In a single given game, and as far as offensive statistics go besides something obviously like RUNS, is OPS the best indicator for who will win a given game?
I don't Know if it's the best but OPS
is the most honest hitting stat in baseball.
If you look at the top OPS teams you see teams like NYY
BOS PHI.
I am not shere that OPS gives
you a day to day edge. Over say a team
bullpen. You might look at a teams OPS
then look to see if the team they are playing
has a pen that gives up a high OPS then
look to see if that pen is over worked…
Thanks for the input. What I was really trying to say is....if we were looking at a boxscore and we couldnt see the runs or any other infomation that would indicate who actually won, would the OPS for this particular game be the best indicator as to who won?
Well OPS (or OPS+) are a solid indicator of potential run production. but that is only part of the equation.
Look at a team like Seattle last year that was Last in OPS in the AL, yet won 85 games. Toronto was tied for 4th in OPS and won 75, Cleveland was tied for 6th and won only 65 games. ERA/FIP, are needed to assess pitching, as well as park factors.
Run differential/Pythagorean record is the best way to to determine the top teams, but you won't be able to grab a decent picture of that will 50+ games in.
You may wanna grab yourslef a copy of Baseball Prospectus 2010..