Numbers to Know

when lo0king at spring training stats.

Florida games:    .254 batting average, .331 onbase, .414 slugging, 9.4 runs per game

Arizona games:   .275   (+21!)         .351 (+20)   .469 (+55!),  11.5  (+2.1)

Offense is 22% higher in Cactus games than Grapefruit games.

On top of that, teams have wildly different run environments, even within the two leagues. The run environment includes what might be called park factors – although, over just 15 or so games, it also includes windy days, umpires, and a whole lot variability. It also will lean strongly for teams whose pitching is a lot better than their hitting (low run envi), or vice versa (high runs). Which may be the main reason that the Baltimore Orioles (good offense, suspect pitching) are playing in the most extreme run environment of the spring; 11.3 runs per game is 21% than the Florida average. Their real-life neighbors, the Washington Nationals, are playing the most extreme low run environment this spring, with a 7.3 rpg (a lower run environment than the 1968 Washington Senators!), 23% below average.

all teams run environments, relative to their league average

1. Baltimore 1.211
2. San Francisco  1.197
3. Pittsburgh 1.137
4. Detroit 1.108
5. White Sox 1.106
6. Oakland 1.090
7. Houston 1.087
8. Toronto 1.075
9. Arizona 1.075
10. Cleveland 1.073
11. Mets 1.068
12. Kansas City 1.066
13. Yankees 1.045
14. Boston 1.035
15. San Diego 1.030
16. Dodgers 1.008
17. St Louis .997
18. Philadelphia .947
19. Texas .942
20. Cincinnati .932
21. Cubs .931
22. Tampa Bay .919
23. Angels .914
24. Colorado .890
25. Minnesota .883
26. Seattle .873
27. Milwaukee .867
28. Atlanta .855
29. Miami .840
30. Washington .776