Block 2 Quick Hits

A few tid bits from Block 2. A couple mullings and wonderings, and a few interesting graphs. All in a days work around here for our fair League Nostalgia.

1. Detroit’s season as told with graphs

Hit By Pitches

Detroit has by far the most Hit By Pitches in the league through Block 2. The next closest to his league leading 20, is Houston with 16. The majority of teams hover around the 6 to 11 range, which makes his 20 all the more impressive. His players are paid to get on base, their contracts don’t stipulate how they do so however.

IRSC%

This might be the most impressive stat of all. The IRSC% calculates the percent of inherited runners that score. Detroit’s IRSC% sits at an amazing .100, a full .105 points below the next nearest team, Chicago. When his relievers come into the game, they straight slam that door shut with authority. With that in mind, it’s no surprise that he likewise leads the league with 13 saves.

BB Allowed

Detroit’s propensity for getting on base through “leaning into” some pitches allows for more base runners than any other team in the league. Along with that, Detroit has allowed the fewest walks as a pitching staff. Most of the league is grouped neatly between 58 through 83 walks allowed, however Detroit gives away less free bases to their opponents then anyone, a meager 51. A nice combination between the two statistics: allow fewer walks as a pitching staff, and get on base through hit by pitches to get more runners on the basepaths. Smart move Detroit.

2. Pitching Problems

Now for the flip side of the coin. Poor, poor Kansas City. The Kansas City pitching staff (137 ER) has given up almost exactly 2.5 times more runs through Block 3 than Atlanta (55 ER). To go along with that feat, Kansas City also owns a .297 batting average against. Hard to win games when the opponent is getting on base at that high of a rate, without including the 88 walks given up, which ranks 3rd most in the league. Ouch. Washington has the next closest, at .292, while the 3rd worst goes to Minnesota with a more moderate .279.

In terms of “well that’s pretty impressive,” Houston has given up the most walks in the league, 92. And yet, they have the 11th best runs against total. But perhaps even more impressive, is that they own a .218 IRSC%, which is 4th best in the league. So clearly the Houston bullpen is nothing to be trifled with, and yet, somehow, they are tied for second with the fewest number of saves with a mere 5. With a league leading number of free passes clogging up the base paths, it seems impressive that the bullpen is able to hold them down, especially given the fact that the back end of their bullpen isn’t closing out games at a prolific rate.

3. Top Five

I think it’s interesting to see which team in the top five might have the most tenuous hold on their position so far: 1. Detroit (.760), 2. New York (.692), 3. San Diego (.652), 4. Pittsburgh (.636), 5. Atlanta (.583).

This is by no means a rock solid stat, but I compared runs scored with runs against, to see what kind of differential would jump out.

Just by glancing through, it seems like New York might have some issues with runs against. They have 295 outfield assists, which ranks pretty high in the league; only 15 errors, which is right near the middle; and 32 double plays, which ranks 2nd. So, for the second best team in the league through Block 2, it’s impressive they have allowed almost 30 more runs than Pittsburgh. And yet, their run differential is the second best of the top contenders. If New York can reign in the runs against, watch out league.

Perhaps the most tenuous grip would be Pittsburg. While their runs against is comparable to the other teams, they have yet to ramp up the offense. Pittsburgh knew heading into the season scoring runs would be tough, and so far have relied on a solid pitching staff to garner wins. Pittsburgh starters have been solid, and while not overly impressive in terms of wins, their starters have only racked up 9 losses, 2nd fewest in the league. Pittsburgh has also given up the 2nd fewest number of hits, as well as own the 5th lowest IRSC% at a measly .233. Pittsburgh pitchers don’t get blown up often, which keeps them in games, just long enough to scratch out a few runs to win.