Wednesday, May 7, 2008

Stat of the Week

Yesterday's Recap
Another frustrating loss. Redman is probably done as a Rockie other than he might be thrown to the bullpen for long relief (which seems to be a necessity of late). Giving your opponent an early lead is just killing the team. Already pressing, the offensive is immediately put in another no win situation. They made a late run but just couldn't get there.
Looking back at last year's schedule I believe the Roxs were in the same boat as in their opponents were really lead leaders and it wasn't until they started facing similar competition did they end up winning more. So far this season their current opponents record is 160 - 137 (.539). Of course are the D-backs that good or is their record padded because they faced an awful Roxs team? Regardless all the teams they have faced have winning records except for SD and SF.
Stat of the Week - Runs Created
The Runs Created stat was invented by Bill James to estimate the number of runs a hitter contributes to his team. Multiple versions (or formulas) exist for this stat. In its simplest form it is (hits + walks * total bases) divided by at bats + walks. In an effort to to complicate things ;-) a stolen base version exists as well as a "technical" version along with a 2002 updated version. The 2002 version appears to be the most used as it places a player in context with his team. The problems with this formula is that players with extreme on base percentages and slugging percentages tend to high and the fact that other players have to get you home once the player is on base because obviously a player can't hit himself home (well except for HR). Finally runs created is not factored due to ballpark effects or eras in which the player played. Rockies RC leaders for 2007:
Holliday 142.2
Helton 121.1
Atkins 106.0
Hawpe 104.1
Tulo 101.1

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