The Mets claimed their sixth straight series win with an 8-0 whitewashing of the Braves Wednesday afternoon. The Mets are now 6-2 in blowout games, ones decided by five or more runs.
- One day after managing just one hit, the Mets delivered eight hits, five of which went for extra-bases, including four home runs. The Braves starter had not allowed a homer prior to today’s game.
- Lucas Duda cracked two homers to center field. Duda has gone deep seven times in his last 15 games. Rene Rivera and Asdrubal Cabrera also hit home runs in the game.
- Steven Matz had another strong game. He went 7.2 IP, 0 ER, 0 BB and 8 Ks. He allowed just two hits.
- Mets hit the highway for an 11-game road trip.
I like that stat in blowout games.
People often say that good teams find a way to win the one-run games. But I’ve felt the opposite. The mark of a good team is to win games by more than one run. Meanwhile, one-run games tend to be dicey affairs.
This year’s Cubs have only gotten four saves from relievers because they are often winning by a wide margin. That’s the sign of a dominant team.
Here’s something from back in August of 2010:
“The six divisional leaders are 102-76 in one-run games. That makes an impressive .573 winning percentage. However, those six teams overall have a 365-260 record for a .584 winning percentage. The best teams in baseball have a worse record in one-run games. In blowout games, the six division winners have a 113-43 record for a .724 winning percentage.”
James, your instincts are supported by analysis done by none other that Bill James, the father of sabermetrics. I read all of his stiff voraciously back when those giant phone book sized pubs were the only way. Long before Gore invented the interwebbings. Anyhow, his conclusion stuck with me over all these years and his thought process matches your own, almost verbatim. And of course he came at the question from multiple angles and brought an exhausting amount of data to bear.
Life was so much simpler then. I looked forward to his abstract every year and then would spend days and weeks devouring it.
Hey Bull – good to see you around! Hope you’ll get a chance to join us in the chatters soon.
Flores 2 for 3 is encouraging.
It is! I’m hoping he can put up a respectable .275/.320/.400+ slash line off the bench this season. He could be a key piece if Wright starts to feel wear and tear.
Also, it’s good to see Duda on pace for 44 homers (per ESPN).
1986 Mets 29-20 .592 in 1 run games
27-9 .750 in games decided by 5 or more runs
What a great way to spend a Wednesday afternoon, watching the Mets blow out the Braves. Duda is on a roll and Flores is swinging the bat better. Matz was dominant. Looking forward to May 13th when the Mets play the Rockies. Bombs away!