October 21, 2007
Balls in Play
In terms of strikeouts and reaching base on balls in play, the series between the Indians and Red Sox is going as predicted:
American League Championship Series, 2007
| Indians | Red Sox |
|---|
| AB + SF | 211 | 211 |
| Home Runs | 8 | 8 |
| Strikeouts | 59 | 36 |
| Fieldable Balls in Play | 144 | 167 |
| BABIP | .306 | .323 |
Batting Average on Balls In Play (BABIP) is defined as (Hits-HR)/(AB-(HR+K)) and gives a quick and dirty approximation of 1-DER. The Red Sox collected ten more hits in the series due to striking out less and playing better defense. Combined with thirteen more walks, Boston leads Cleveland in runs scored 40-30. However, Boston held the BABIP advantage through the first four games as well. Bad timing and double plays kept them from winning in three of those games.