Baseball Opinion - "Where are we Runnin'?"

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"Where are we runnin'?"

Christopher Solberg, Editor
6/24/2008

After a brief look at the standings on ESPN.com today I couldn't help but think of a Lenny Kravitz song. There are some interesting things that I found out when I looked at the run differential column (runs scored minus runs allowed).

First, the Cleveland Indians have a 35-41 record despite a +15 run differential. That's 17 points higher than their rival Minnesota Twins, who by the way, sport a 40-36 record.

Another team with a decent run differential is the Toronto Blue Jays. Yes the team that has 36-41 record, has a +9 run differential, 23 points higher than the oddity that is the Baltimore Orioles.

In Atlanta, the Braves are sporting a nifty +40 run differential. No team in the majors currently has a run differential above +15, while having a winning percentage below .539....other than the Braves that is. Although their run differential is much higher than +15, just having that minimum winning percentage would put them firmly in second place in the NL East.

Yet the Braves are sitting at 38-40, a loosing record. It is a testiment to their unsettled closer position and just their general bad luck in one-run games.

Probably the most noteable difference though is the Oakland A's. Even though they sit in second place, five games back of the division leading LA Angels, their runs scored difference is +63. That figure is 49 points higher than the Angels and third in the American League, barely behind the Boston Red Sox.

In fact they have allowed the lease amount of runs in the majors (279) this season, with the next closest being the White Sox at 293.

Run differentials are sure a screwy thing.

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