Tigers regain No. 1 in BP ranking
posted in Power rankings |Baseball Prospectus returned the Tigers to No. 1 in its power rankings.
Those questioning their success thus far (hate to single out a subgroup of pesky South Side fans, but if the white sock fits…) should remember the almost universal tendency to underrate run prevention as compared to run scoring. As Baseball Between the Numbers points out, per the Pythagorean formula, a typical team can gain about one more win per year by subtracting 100 runs allowed than it can by adding 100 scored. Does that mean the Tigers won’t regress? Not at all, but until they do, they deserve their ranking here, thanks in part to having four starters among the league’s top 17 in VORP (definition), and nearly a four-game advantage in the Support-Neutral rankings.
Because they actually provide their ranking criteria:
Sphere ItThe Prospectus Hit List rankings are derived from Won-Loss records and several measurements pertaining to run differentials, both actual and adjusted, from Baseball Prospectus Adjusted Standings through the close of play on every Sunday.
