Interesting Stat

[elsrbueno]

In his latest article, Peter Gammons offered up this interesting statistic:

 

In the first 15 games after the Boston/Cubs/Twins/Expos trade, the batting average on balls put in play against the Cubs rose from .330 to .357, while the same average against the Red Sox declined from .336 to .308.

 

So one can argue that the difference between Cabrera and Nomar defensively is pretty significant (which we already knew), and I expect Cabby to return to .280 BA/20 HR/80 RBI type numbers soon.

 

Plus, Mientkiewicz helps this a lot, too.

 

So, the goal of the Red Sox management was to improve defense. It looks like they've accomplished that goal...

[elsrbueno]

More stats (these I compiled by myself):

 

The 5 starting pitchers July vs August #s

 

July

Name/ERA/W-L/WHIP/BAA

Schilling/4.15/2-1/1.17/.270

Martinez/5.45/3-1/1.24/.248

Arroyo/2.83/2-0/1.00/.225

Wakefield/3.75/2-1/1.38/.307

Lowe/5.66/3-2/1.74/.310

 

August

Name/ERA/W-L/WHIP/BAA

Schilling/4.30/2-1/1.18/.257

Martinez/1.17/2-0/0.91/.217

Arroyo/4.35/1-2/1.24/.241

Wakefield/7.85/2-1/1.27/.247

Lowe/3.66/2-1/1.35/.275

 

 

What do these stats mean? Whatever you want them to mean. What I see, is that with the exception of Bronson Arroyo, ALL of the starters BAA and WHIP have gone down from July to August. Schilling's ERA is about the same (up a little), Lowe and Martinez have dropped, Arroyo/Wakefield have raised.

 

The rotation's record in July: 10-5

The rotation's record in August: 8-5

 

Overall Red Sox pitching staff for July:

ERA/W-L/WHIP/BAA

4.67/14-12/1.41

4.23/9-6/1.15

 

Granted, the sample size is smaller, but half way through August, the Sox are playing .600 ball, vs .538 in July.