This isn't even being a Monday Morning Quarterback. Our infield shifts are terrible and usually work against us. Look at the numbers from last season and so far this season.
For once, I dont have complaints about this. Still, you have to wonder how long we keep a Mendoza Line batter in the cleanup spot.
what are said numbers? Where does one find shift data? I know fangraphs has info by specific player hitting against a shift. Not sure how to find team fielding or an average-against for a team
Fangraphs.com has stats that can be sorted by shift or no shift. Astros pitchers have higher BABIP versus shift than not. By at least one measure, and a strong one at that, shift not looking good for optimal use by Astros. However, Astros BABIP overall is lower than most teams. Could Astros be A shifting more for better hitters? Also, I suspect ISO verus shift is lower, but don't feel like looking for it now.
If the numbers say our shifts don't work we wouldn't employ them. This organization is nothing if not pragmatic. I like the other guys would like to see these numbers.
It's hard to ever quantify the shift numbers. For example, with a shift on, pitchers tend to throw pitches in a location they may not normally throw to. Also, hitters will adjust, such as McCann bunting the other day. Personally, I'd like to not see them shift dramatically, whenever a double play is in order. Just a personal preference and not based on any statistical data.
I'd say it should easy to quantify shift results. All the changes are caught by this such as how pitchers pitch and how batters bat. I see that as part if the shift. It would be hard to say the results are "X" percent based on how pitcher pitches with shift on though. I'm typically pro shift against most pull groundball hitters without men on. Men on base can cause changes especially with RHBs that make shift less practical.
The reason I say it is hard to quantify, is that we have to assume everything would happen the exact same way if the shift had not been employed. So, that ground ball to a vacated position would probably not have been the same result had the shift not been employed.
I will gladly eat cow, but it's doubtful Springer's hamstring is 100 anytime soon. June seems doable.
