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Why Does a Team Outperform
its Run Differential?
Greg Ackerman
Syracuse University Sabermetrics Club
SU Sabermetrics Club
 SABR Student Group Affiliate
 Justin Mattingly
 Joey Weinberg
 Colby Conetta
 Ray Garzia
 Mallory Miller
 Zack Potter
 Marcus Shelmidine
 Brandon Love
 Matt Tanenbaum
 Bryan Kilmeade
 Justin Moritz
 Stephen Marciello
 Kyle OConnor
 Willie Kniesner
 Michael Rotondo
 Matt Russo
 Sam Fortier
 Matt Filippi
 Isaac Nelson
 Zack Albright
 John Van Ermen
 Colton Smith
 Chris Karasinski
 Zach Tornabene
Basic Premise
 Explain the Difference between Actual Win Percentage and Expected Win Percentage based on Run
Differential (Expected Win Percentage based upon Pythagenpat formula from run differential)
 X = ((runs scored + runs against)/games)^.285
 If achieve run differential to possibly put team in playoffs  do not want to squander it
 If borderline run differential for playoffs  could be difference in attaining playoff spot
 Will focus on 3 key factors that may influence teams outperforming or underperforming their run differential
 Performance of Bench
 Relief Pitching
 Pitching Depth
 Part II  Add managerial decisions to the model
 Pinch Hitters Used
 Defensive Substitutions
 Relievers Used
 Etc.
Charts
 Average of (Actual Win % - Expected Win %)
 Standard Deviation of (Actual Win % - Expected Win %)
 Variables calculated from www.baseball-reference.com
 Team Examples of Difference in Actual Win % - Expected Win %
 San Francisco Giants
 St. Louis Cardinals
 New York Yankees
 Toronto Blue Jays
 Colorado Rockies
-0.02
-0.015
-0.01
-0.005
0
0.005
0.01
0.015
0.02
0.025
Average of Actual Win% - Expected Win% - By Team - 2000-2013
0
0.005
0.01
0.015
0.02
0.025
0.03
0.035
0.04
Standard Deviation of Actual Win% - Exp. Win% - By Team  2000-2013
-0.02
-0.01
0
0.01
0.02
0.03
0.04
0.05
2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012
San Francisco Giants - Difference in Actual and Expected Win Percentage
-0.04
-0.03
-0.02
-0.01
0
0.01
0.02
0.03
0.04
0.05
2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013
St. Louis Cardinals - Difference in Actual and Expected Win Percentage
-0.04
-0.02
0
0.02
0.04
0.06
0.08
2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013
New York Yankees - Difference in Actual and Expected Win Percentage
-0.08
-0.06
-0.04
-0.02
0
0.02
0.04
0.06
2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013
Toronto Blue Jays  Difference in Actual and Expected Win Percentage
-0.06
-0.05
-0.04
-0.03
-0.02
-0.01
0
0.01
0.02
0.03
2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013
Colorado Rockies - Difference in Actual and Expected Win Percentage
Measures of Bench (Hitters) Performance
 OPS+ - On-Base Average plus Slugging Percentage  Adjusted for Park and
League
 HR  Home Runs
 SB  Stolen Bases
 CS  Caught Stealing
 Calculated from Baseball Reference  using only bench players listed for
each team  weighted average based upon plate appearances of each
player
 Ultimately, only included OPS+
 Other variables did not add statistical value to the regression model beyond OPS+
Measure of Relief/Depth Pitcher Performance
 FIP  Fielding Independent Pitching
 ERA+ - Earned Run Average adjusted for ballpark
 SO/W  strike out to walk ratio
 Calculated as a weighted average based upon innings pitched
 Calculated for group of relievers noted on Baseball-Reference  includes
closer and top 4 used relievers
 Calculated for group of depth pitchers noted on Baseball Reference-
includes pitchers not included in starters or relievers categories
Regression Model I
 After different regression model incarnations  settled upon the
following to illustrate results:
 (Actual  Expected Win %)i = 留0 +硫1 (Bench OPS+) + 硫2 (Relief variable)
+ 硫3 (Pitching Depth variable) + 竜i
Regression Results  (Actual Win% - Pyth
Win%) on Bench and Relief Pitching
Performance
I II III
Intercept
0.0206
(1.4307)
Intercept
0.0071
(0.5750)
Intercept
-0.0102
(-1.0729)
OPS+ - Bench
0.00001
(0.1104)
OPS+ - Bench
0.00002
(0.1911)
OPS+ - Bench
0.00002
(0.1795)
FIP  Relief
-0.0044**
(-1.9130)
ERA  Relief
-0.0026
(-1.5358)
KBB  Relief
0.0014
(1.3735)
FIP  Depth
-0.0009
(-0.4956)
ERA  Depth
0.0001
(0.0756)
KBB  Depth
0.0007
(0.7328)
Results
 Variables have expected signs for bench (hitter) performance, relief
pitching, and pitching depth
 Only statistically significant result is for relief pitching performance
 Specifically  FIP
 FIP has a negative and significant impact on (Actual Win Percentage 
Exp. Win Percentage)
 As FIP increases  has negative impact on dependent variable
 More likely to underperform run differential
 As FIP decreases  has positive impact on dependent variable
 More likely to outperform run differential
Sample Bench OPS+ Relief FIP Depth FIP
top 10% Seasons -
Outperform Run Diff
81.56304 3.66215 4.691264
Bottom 10% Seasons -
Underperform Run Diff
81.63799 3.981814 4.769715
% Differential Between
Samples
-0.09% -8.03% -1.64%
65
70
75
80
85
90
Average of Bench OPS+
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
FIP - Relief and Pitching Depth
FIP-Relief FIP-Depth
Managerial Decisions
 For Next Step: Added Managerial Decisions to the Data Set
 To measure managerial decisions  used the Bill James Handbook
 Attempt to measure the impact of various managerial decisions on
the ability to outperform (underperform) a teams run differential
Managerial Decision Variables
 Pinch Hitters Used
 Pinch Runners Used
 Defensive Substitutions
 Relief Pitchers: Innings Pitched
 Stolen Bases Attempted
 Sacrifices Attempted
 Pitch Outs Ordered
Regression Model II
 (Actual  Expected Win %)i = 留0 +硫1 (Bench OPS+) + 硫2 (Relief FIP) + 硫3
(Pitching Depth FIP) + 硫4 (Pinch Hitters) + 硫5 (Pinch Runners) + 硫6
(Defensive Substitutions) + 硫7 (Relief Innings) + 硫8 (SB Attempts) + 硫9
(SAC Attempts) + 硫10 (Pitch Outs) + 竜i
Variable Coefficient Variable Coefficient
Intercept 0.0200
(0.9657)
Defensive
Substitutions
0.0003***
(3.5602)
OPS+ - Bench -0.00003
(-0.2786)
Relief Innings Pitched -0.00004
(-1.4258)
FIP  Relief -0.0023
(-0.9656)
Stolen Bases
Attempted
0.000007
(0.3458)
FIP  Depth 0.0012
(0.5889)
Sacrifices Attempted -0.00002
(-0.2871)
Pinch Hitters Used -0.000004
(-0.1621)
Pitch Outs Ordered -0.0002**
(-2.0751)
Pinch Runners Used 0.00004
(0.4072)
Results
 Two statistically significant managerial variables:
 Defensive Substitutions  (+)  significant at the 1% level
 Pitchouts Ordered  (-)  significant at the 5% level
 Defensive Substitutions  more defensive substitutions used  greater
likelihood to outperform run differential
 Part is managerial decision
 Part is roster flexibility
 Pitchouts Ordered  more pitchouts ordered  greater likelihood to
underperform run differential
 Part is wasting a pitch
 Part is lack of faith in catcher/pitcher
 Likely a proxy for risk averse behavior on part of manager
Results
 Relief Pitcher Innings Pitched  (-) but not quite statistically significant
(15% level)
 When Managerial Statistics included  impact of FIP-Relievers is
lessened as well  no longer statistically significant
 Tried including one or the other  not quite statistically significant
 Appears to still have some marginal effect on ability to
outperform/underperform run differential
Sample Defensive
Substitutions
Relievers
Used
Pitch Outs
top 10% Seasons -
Outperform Run Diff
36.0732 444.0732 17.2927
Bottom 10% Seasons -
Underperform Run Diff
26.1892 458.7222 21.5000
% Differential Between
Samples
37.74% -0.03% 19.57%
Run diff pp update1
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
45
50
Average of Defensive Substitutions Used
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
Average of Pitchouts Ordered
Conclusions
 Aimed to determine why teams outperform/underperform run differential
 Is it just luck?  or are there factors that contribute to its explanation?
 Without Manager Data  it appears that Relief Pitcher Performance
(measured by FIP) plays an important role
 Increase in FIP by Relievers  more likely to underperform
 Decrease in FIP by Relievers  more likely to outperform
 With Manager Data
 Defensive Substitutions  more defensive subs  more likely to outperform
 Pitchouts  likely proxy for risk aversion (poor catching performance?)  more
pitchouts  more likely to underperform run differential
 Starting point of our research  hope to learn more in future  open to
different variables/approaches to help determine answers

More Related Content

Run diff pp update1

  • 1. Why Does a Team Outperform its Run Differential? Greg Ackerman Syracuse University Sabermetrics Club
  • 2. SU Sabermetrics Club SABR Student Group Affiliate Justin Mattingly Joey Weinberg Colby Conetta Ray Garzia Mallory Miller Zack Potter Marcus Shelmidine Brandon Love Matt Tanenbaum Bryan Kilmeade Justin Moritz Stephen Marciello Kyle OConnor Willie Kniesner Michael Rotondo Matt Russo Sam Fortier Matt Filippi Isaac Nelson Zack Albright John Van Ermen Colton Smith Chris Karasinski Zach Tornabene
  • 3. Basic Premise Explain the Difference between Actual Win Percentage and Expected Win Percentage based on Run Differential (Expected Win Percentage based upon Pythagenpat formula from run differential) X = ((runs scored + runs against)/games)^.285 If achieve run differential to possibly put team in playoffs do not want to squander it If borderline run differential for playoffs could be difference in attaining playoff spot Will focus on 3 key factors that may influence teams outperforming or underperforming their run differential Performance of Bench Relief Pitching Pitching Depth Part II Add managerial decisions to the model Pinch Hitters Used Defensive Substitutions Relievers Used Etc.
  • 4. Charts Average of (Actual Win % - Expected Win %) Standard Deviation of (Actual Win % - Expected Win %) Variables calculated from www.baseball-reference.com Team Examples of Difference in Actual Win % - Expected Win % San Francisco Giants St. Louis Cardinals New York Yankees Toronto Blue Jays Colorado Rockies
  • 6. 0 0.005 0.01 0.015 0.02 0.025 0.03 0.035 0.04 Standard Deviation of Actual Win% - Exp. Win% - By Team 2000-2013
  • 7. -0.02 -0.01 0 0.01 0.02 0.03 0.04 0.05 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 San Francisco Giants - Difference in Actual and Expected Win Percentage
  • 8. -0.04 -0.03 -0.02 -0.01 0 0.01 0.02 0.03 0.04 0.05 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 St. Louis Cardinals - Difference in Actual and Expected Win Percentage
  • 9. -0.04 -0.02 0 0.02 0.04 0.06 0.08 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 New York Yankees - Difference in Actual and Expected Win Percentage
  • 10. -0.08 -0.06 -0.04 -0.02 0 0.02 0.04 0.06 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 Toronto Blue Jays Difference in Actual and Expected Win Percentage
  • 11. -0.06 -0.05 -0.04 -0.03 -0.02 -0.01 0 0.01 0.02 0.03 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 Colorado Rockies - Difference in Actual and Expected Win Percentage
  • 12. Measures of Bench (Hitters) Performance OPS+ - On-Base Average plus Slugging Percentage Adjusted for Park and League HR Home Runs SB Stolen Bases CS Caught Stealing Calculated from Baseball Reference using only bench players listed for each team weighted average based upon plate appearances of each player Ultimately, only included OPS+ Other variables did not add statistical value to the regression model beyond OPS+
  • 13. Measure of Relief/Depth Pitcher Performance FIP Fielding Independent Pitching ERA+ - Earned Run Average adjusted for ballpark SO/W strike out to walk ratio Calculated as a weighted average based upon innings pitched Calculated for group of relievers noted on Baseball-Reference includes closer and top 4 used relievers Calculated for group of depth pitchers noted on Baseball Reference- includes pitchers not included in starters or relievers categories
  • 14. Regression Model I After different regression model incarnations settled upon the following to illustrate results: (Actual Expected Win %)i = 留0 +硫1 (Bench OPS+) + 硫2 (Relief variable) + 硫3 (Pitching Depth variable) + 竜i
  • 15. Regression Results (Actual Win% - Pyth Win%) on Bench and Relief Pitching Performance I II III Intercept 0.0206 (1.4307) Intercept 0.0071 (0.5750) Intercept -0.0102 (-1.0729) OPS+ - Bench 0.00001 (0.1104) OPS+ - Bench 0.00002 (0.1911) OPS+ - Bench 0.00002 (0.1795) FIP Relief -0.0044** (-1.9130) ERA Relief -0.0026 (-1.5358) KBB Relief 0.0014 (1.3735) FIP Depth -0.0009 (-0.4956) ERA Depth 0.0001 (0.0756) KBB Depth 0.0007 (0.7328)
  • 16. Results Variables have expected signs for bench (hitter) performance, relief pitching, and pitching depth Only statistically significant result is for relief pitching performance Specifically FIP FIP has a negative and significant impact on (Actual Win Percentage Exp. Win Percentage) As FIP increases has negative impact on dependent variable More likely to underperform run differential As FIP decreases has positive impact on dependent variable More likely to outperform run differential
  • 17. Sample Bench OPS+ Relief FIP Depth FIP top 10% Seasons - Outperform Run Diff 81.56304 3.66215 4.691264 Bottom 10% Seasons - Underperform Run Diff 81.63799 3.981814 4.769715 % Differential Between Samples -0.09% -8.03% -1.64%
  • 19. 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 FIP - Relief and Pitching Depth FIP-Relief FIP-Depth
  • 20. Managerial Decisions For Next Step: Added Managerial Decisions to the Data Set To measure managerial decisions used the Bill James Handbook Attempt to measure the impact of various managerial decisions on the ability to outperform (underperform) a teams run differential
  • 21. Managerial Decision Variables Pinch Hitters Used Pinch Runners Used Defensive Substitutions Relief Pitchers: Innings Pitched Stolen Bases Attempted Sacrifices Attempted Pitch Outs Ordered
  • 22. Regression Model II (Actual Expected Win %)i = 留0 +硫1 (Bench OPS+) + 硫2 (Relief FIP) + 硫3 (Pitching Depth FIP) + 硫4 (Pinch Hitters) + 硫5 (Pinch Runners) + 硫6 (Defensive Substitutions) + 硫7 (Relief Innings) + 硫8 (SB Attempts) + 硫9 (SAC Attempts) + 硫10 (Pitch Outs) + 竜i
  • 23. Variable Coefficient Variable Coefficient Intercept 0.0200 (0.9657) Defensive Substitutions 0.0003*** (3.5602) OPS+ - Bench -0.00003 (-0.2786) Relief Innings Pitched -0.00004 (-1.4258) FIP Relief -0.0023 (-0.9656) Stolen Bases Attempted 0.000007 (0.3458) FIP Depth 0.0012 (0.5889) Sacrifices Attempted -0.00002 (-0.2871) Pinch Hitters Used -0.000004 (-0.1621) Pitch Outs Ordered -0.0002** (-2.0751) Pinch Runners Used 0.00004 (0.4072)
  • 24. Results Two statistically significant managerial variables: Defensive Substitutions (+) significant at the 1% level Pitchouts Ordered (-) significant at the 5% level Defensive Substitutions more defensive substitutions used greater likelihood to outperform run differential Part is managerial decision Part is roster flexibility Pitchouts Ordered more pitchouts ordered greater likelihood to underperform run differential Part is wasting a pitch Part is lack of faith in catcher/pitcher Likely a proxy for risk averse behavior on part of manager
  • 25. Results Relief Pitcher Innings Pitched (-) but not quite statistically significant (15% level) When Managerial Statistics included impact of FIP-Relievers is lessened as well no longer statistically significant Tried including one or the other not quite statistically significant Appears to still have some marginal effect on ability to outperform/underperform run differential
  • 26. Sample Defensive Substitutions Relievers Used Pitch Outs top 10% Seasons - Outperform Run Diff 36.0732 444.0732 17.2927 Bottom 10% Seasons - Underperform Run Diff 26.1892 458.7222 21.5000 % Differential Between Samples 37.74% -0.03% 19.57%
  • 30. Conclusions Aimed to determine why teams outperform/underperform run differential Is it just luck? or are there factors that contribute to its explanation? Without Manager Data it appears that Relief Pitcher Performance (measured by FIP) plays an important role Increase in FIP by Relievers more likely to underperform Decrease in FIP by Relievers more likely to outperform With Manager Data Defensive Substitutions more defensive subs more likely to outperform Pitchouts likely proxy for risk aversion (poor catching performance?) more pitchouts more likely to underperform run differential Starting point of our research hope to learn more in future open to different variables/approaches to help determine answers

Editor's Notes

  • #4: We are not looking at starting pitching and starting lineup, rather we are looking at performance of bench, relief pitching, and pitching depth.
  • #6: Talk about the Yankees, Giants, and Cardinals having high averages and have been outperforming their run differential between 2000 and 2013, while teams like the Blue Jays, Rockies, and
  • #7: One interesting thing here is that the Giants have the lowest standard deviation between 2000 and 2013
  • #8: 0 is what we would expect, so the Giants have regularly outperformed their run differential
  • #12: Last of team group
  • #13: The key to this is that we used a weighted average for each team amongst bench hitters only, according to baseball-reference. We are really only going to be focusing on OPS+ because it is the most promising of the bench statistics.
  • #14: This is a weighted average of FIP, ERA+, and SO/BBW. We used
  • #15: The dependent variable here is actual expected win percentage. The independent variables are bench OPS+, and a variable amongst FIP, ERA, or strikeout to walk ratio amongst the top five relievers and depth pitching.
  • #16: These are all very small numbers because we are dealing with trying to explain a very small number, which is the difference between actual and expected win percentage.
  • #17: This makes sense because if you are not pitching well in late innings, you are likely to underperform your run differential, while if you have good Fielding Independent Pitching amongst relievers, they are more likely to outperform their run differential.
  • #18: This slide shows the best seasons and worst seasons in terms of outperforming and overperforming run differential. The only place we have a sizeable difference between the top 10% and bottom 10% of seasons is in relief FIP, as there is a 8.03% dropoff.
  • #19: This just gives an idea of the average bench OPS+ amongst the team.
  • #20: This is the difference between relief and depth FIP.