4 replies to this topic

[BSLChrisStoner]

Balt Baseball.com: New rules, schedule present new challenges for Orioles in 2023

https://www.baltimor...s-orioles-2023/

[dude]

I think Rich is using a different definition of the word "challenges".

[bmore_ken]

The bigger challenge was not improving the team.

[Nigel Tufnel]

Somebody asked Bill James if the new schedule might help the Red Sox.  He said no.

 

QUOTE The Red Sox played almost .600 ball last year (61-43) except for their abysmal record (17-41) against 3 Division rivals: NY, Toronto, and Tampa Bay. They also played by far the most difficult schedule in AL; pretty much 20 more games against teams over .500 than any other team in the league.  

 

RESPONSE But that's a phony measurement.  The only reason the Red Sox played more games against .500+ teams than the other teams in their division is that they didn't get to play themselves.  Everybody else in the division was over .500, the Red Sox were under .500, they didn't get to play themselves, so they had to play a stronger schedule than anyone else did.  It's not a real thing; it's a misleading measurement.  

 

 

QUOTE The Red Sox will play 24 fewer games against AL East Teams teams in 2023. Wouldn't it stand to reason that they are helped more than any other team by the new balanced schedule?

 

RESPONSE:  No, it doesn't stand to reason AT ALL.  They will be "helped" by that, if you want to see it that way, to the same extent that every other team in the division will.  But since they are competing against one another for total wins, there is no net effect for the division or for any team within the division.   All that will happen is that the imbalance between the divisions, if it persists, will become more obvious.   

 

[Mackus]

I think he's right that it doesn't help you win the division. It does help you for Wild Cards.