In the first few weeks of MLB games, we have come to learn that offense is down league-wide.
The slugging percentage is down, home runs are down, and runs are down.
MLB pitchers are extremely talented, yes, but some of the changes have been so drastic that justifying them entirely on the hurlers’ performance doesn’t add up.
The weather hasn’t been a factor, either.
In fact, look at these stats.
“Imagine an MLB game with no home runs. First 236 games last year —-> 19 had 0 HRs. First 237 games this year —-> 47 had 0 HRs. Quick-and-dirty average game time temperatures: First 236 games last year —-> 63.2 degrees. First 237 games this year —-> 63.3 degrees,” Codify Baseball tweeted.
Imagine an MLB game with no home runs. 😐
First 236 games last year —-> 19 had 0 HRs
First 237 games this year —-> 47 had 0 HRsQuick-and-dirty average game time temperatures:
First 236 games last year —-> 63.2 degrees
First 237 games this year —-> 63.3 degrees— Codify (@CodifyBaseball) April 26, 2022
The difference in games without home runs is noticeable: you just don’t go from 19 games with zero homers to 47 over the same sample without something happening to the ball, if we consider that other conditions remain similar.
The League Is Clearly Messing With The Ball
It’s very likely that the league has done something to the ball to make it travel less that it usually does.
Eno Sarris and Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic also discussed the issue, which appears to be having an unwanted impact in run-scoring outputs across the league.
You're not imagining it: Home runs are down across baseball.
Compared to previous Aprils, the ball isn't traveling as well — and weather isn't the cause.
Looking at the ball itself may reveal the answer, according to @Ken_Rosenthal and @enosarris.
More: https://t.co/K1qbLgde6B pic.twitter.com/qnK6xZa9Zy
— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) April 26, 2022
Now, why would the league mess with the ball without telling anyone?
It remains a mystery, but according to Codify Baseball, it hasn’t really affected time of play too much, if that’s what you are thinking.
“Just looking at the rough average game times, games this year have been about 2 minutes shorter,” they tweeted in the replies.
Just looking at the rough average game times, games this year have been about 2 minutes shorter.
— Codify (@CodifyBaseball) April 26, 2022
Perhaps they consider pace of play an issue, and not so much rough average game time.
Be that as it may, game stats are being heavily affected across the league, and we are not sure that’s a good thing considering how drastic the change has been.
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Patrick LaFavre says
well Nascar has messed up racing, so the MLB might as well ruin a great game, someone please get someone to run the MLB who has a brain.