Through three weeks, scoring in 2016 is running slightly ahead of 2015. At this point last year, MLB produced 8.33 runs per game. In 2016, that figure stands at 8.54. The increase is scoring is due to a jump in home runs and walks. Compared to the same period in 2015, home runs are coming at a rate of 2.09 per game compared to 1.83 per game in 2015. In raw totals, players hit 69 more home runs in one fewer game. Walks are up slightly from 6.1 per game to 6.5 per game. Non home run hits are coming at the same rate to one decimal place.
The last bit is interesting, since strikeouts have jumped from 15.2 per game to 16.3 game in the same period. BABIP should be up to get the same number rate of playable ball hits in fewer opportunities.
So there is a pitcher component to the surge (more walks, more home runs allowed), and a batter/fielder component (higher BABIP due to hitting the ball harder or poor fielding). I’m guessing that due to the higher K rate, batters are swinging hard, and not only are more ball leaving the yard, but more are being smacked through the infield and into outfield gaps.
You can view the weekly run rates in graphic form here.
from baseballmusings.com http://ift.tt/1T8H76v
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