A couple of years ago, I created an averaged index based statistical analysis formula for rating overall baseball team performance, with the goals of prognosticating post-season caliber teams, and being scalable enough to compare team performance at all levels of play and competition. I worked on the formula, during my free time, over the period of a couple of weeks, then tweaked, tested, re-tweaked, and retested the formula until I thought I got it right. Today, I am unveiling the Matt-metrics score for the Cincinnati Reds and Cleveland Indians. I intend to update these scores every week, during the baseball season, with an explanation of the fluctuation of the score.

In anticipation of questions, I am including some information about the Matt-metrics rating system.

Question: What is the actual Matt-metrics formula you created?

Answer: The goal of any blog site is to establish a loyal readership and repeat visitors, and if I made the formula available to the public, nobody would need my blog pages or me around. For the previously stated reasons, I am not publishing the Matt-metrics formula.

Question: What are the criteria included in the Matt-metrics rating system?

Answer: While I am not divulging everything, the system is based on per game averages, and includes some of the following statistics and information:

• Overall team performance such as: run differentials, strength of schedule, and winning percentage

• Team hitting statistics such as: batting average, on-base plus slugging percentage, runs batted in, stolen bases, and walks
• Team pitching statistics such as: batting average against, earned run average, saves, strikeouts, and walks
• Team defensive performance such as: errors and overall defensive quality of play
  
• Adjustments for Designated Hitter leagues
  
• Escalators for less tangible information, such as individual and team achievement awards

Question: What are the maximum and minimum obtainable Matt-metrics rating scores?

Answer: A perfect, or an absolute worst, Matt-metrics rating score simply does not exist, because a team cannot pitch perfectly then continue hitting for infinity, without recording any outs, and record a complete game. Conversely, a team cannot be on the losing end of the aforementioned scenario.

Question: How good or reliable is the Matt-metrics rating system?

Answer: The results from my limited testing of the Matt-metrics rating system appear highly accurate, but the sample size is small. In fact, the sample size is too small to speak about the validity of the Matt-metrics rating system. On the positive and reassuring side, the Matt-metrics system can't be much less accurate than the College Basketball RPI ranking system, the College Football BCS ranking system, or a certain sports network's NFL power rankings each season.

The Matt-metrics rating scale:

Disclaimer:

Matt-metrics ratings and scores exist for entertainment purposes only. All Matt-metrics information is provided as is and without any warranties of any kind. Do not use Matt-metrics information for gambling or any other illegal activity.

Remember, baseball games take place between two teams on the field of play for a reason, because anything can happen at a baseball game. Remember, even the most respected sports prognosticators in the world considered "experts" in their profession are wrong nearly half of the time. Statistically speaking, using this information to gamble on sports events will guarantee a potential loss of all money wagered. Gambling on sports ruined the professional sports careers of Art Schlichter and Pete Rose. Please do not let gambling on sports interfere with, or ruin your personal and/or professional life.