All articles tagged with #run differential
Michael Kay dismisses the Toronto Blue Jays as a first-place team despite their current tie with the Yankees, arguing that run differential indicates they are not truly a top team. However, the Blue Jays' recent win and overall standings confirm they are indeed in first place in the AL East, illustrating that run differential alone doesn't determine a team's position in the standings.
The Texas Rangers continue to dominate offensively, scoring double-digit runs for the 15th time this season and recording their fifth game with 15 or more runs. Their plus-143 run differential is the highest a team has recorded through 57 games since the 1939 Yankees. The Rangers' top three hitters, Marcus Semien, Corey Seager, and Nathaniel Lowe, went 10 for 17 with nine RBIs and eight runs scored in the win against the Seattle Mariners. The Rangers hold a two-game lead over the Houston Astros in the American League West.
Despite a 19-21 record, Jon Heyman believes the Chicago Cubs are better than their record suggests and are contenders to win the division. The Cubs have the best run differential in the division, and Heyman thinks the team is talented and will be fine. The Cubs are currently four games back from the first-place Milwaukee Brewers and 2.5 games back from the second-place Pittsburgh Pirates. While the easiest path to the postseason might be winning the division, the Cubs are currently closer to a Wild Card spot.
The Tampa Bay Rays have made history with their unbeaten start to the 2023 MLB season, winning their first 10 games with a plus-58 run differential. While their success can be attributed to a soft schedule, the Rays' internal expectations and team camaraderie have also played a role. The team leads in multiple categories, including runs scored, runs allowed, OPS, ERA, barrel %, and hard hit %. While their early dominance may not be sustainable, the Rays' strong performance suggests they are a team to watch this season.
The Tampa Bay Rays have tied a modern-day MLB record last accomplished 84 years ago by winning their first eight games of the season, all by at least four runs. Their plus-46 run differential is the highest ever through a team's first eight games since before 1900, and their 21 home runs are tied for the second-most ever in a team's first eight contests. The Rays have faced relatively weak opponents so far, but their dominant start is still impressive.