So here we are a day after the trade deadline and let's see how our OPS RANK+ WHIP RANK scores held up. (see below for what I wrote in May)
1. The Orioles did over take the Jays and they also caught the Yankees. Their current Rank score is 28 and they made no real moves to sure up their WHIP score.
2. The Jays are in second and their current rank is 29 and really out of balance 3/26. They hit the hell out of the ball but cannot pitch and made no real moves to improve that situation yesterday.
3. The Yankees took 2 big hits I don't believe they can over come in Tanaka and Sabathia. They tried to recover with a trade for Brandon McCarthy but I'm not sure it will be enough.
4. The Tigers statement was that they were firmly in the drivers seat in May and that is even more so today. Their Rank 24 was split 2 OPS and 22 WHIP. In part Verlander has not really been Verlander and the BP is still a weak link but big Dave was bold to acquire David Price and maybe Soria in the BP can help sure things up there. No one in the division is capable of catching them or making it interesting for that matter.
5. The Twins who? KC whom I had predicted to make the playoffs in the beginning of the year is coming on some but with a rank score of 39 and no solid moves at the deadline seemingly have no shot at even the second WC birth.
6. The A's clearly the best team in baseball in May are still clearly the best baseball team Aug1 with a score of 7 and some big time moves to add Lester and Samardzja definitely put some more separation between the others in the AL that might upset them in a playoff series.
7. The Angels have done a wonderful job in staying consistently on the heels of the A's, a sure WC spot with a rank score of 9 but no deals at the deadline is suspect.
8. The Braves in May looked to be able to hold off the Nats today that is not the case as the Nats are in first and have a rank score of 21 to the Braves 35. The pitching has really fallen off for the Braves while the Nats have picked it up some offensively. The Marlins may have something to say about the final standings before all is said and done. Stanton can still Mash and a pick-up of former Phillies top prospect Jared Cosart may help fill a void lost by the injury to Jose Fernandez.
9. We said the Brewers were formidable if you trusted their pitching well it's kind of held up. Their rank score today is 20 and while they made no major moves at the deadline Geraldo Parra is a nice extra piece.
10. The Cardinals rank score is 31. Things do not seem to be materializing for the Red Birds at all. Mozeliak dealt for Masterson and Lackey but gave up last seasons super hero's to get him in Craig and Kelly. Their biggest problem is OPS where their rank is 21. Unless the Brewers get the jitters down the stretch it appears to me they can hold on.
11. The Giants in May were unbelievable but much has changed since then and not much happened at the deadline to bolster their club. Their rank is 28 while the Dodgers have jumped to 14 which is the best score of any NL club.
12. The Rockies are far and away in the rear view mirror but get this they are still the 1 Rank in OPS. Unfortunately they are next to last in WHIP
If the statistics hold A's 7 Rank and Angels 9 Rank would hold off Tigers 24 Rank and the Orioles 28 Rank however it must be noted that David Price can and should make a big difference for the Tigers WHIP rank.
In the NL the Dodgers clearly are in a class above the rest which maybe is what they didn't part with any of their highly touted prospects for a major arm (Lester, Price, Hamels). Very balanced club with a 6 OPS Rank and a 8 WHIP Rank. Perfectly equipped to take a 7 game series.
In September we will check these rankings again and make a ALCS and NLCS prediction then use the SSS ranks of the playoffs to predict a World Series Champion.
(Written in May)
I'm wondering if there is a relationship here towards the end of May between a teams OPS RANK+ WHIP RANK score to whether or not they can sustain their place in the standings. I've long since believed I would build a team to achieve success on these two factors.
If my position players can OPS that means we are doing damage and scoring runs and if my pitchers can WHIP low my opponent won't. Let's record today's standings and look back on them at the trade deadline
AL EAST
Blue Jays=1 OPS Rank 14 WHIP Rank Score 15 (guess they won't sustain 1st place with a 14 WHIP)
Yankees=7 OPS Rank 6 WHIP Rank Score 13 (guess they over take 1st)
Orioles=8 OPS Rank 9 WHIP Rank Score 17 (guess they over take the Jay's but not the Yankees)
AL CENTRAL
Tigers=2 OPS Rank 5 WHIP Rank Score 7 (In the Driver Seat)
Twins=11 OPS Rank 11 WHIP Rank Score 22 (no way they stay in second)
AL WEST
A's=3 OPS Rank 1 WHIP Rank Score 4 (Clearly the best team in all of baseball)
Angels=4 OPS Rank 2 WHIP Rank Score 6 (Firm WC contender)
NL EAST
Braves=12 OPS Rank 2 WHIP Rank Score 14 (With a 2 Rank in WHIP they stay here or really close)
Marlins=2 OPS Rank 10 WHIP Rank Score 12 (yes they mash but pitching rules, they are not here in July)
NL CENTRAL
Brewers=9 OPS Rank 4 WHIP Rank Score 13 (Formidable if you trust the pitching holds)
Cardinals=10 OPS Rank 1 WHIP Rank Score 11 (bats likely to get hot at some point they move up to 1st)
NL WEST
Giants=4 OPS Rank 3 WHIP Rank Score 7 (Yes and Yes)
Rockies=1 OPS Rank 9 WHIP Rank Score 10 ( Dodgers are a 15 the Rockies hold onto 2nd)
The A's have the best score at 4 and just so happen to lead all of MLB in Wins with 30. Followed by the Giants and Tigers with the next best scores of 7, 29 Wins and 27 Wins respectively. The Brewers have 28 wins and there are 5 teams tied with 26 Wins.
A baseball season is a long horse race for sure and there are some good teams lurking in the back that have plenty of time to improve their scores. Especially those that are suffering do to injury and slated to get those injured stars back at some point.
