/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/30683421/147531462.0.jpg)
Let's just head this off at the pass: That BABIP thing later on? I did not make that up. I know you kids nowadays won't believe me, but in the heady days of 2009, people actually believed that.
With a season on-deck, Dusty Baker's garden grows
Now, he's certainly been very successful growing his vegetables this year, and I don't want to take that away from him, but I don't understand why Dusty takes his onions out of the garden early and gives them the game ball. THERE'S STILL LIFE IN THOSE ONIONS. DON'T ENTRUST THIS TO BRUSSELS SPROUTS!
Organic Chemistry and Trick Analytics
Remember that ESPN graphic that talked about the well-aligned subgroups in the Giants clubhouse? As it turns out, there were some other issues with the article, like for example all of it, apparently. Try to contain your shock.
Anatomy of a Pitch
ESPN has this neat feature on 7 Diamondbacks describing their best pitch. Weirdly, Trevor Cahill chooses his sinker, instead of his trademark LookingLikeAGiantBabySoIfYouGetAHitIWillBeSadAndWhoWantsToMakeABabySadball.
If All Hell Breaks Loose At Second Base, Will The Giants, You Know, Panik?
El Lefty Malo takes a look at the Giants second base situation, and you'll never guess what name he brings up! I mean, unless you looked at the title of his post, in which case, yeah, you have a pretty good idea.
Adding Complexity Doesn’t Make Spring Stats More Predictive
You know that rule that players who have abnormally high spring training slugging percentages will have big years? Well, funny story: it doesn't work. It's the "You can approximate BABIP by taking line drive percentage and adding .120" of today.
NL MVP Andrew McCutchen on staying positive, helping others
Andrew McCutchen is a swell person and I'm glad he plays for the Pirates, so I can be a total bandwagon fan of him and his team. I don't know why people disparage being a bandwagon fan. I take joy in his successes and feel no pain when his team fails. It's way more fun than my Giants fandom.