The Cincinnati Reds Matt-metrics Rating Score as of 05/16/2008:

1434

(Previous rating, on 04/27/2008: 1421, change +13)

The Reds showed recent improvement, especially earlier this week, but they have a long way to go if they hope to contend in the NL Central division. While the Reds winning percentage looks better (.439) than it did half a month ago (.423), the run deficit versus opponents increased from -17 runs to -25 runs. Interestingly enough, the team on base plus slugging percentage is nearly identical to where it was at the time of my last post, but a noticeable increase in stolen bases, home runs, and RBIs demonstrates the Reds are making better use of their offensive opportunities. Defensively, the Reds are still committing well under one error per game.

The alarming numbers for the Reds revolve around pitching. The team ERA jumped from 4.41, since my last update, to 4.71. The team WHIP went from 1.28 to 1.43, during the same time frame. Opponent batting average increased from .325 to .355. Better team pitching is clearly needed to get the Reds out of last place in the division.

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The Cleveland Indians Matt-metrics Rating Score as of 04/27/2008:

1570

(Previous rating, on 04/27/2008: 1532, change +38)

The Cleveland Indians Matt-metrics score went up as the Indians climbed into first place, putting them into the driver seat of the AL Central division. With a .537 winning percentage, the Indians look poised to live up to the pre-season hype. The Indians outscored their opponents by 31 runs about a fourth of the way through the 2008 MLB season. Surprisingly the offensive numbers went down for the Indians, since my last post. Their OPS went from .707 down to .679, while the Indians batting average slipped from .247 to .236, after my last Matt-metrics update.

While the bats cooled for the Indians, the pitching heated up. In little more than half a month, the Indians team pitching ERA went from 4.12 to 3.26. Their WHIP dropped from 1.41 to 1.27 and opponents batting average dropped from .355 to .339. If the Indians batting comes around then look out, and expect the Indians to strongly contend in the post-season.

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