Category Archives: Keys to Contention

Anomaly Moments

Posted on May 8, 2013 by

Joe Maddon had this to say about his bullpen after the loss last night: “By the end of the season, that’s going to be one of the best bullpens in the American League. …I have that much faith in these … Continue reading →

Posted in Keys to Contention | 6 Comments

Matt Joyce’s Month

Posted on April 28, 2013 by

Matt Joyce is off to a sluggish start in 2013, exiting Sunday with a .209/.274/.403 slash line. He’s walked eight percent of the time and struck out in another 23 percent of his plate appearances. It’s an uncharacteristic start for Joyce, … Continue reading →

Posted in Keys to Contention, Skill talk | Tagged , | 3 Comments

Keys to Contention: Ben Zobrist’s Power

Posted on January 30, 2011 by

Ben Zobrist hit .238/.346/.353 in 2010. A modest rate when compared to second basemen (.265/.330/.389) and less so compared to big league outfielders (.267/.335/.425). If there is a player that requires perusal beyond the slash line statistics to understand his … Continue reading →

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Keys to Contention: First Base

Posted on January 30, 2011 by

Replacing Carlos Pena looked tougher before the Rays won the division despite the lovable first baseman hitting .196/.325/.407. In 2010, first basemen hit .264/.350/.452 leaving Pena’s production in the dust and the Rays knowing an upgrade to average is an … Continue reading →

Posted in Keys to Contention | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Keys to Contention: Holding Leads

Posted on January 29, 2011 by

Any explanation for this choice is going to border on banal. Instead, take comfort in the brevity and consider the table below. The numbers represent the win percentage for the Rays in games they held the lead entering the seventh, … Continue reading →

Posted in Keys to Contention | Tagged | 1 Comment