The Yankees

[ZippyTheChimp]

For all Granderson has done this year, Cano has become the most feared hitter in the lineup. He stepped into Arod's cleanup spot and provided cover for both Granderson and Tex. His at-bat in the first game, when he smashed the double to the wall in left center, has become a textbook pattern. Two strikes, and he spoils pitch after pitch until get gets one he can center. No one else on the team is as relaxed hitting with two strikes.

[eddhead]

OPS Leaders in AL

I realize Sabermetrics are not all that popular around here, but I consider OPS to be a great indicator of worth, or - dare I say - 'value', because unlike RBI's and Runs Scored, it is a mostly non-dependant stat. To illustrate, scoring a run, requires that someone drive you in. Driving in a run requires someone be on base in front of you. In both cases, sucess depends on assistance from another player. Hence teams with superior supporting casts hold advantages on those who do not.

But OPS is more of a stand-alone statistic. A high score is less dependant upon the relative success of others in the line-up. Here are this years OPS leaders:

MLB Player Batting Stats - 2011

Sortable Batting
RK	PLAYER	TEAM	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	SB	CS	BB	SO	AVG	OBP	SLG	OPS
1	Jose Bautista	TOR	492	103	148	23	2	42	100	8	5	125	105	.301	.444	.612	1.056
2	Miguel Cabrera	DET	544	102	181	45		26	98	2	1	105	87	.333	.440	.559	.999
3	David Ortiz	BOS	500	83	156	39	1	29	96	1	1	74	78	.312	.401	.568	.969
4	Adrian Gonzalez	BOS	610	107	208	45	3	27	116	1		68	116	.341	.409	.557	.967
5	Curtis Granderson	NYY	563	134	152	26	10	41	119	24	10	84	163	.270	.372	.570	.943
6	Jacoby Ellsbury	BOS	631	114	201	45	5	28	98	37	14	51	93	.319	.374	.539	.913
7	Alex Avila	DET	443	62	132	32	4	19	77	3	1	69	127	.298	.390	.517	.907
8	Paul Konerko	CHW	534	68	161	24		30	103	1	1	76	88	.301	.389	.515	.904
9	Robinson Cano	NYY	603	101	184	46	7	27	116	8	2	36	93	.305	.352	.539	.891
10	Josh Hamilton	TEX	462	75	138	30	5	23	91	8	1	38	91	.299	.348	.535	.883
RK	PLAYER	TEAM	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	SB	CS	BB	SO	AVG	OBP	SLG

As you can see, Bautista and Cabrera really are having monstor seasons. Ortiz too, but I do not see a dh getting the MVP. Gonzalez and Granderson also score well.

If Toronto were having a better year, Bautista would win the MVP hands down, but not being in the pennant race hurts him. Look out for Cabrera though, i definitely seem him getting some votes. While Cano is having a great year, I do not see him getting there. Granderson is still in the hunt though.

[ZippyTheChimp]

7th game of the WS. Last inning, two out. Tying run on base.

Who in the Yankee order do you want in the batters box?

[antinimby]

Not Teixeira.

[eddhead]

I would be comfortable with either Granderson who Cano, but right now would probably lean on Cano. If you asked me that same question earlier this year I might have gone a different way. But Cano has been money in these situations, especially of late.

BTW, I did not mean to imply that OPS winners automatically equate to MVP's, only that OPS leaders should be considered strong candidiates. There are other consideratons as well and you just touched on one; clutch hitting. Also, Cano is by far the best fielding second baseman in baseball - maybe the best fielding I have ever seen. Of cource, Granderson steals bases, and that too is a consideration.

Now, to ask another question, 7th game of WS, no one out no one on, down a run, who would you want to see hitting?

[ZippyTheChimp]

Gardner or Jeter.

[eddhead]

I would go with Swisher or Granderson due to their OBP. If Swisher, I would PR for him assuming he got on.

[ZippyTheChimp]

But OPS is more of a stand-alone statistic. A high score is less dependant upon the relative success of others in the line-up.

Not really true. See what happens to your OBP if you move from #2 to #7 in the lineup. Even if you get more walks and your OBP goes up, it has less of an impact. There's less fear in the pitcher that the next batter will make him pay for putting you on base.

[eddhead]

Not really true. See what happens to your OBP if you move from #2 to #7 in the lineup. Even if you get more walks and your OBP goes up, it has less of an impact. There's less fear in the pitcher that the next batter will make him pay for putting you on base.

Agree with your point. Also the people around you influence the pitches you receive. Granderson gets support because Texiera, A-Rod and Cano follow him in the line up. If you are in a strong line-up you're likely to get beter pithces to hit. Of course, you'll walk less too.

That is why I think OPS is MORE of a stand-alone rather than STRICTLY a stand alone stat.

[GordonGecko]

In a blowout tonight, the Procter-ologist relieved Colon who allowed many bad runs

[ZippyTheChimp]

We have our John Sterling replacement.

[hbcat]

^^ & ^ That's funny.

Answer to question #1, last game of WS, 2 out, runners on = Arod (the dramatic slugger option); Cervelli (the Bucky Dent option)

Answer to question #2, last game of WS, 0 out, none on = Jeter

[ZippyTheChimp]

It's possible that by midnight Sunday, the Rays and Red Sox could be dead-even going into the last series.

The fly in the ointment is AJ.

I know they're on cruise control, but the Phillies have lost eight straight.

[ZippyTheChimp]

The Maris boys. Second from the left looks just like his pop.

[hbcat]

^ The top one is a beautiful shot. Yours?

NY wins one more or Detroit loses a game and the Yanks have home field advantage. Actually, they might have it already -- did they win the season series against the Tigers?

TB is looking like a play off team. Boston looks shipwrecked.