2011 MLB Season Thread

[HedleyLamarr]

The Indians pitching has overachieved by a decent level compared to their peripherals. Middle of MLB in FIP/xFIP, 5th in ERA. It's not particularly sustainable, but with the rest of the division it might not need to be.

I don't know what any of that means but if you're saying you can't see them playing at this pace for the entire season, I agree.

FIP: Fielding Independent Pitching. It shows the quality of a pitcher's performance without defense and randomness included.

xFIP: Expected Fielding Independent Pitching. Basically the same as FIP but it replaces a pitcher's own home-run rate with the league average.

Yeah, that didn't help. I'm not in the "Sabermetrics are EVUL!" camp or anything but that doesn't change the fact that none of what you said makes a bit of sense to me. Are you guys saying that based on these numbers, the Indians won't play like this the entire season? If so, then I agree.

There are two types of people in this world: Those that understand Sabermetrics, and those that are getting laid.

There's a point where one becomes obsessed with stats. Sabermetrics is a perfect example of that. Are you really enjoying the simple game of baseball when you're worried about a team's/player's VORP, FIP, and WAR?

[The_Admiral]

I take an interest in BABIP and FIP. Also, sometimes a girl has sex with me. It's silly that we're still having this stats/sight debate. It's like asking if you want pizza for dinner or a Coke. Obviously, you drink a Coke with your pizza.

[loogodude90]

The Indians pitching has overachieved by a decent level compared to their peripherals. Middle of MLB in FIP/xFIP, 5th in ERA. It's not particularly sustainable, but with the rest of the division it might not need to be.

I don't know what any of that means but if you're saying you can't see them playing at this pace for the entire season, I agree.

FIP: Fielding Independent Pitching. It shows the quality of a pitcher's performance without defense and randomness included.

xFIP: Expected Fielding Independent Pitching. Basically the same as FIP but it replaces a pitcher's own home-run rate with the league average.

Yeah, that didn't help. I'm not in the "Sabermetrics are EVUL!" camp or anything but that doesn't change the fact that none of what you said makes a bit of sense to me. Are you guys saying that based on these numbers, the Indians won't play like this the entire season? If so, then I agree.

There are two types of people in this world: Those that understand Sabermetrics, and those that are getting laid.

There's a point where one becomes obsessed with stats. Sabermetrics is a perfect example of that. Are you really enjoying the simple game of baseball when you're worried about a team's/player's VORP, FIP, and WAR?

To be fair, it can make the game more interesting and give a fan more to think about/analyze, especially to those mathematically inclined. And baseball can always use anything to make it feel more interesting. It's not being "worried" about those stats, it's just fun sometimes to crunch numbers and sports stats. Almost to the same level of caring so much about sports logos and uniforms.

BTW, I personally don't get involved with Sabremetrics. I just don't care enough (yet). But I can definitely see why some people like that kind of thing.

[NJTank]

The Indians pitching has overachieved by a decent level compared to their peripherals. Middle of MLB in FIP/xFIP, 5th in ERA. It's not particularly sustainable, but with the rest of the division it might not need to be.

I don't know what any of that means but if you're saying you can't see them playing at this pace for the entire season, I agree.

FIP: Fielding Independent Pitching. It shows the quality of a pitcher's performance without defense and randomness included.

xFIP: Expected Fielding Independent Pitching. Basically the same as FIP but it replaces a pitcher's own home-run rate with the league average.

Yeah, that didn't help. I'm not in the "Sabermetrics are EVUL!" camp or anything but that doesn't change the fact that none of what you said makes a bit of sense to me. Are you guys saying that based on these numbers, the Indians won't play like this the entire season? If so, then I agree.

There are two types of people in this world: Those that understand Sabermetrics, and those that are getting laid.

There's a point where one becomes obsessed with stats. Sabermetrics is a perfect example of that. Are you really enjoying the simple game of baseball when you're worried about a team's/player's VORP, FIP, and WAR?

Bingo

[Lights Out]

There are two types of people in this world: Those that understand Sabermetrics, and those that are getting laid.

Is that you, Joe Morgan?

Are you really enjoying the simple game of baseball when you're worried about a team's/player's VORP, FIP, and WAR?

Couldn't one make the same point about ERA or batting average? Numbers are numbers, it's just that sabermetrics are more precise.

[BBTV]

There are two types of people in this world: Those that understand Sabermetrics, and those that are getting laid.

Probably not worthy of CCSLCPOTD, but I'll give you the BBTVPOTD for that one.

[Mings]

Is it bad that I don't even know what the hell Sabremetrics are? I just watch the damn game.

[NJTank]

Is it bad that I don't even know what the hell Sabremetrics are? I just watch the damn game.

No that means you actually enjoy the game for what it is.

[raysox]

Barry Bonds will pay college bills for Bryan Stow?s children

[TFoA]

I take an interest in BABIP and FIP. Also, sometimes a girl has sex with me. It's silly that we're still having this stats/sight debate. It's like asking if you want pizza for dinner or a Coke. Obviously, you drink a Coke with your pizza.

Agreed. I'm not a guy who takes sabremetrics as the gospel or whatever, but it's a great compliment to a game that's already stat-driven.

[Breakwood]

I take an interest in BABIP and FIP. Also, sometimes a girl has sex with me. It's silly that we're still having this stats/sight debate. It's like asking if you want pizza for dinner or a Coke. Obviously, you drink a Coke with your pizza.

Agreed. I'm not a guy who takes sabremetrics as the gospel or whatever, but it's a great compliment to a game that's already stat-driven.

I agree with both of you. Just because you enjoy the simplicity of baseball doesn't mean you can't appreciate some of the more in depth statistics SABR has develloped.

[Dexter Morgan]

ALL-STAR GAME PICKS

AL Team:

C. Russell Martin (NYY)

1B. Miguel Cabrera (DET)

2B. Howard Kendrick (LAA)

SS. Asdrubal Cabrera (CLE)

3B. Kevin Youkilis (BOS)

OF. Jose Bautista (TOR)

OF. Curtis Granderson (NYY)

OF. Matt Joyce (TB)

DH. David Ortiz (BOS)

NL Team:

C. Yadier Molina (STL)

1B. Joey Votto (CIN)

2B. Rickie Weeks (MIL)

SS. Troy Tulowitzki (COL)

3B. Ryan Roberts (ARI)

OF. Lance Berkman (STL)

OF. Matt Holliday (STL)

OF. Ryan Braun (MIL)

[FiddySicks]

Barry Bonds will pay college bills for Bryan Stow?s children

Way to go Bonds. I'm on the very short list of people who have always been a Bonds fan, but I can see why most dislike the guy. Hopefully this will show some that he's not just a completely heartless prick.

[DEAD!]

Barry Bonds will pay college bills for Bryan Stow?s children

Way to go Bonds. I'm on the very short list of people who have always been a Bonds fan, but I can see why most dislike the guy. Hopefully this will show some that he's not just a completely heartless prick.

You're right, he's a MOSTLY heartless prick...

[The_Admiral]

Tony La Russa donates to animal welfare causes. Doesn't mean he's not a longtime enabler of drug abuse and an all-around prick.

[pmoehrin]

I'm a big believer in sabermetrics myself, but if there's one thing I've learned about doing as much work as I've done with it, there's no such thing as a golden stat to instantly tell you how good somebody is.

Most people use WAR, I like it alot as well, but the problem I have with WAR is that I think it undercompensates for defense and overcompensates for guys at offensive positions like 1B and LF.

And if we're talking about compairing guys from 1960 to 2000 I wouldn't say its a good indicator and would call anything that came up to be highly subjective, and with pitchers its even worse because of the inning differences.

I do wish however that the writers would start accepting defensive sabermetrics or better yet just use common sense so Derek Jeter can stop getting so many damn gold gloves already. But he had the highest fielding percentage of any shortstop in the AL last year. And he was also dead last in chances per inning among starting shortstops, so what does that tell you about his range?

[infrared41]

I'm a big believer in sabermetrics myself, but if there's one thing I've learned about doing as much work as I've done with it, there's no such thing as a golden stat to instantly tell you how good somebody is.

Most people use WAR, I like it alot as well, but the problem I have with WAR is that I think it undercompensates for defense and overcompensates for guys at offensive positions like 1B and LF.

And if we're talking about compairing guys from 1960 to 2000 I wouldn't say its a good indicator and would call anything that came up to be highly subjective, and with pitchers its even worse because of the inning differences.

I do wish however that the writers would start accepting defensive sabermetrics or better yet just use common sense so Derek Jeter can stop getting so many damn gold gloves already. But he had the highest fielding percentage of any shortstop in the AL last year. And he was also dead last in chances per inning among starting shortstops, so what does that tell you about his range?

There's never going to be a method that's very accurate for measuring individual defense in baseball.

[TrueYankee26]

Mo's appearance was his 1000th for the Yankees, the most appearances on 1 team by a pitcher in history.

[pmoehrin]

I'm a big believer in sabermetrics myself, but if there's one thing I've learned about doing as much work as I've done with it, there's no such thing as a golden stat to instantly tell you how good somebody is.

Most people use WAR, I like it alot as well, but the problem I have with WAR is that I think it undercompensates for defense and overcompensates for guys at offensive positions like 1B and LF.

And if we're talking about compairing guys from 1960 to 2000 I wouldn't say its a good indicator and would call anything that came up to be highly subjective, and with pitchers its even worse because of the inning differences.

I do wish however that the writers would start accepting defensive sabermetrics or better yet just use common sense so Derek Jeter can stop getting so many damn gold gloves already. But he had the highest fielding percentage of any shortstop in the AL last year. And he was also dead last in chances per inning among starting shortstops, so what does that tell you about his range?

There's never going to be a method that's very accurate for measuring individual defense in baseball.

I would agree going along the same line as what I said before about there being no golden stat, but at the same time, its not like the defensive sabermetrics are worthless.

[infrared41]

I'm a big believer in sabermetrics myself, but if there's one thing I've learned about doing as much work as I've done with it, there's no such thing as a golden stat to instantly tell you how good somebody is.

Most people use WAR, I like it alot as well, but the problem I have with WAR is that I think it undercompensates for defense and overcompensates for guys at offensive positions like 1B and LF.

And if we're talking about compairing guys from 1960 to 2000 I wouldn't say its a good indicator and would call anything that came up to be highly subjective, and with pitchers its even worse because of the inning differences.

I do wish however that the writers would start accepting defensive sabermetrics or better yet just use common sense so Derek Jeter can stop getting so many damn gold gloves already. But he had the highest fielding percentage of any shortstop in the AL last year. And he was also dead last in chances per inning among starting shortstops, so what does that tell you about his range?

There's never going to be a method that's very accurate for measuring individual defense in baseball.

I would agree going along the same line as what I said before about there being no golden stat, but at the same time, its not like the defensive sabermetrics are worthless.

I never said they were.