Through the first three weeks of the 2015 season, the majors are averaging 8.33 runs per game, compared to 8.39 runs per game through the first three weeks of 2014. That is not a very big difference. Both seasons saw 277 games played through the first three weeks, and 2015 leads 2014 in home runs 507 to 506. What is down this year are walks and non-home run hits (NHRH). The decline in NHRH is especially interesting, because strikeouts are way down, from 16.0 per game in the 2014 time period to 15.2 per game in 2015. Fewer strikeouts should mean more balls in play, and a few more hits. This suggests BABIP is down; batters are making more contact, but it’s not as solid.

In general, if you believe the continued rise in strikeouts is a bad thing, this is good news. There may be an adjustment period as batters learn not only to make contact, but solid contact as well.