June 26, 2017

Weekly Look at Offense

Through 12 weeks of the 2017 season, the major leagues produced 9.36 runs per game compared to 8.86 runs per game through the first 12 weeks of 2016. That’s exactly half a run more per game. For the week, the majors produced 9.79 runs per game, the fourth week in a row ahead of the same week in 2016. Both seasons saw 1133 games played at his point of the season, so we can compare counting stats directly. There are 285 more home runs through 12 weeks this season, , 0.25 per game, accounting for at least half the run increase. There are 358 more walks, and 547 more strikeouts. Even though non-home run hits are down slightly, the majors are seeing .45 more batters reaching base per game, which makes the great number of home runs more effective.

I will say that this is about the right amount of offense for me. There’s enough to provide action, but not enough that pitchers can’t do well. Still some feel that all the strikeouts and walks and home runs deprive baseball of action, and the three-true outcome game is a boring game. I would actually like to hear from some economist how to change the incentives of the game to encourage more balls in play. I suspect defense is better than ever at a time when defense is needed the least.

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