method to determine if any baseball team is overachieving or possibly not playing up to the level of skill they have shown for different reasons.The numerology is quite simple; multiply the each number by itself and add the two together. Divided the runs scored figure by the total, to create a percentage. Take this percentage, multiply by either 81 or 162 to determine the number of wins and losses a team should have.
Example- Boston Red Sox record 49-32 after 81 games. They have scored 406 runs and allowed 336.
406 x 406 = 164836
336 x 336 = 112898
164836 + 112898 = 277732
164836 divided by 277732 = .593 percent
81 games x .593 = 48-33
162 games x .593 = 96 -66
This methodology shows Boston is just about where they should be and is on pace for another outstanding season. Here is a look at each team’s record and runs scored/run allowed at mid-point of the season.
AL East
Boston 49-32 406 -336
Tampa Bay 59-32 382-327
N.Y. Yankees 44-37 384-361
Baltimore 41-40 366-370
Toronto 38-43 334-311
AL Central
Chicago 46-35 393-308
Minnesota 44-37 389-385
Detroit 41-40 393-389
Cleveland 37-44 356-341
Kansas City 37-44 329-373
AL West
L.A. Angels 48-33 339-328
Oakland 44-37 357-298
Texas 41-40 445-458
Seattle 31-50 331-390
NL East
Philadelphia 43-38 411-337
Florida 42-39 385-403
Atlanta 40-41 369-324
N.Y. Mets 40-41 378-379
Washington 32-49 296-403
NL Central
Chicago 49-32 442-344
St. Louis 45-36 374-353
Milwaukee 44-37 364-366
Pittsburgh 38-43 394-446
Houston 38-43 357-393
Cincinnati 36-45 339-406
NL West
Arizona 41-40 363-355
L.A. Dodgers 38-43 331-328
San Francisco 35-46 324-371
Colorado 32-49 338-413
San Diego 32-49 298-377
That is a lot of numbers, thus let’s dissect what some of these means. The Toronto Blue Jays have not met expectations to this juncture and could be a Play On team the second half of the season. What two elements have to change is more clutch hitting to score runs. Toronto hitters are in the lower third of nearly all offensive statistics, if they could just move into the mid-level group, they improve immediately. Because of lack of run production, the bullpen, despite a solid ERA and closing numbers have lost 16 games for the Blue Jays. If the pitching maintains and the bats wake up a little, Toronto is on schedule to win 87 games for the season, looking at the possibility of 49-32 second half.
The Chicago White Sox are in first place in the AL Central, have suffered a few bumps, yet for the most part, played good baseball. For Pale Hose backers, the news gets even better since they should have even a better record. With a differential of +85 at the middle of the season, this equates to 50-31 record, a full four games better than they have shown. At the midpoint of the season, any number greater than three or five at the end of the season, is noteworthy positive or negative. With the White Sox starting pitching improving, the bullpen the best in the American League and the hitters becoming more consistent, Chicago should run away in the second half. Watch this closely, since their money line odds will only increase if the winning continues, now is the time to make plays on the South Siders.
The Cleveland Indians are among the bigger disappointments in baseball with 37-44 record, after being within one game of playing in the World Series. A number of players injured or in season long slumps, below average starts from main hurlers and a shaky bullpen, has added up to failure. Based on this stat, the Tribe should rebound to at least be respectable the rest of the way. They actually had a +15 differential, suggesting they should be better. What makes this a tough call is the mood of the front office. If they trade C.C. Sabathia or others, this is a moot point and should be ignored.
The Los Angeles Angels have had one of the best records in the AL all season, thanks to great starting pitching, quality fielding and closer Frankie Rodriguez. Take away any of those pieces and this is an ordinary club. The Angels are only +11 for differential, as next to last offense doesn’t score runs and middle relief has been battered with alarming numbers. If nothing changes, this will become Play Against squad and be overtaken by Oakland, who conceivably could have been three games better in the first half. The A’s scored more runs than the Angels and gave up fewer also. They can match L.A. starters, have better middle staff and are receiving better performances from inferior lineup. Watch Oakland.
The Phillies hitters have become quieter than a Philadelphia fan with his mouth taped shut and strapped to a chair. Nobody really believes this will last for the rest of the season and eventually they will come around. Their starting pitching is good enough in the National League, especially with the best bullpen in the bigs. Just watch for when the hits start being nine or more a game and start backing the Phils again.
Atlanta’s a challenging read at +45 differential. Injuries keep mounting to starting pitching, Chipper Jones has one injury after another, and they are starting to lose more home games. Though it appears the Braves are Play On team, tread lightly.
The Milwaukee Brewers finished 44-37 in the first half, however allowing two more runs than they scored suggests 40-41 was more accurate assessment. The Brewers still have road issues, are .500 against RH starters and average in putting crooked numbers on the board. The bullpen is serviceable, yet don’t think every one-run lead they take into the eighth inning, doesn’t have Milwaukee fans sitting up straighter and ordering another beer, just in case.
In truth, several teams will have far different records than imagined. Even so, the vast majority will have up and down spells and settle very close to what their percentage should be based on runs scored and runs allowed. This certainly is worth watching and using as reference point the rest of the season for wagering or other purposes. The following numbers are the projected end of the season records based on first 81-games runs scored and allowed.
AL East
Boston 96-66
Tampa Bay 93-69
N.Y. Yankees 86-76
Baltimore 80-82
Toronto 87-75
AL Central
Chicago 100-62
Minnesota 82-80
Detroit 82-80
Cleveland 84-78
Kansas City 71-91
AL West
L.A. Angels 83-79
Oakland 95-67
Texas 71-91
Seattle 68-94
NL East
Philadelphia 97-65
Florida 77-85
Atlanta 91-71
N.Y. Mets 81-81
Washington 57-105
NL Central
Chicago 101-61
St. Louis 85-77
Milwaukee 81-81
Pittsburgh 71-91
Houston 73-89
Cincinnati 66-96
NL West
Arizona 83-79
L.A. Dodgers 82-80
San Francisco 70-92
Colorado 65-97
San Diego 62-100
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment