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2016 Opening Day 2.0 Live Blog
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MJA
6:23
Hellickson is throwing a perfect game against The Not-Zack Cozarts
Craig Edwards
6:24
shadows apparently making it tough to hit now in rangers-Mariners game. Often a problem with mid-afternoon starts
Anonymous
6:24
A lot of analysts are turning to pitch f/x data over things like FIP
Craig Edwards
6:25
i think that both are useful and say different things. Ultimately, they both help answer the question as to what is real and what we can expect to happen in the future.
Terrible Ted
6:25
Sopranos certainly not as captivating as the other two. Definitely dragged at times. I really liked the subtleties especially compared to BB. I see more hook/cliff hanger with BB which you almost come to expect throughout each episode. What is your favourite series of all time?
Craig Edwards
6:25
Differenty category, but probably NewsRadio
Trainman
6:25
Orioles / Twins to get back underway at 630
Craig Edwards
6:25
i assume that means in 5 minutes.
Nate
6:27
I need a backup 2B in fantasy. Pedroia, Phillips, or Spangenberg?
Craig Edwards
6:27
traditional league-phillips
Robot Blue
6:28
How much do you think machines calling balls and strikes would change the game? The rule book strike zone isn’t the strike zone we see used in practice, and I have to think there is some shared psychology among hitters and batters with umps re: strike zone flexibility given the count, etc. Not to mention guys like Altuve would suddenly have a very different zone than what they are used to.
Craig Edwards
6:29
I don't think they would implement without a uniform zone that adapts to a player's size. I don't think we would really notice the difference all that much, but pitchers would likely challenge hitters more and we would see a better game overall.
LudeBurger
6:30
now that you have chosen to answer fantasy questions, get ready ;)
Craig Edwards
6:30
oh dear
Dubya
6:30
The new double play rule just happened in the Nats-Braves game. I think it's going to take some time for players to stop going for the takeout slide by instinct.
Craig Edwards
6:30
I would have liked to see the college rule implemented where you have to slide directly in to the bag on all force plays.
The FDP
6:31
Again, I totally agree with you on the sample Craig (who knows when you're looking at true talent), but (among possible other factors) intuitively if a guy has some control over getting GBs and FBs, he might be able to control which batters he is giving up GBs and FBs to. No data from me on this. Just speculating.
Craig Edwards
6:32
and defense and park play a big role as well. It is really complicated, but if we can drill it down enough, hopefully we can find something better than FIP, but nothing significantly better has come along yet.
6:33
and again, 20 points in BABIP against is only about a dozen hits over the course of the season if you can show that someone has that talent, how many pitchers will to where it is a big improvement over something more simple.
(not that) James
6:33
If I'm trying to discuss advanced/modern stats with someone who is unfamiliar, I'll often begin by asking about and then discussing batting average. Not sure where I read about it (here maybe!), but once people realize just how complicated and odd a stat that is, they tend to be less hesitant to consider newer stats.
Craig Edwards
6:34
I would not focus on statistics per se, but focus on whatever you think is important and go from there. Don't start off complicated. More important to pique curiosity and get someone to want to know more.
6:35
that's what makes a discussion of OBP so great. NOt getting out is the most important thing as a hitter and that is exactly what OBP represents. Strikeouts and wakls for pitchers are the same way.
Colin
6:35
I've always wondered about what you just mentioned Craig. I know hitters fare better during night games, but I always attributed this to them being more well rested. Have you seen any studies that show that the shadows are in fact the culprit?
Yordano
6:35
So im playing beat the streak and it would wise to ignore batter vs pitcher stats right?
Craig Edwards
6:35
yes
Sam C
6:36
Breaking Bad, and even moreso Better Call Saul, is pretty slow at times too... But it's stylized enough that it's enjoyable.
Craig Edwards
6:36
i agree with that. haven't seen this season of better call saul
CamdenWarehouse
6:36
NewsRadio is certainly one of the most underrated shows. At least pre-Lovitz.
Craig Edwards
6:36
that last season didn't happen
Zorak
6:37
I've been slowly working on my father-in-law w/r/t sabermetrics. He coached little league for 20 years and I barely played above tee-ball, so it's an uphill climb. I've had a lot of success convincing him that the basic notion of advanced stats are that results aren't always the same thing as effort, and you cna only judge players on what they control. A guy who throws 8 innings of 1 run ball with 10 strike-outs and picks up a loss is better than a guy who throws 6 innings, gives up 4 runs with 4 strikeouts and gets a win. Similarly, that a guy can smoke a line drive that the center fielder makes and amazing play on, while another guy hits a dribbler that the 3b whiffs on and get a hit, but didn't play better than the line drive guy. Those two things led me to explain BABIP to him, and then the basic concept of FIP, which gave me the groundwork to explain WAR enough that he doesn't outright scoff at advanced stats anymore, even if he still thinks I'm a nerd.
Yordano
6:37
Harper or Trout: Who has better year?
Craig Edwards
6:37
Trout, but really we are the winners.
Sam C
6:38
Would they though? Is it a foregone conclusion that all batters would have the same "automated" strike zone?
Craig Edwards
6:39
I think they would figure it out and designate what it is for each batter based on stance, etc.
mike d
6:39
What would you put as the over under for total MVPS for Mike Trout at the end of his career?
Craig Edwards
6:39
3.5
juan pierres mustache
6:40
my favorite part of opening day is learning what advertisements i will steadily grow to hate as mlbtv broadcasts them several thousand times in the first two weeks
loudest cheer i've heard today: pinch hitter jeff francouer works a walk. i wish i loved anything as much as atlanta loves jeff francouer
Bork
6:40
Dickey vs Smyly tonight. WHO YOU GOT?
Craig Edwards
6:40
Toronto?
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