BABIP or CERA: A Baseball Stats Quiz
1 of 10
In his first five innings, starting pitcher Jason English gives up 4 runs on 7 hits (there were no errors). In the sixth inning, the first batter hits a solo home run, the next batter grounds out, then the third batter hits a double. At that point, English is taken out of the game for a reliever, Mangesh Hattikudur. Mangesh promptly gives up a 2-run homer, then strikes out the final two batters. Neither team scores for the rest of the game. Calculate Jason English’s ERA for the game.
7.11
7.50
9.00
10.13
ANSWER: English gave up 5 runs in the game, plus he was responsible for the runner he left on base when Mangesh came up (but not the batter Mangesh faced). That means he gave up six earned runs in 6 and 1/3 innings, for an ERA of 8.53. English gave up 5 runs in the game, plus he was responsible for the runner he left on base when Mangesh came up (but not the batter Mangesh faced). That means he gave up six earned runs in 6 and 1/3 innings, for an ERA of 8.53.
ANSWER: English gave up 5 runs in the game, plus he was responsible for the runner he left on base when Mangesh came up (but not the batter Mangesh faced). That means he gave up six earned runs in 5 and 1/3 innings, for an ERA of 10.13. English gave up 5 runs in the game, plus he was responsible for the runner he left on base when Mangesh came up (but not the batter Mangesh faced). That means he gave up six earned runs in 5 and 1/3 innings, for an ERA of 10.13.
2 of 10
It may not be surprising that there is a sabremetric stat called “NERD.” But what is surprising is that it’s meant to measure what should be unmeasurable. What does NERD calculate?
The value of a ticket to a particular game
The aesthetics of watching a team
The inability of a statistic to measure a player’s performance
How well a pitcher would fare against a historical lineup
ANSWER: NERD can measure either a team or a pitcher. The team stat includes everything from the average age, the bullpen speed, team defense and payroll. NERD can measure either a team or a pitcher. The team stat includes everything from the average age, the bullpen speed, team defense and payroll.
3 of 10
The Pythagoeran expectation is meant to give a more accurate picture of how many games a team should be winning. What is the formula based on?
OBP and ERA
Batting average and ERA
Runs scored and runs allowed
Runs scored and fielding percentage
ANSWER: The formula is meant to adjust for luck and other factors that can influence winning percentage. The formula is meant to adjust for luck and other factors that can influence winning percentage.
4 of 10
A relief pitcher, Sandy Wood, enters the game in the seventh inning with his team up by 2. He strikes out all three batters in the sixth. In the eighth, he gives up two hits, and is lifted for another pitcher, who then induces a triple play. Neither team scores, so Sandy’s team wins by 2. Which of the following does Sandy qualify for?
A save
A hold
Both a save and a hold
Neither a save nor a hold
ANSWER: To get a save, Sandy would have had to finish the game. But he gets the hold because he pitched at least an inning when his team was up by less than three runs, did not relinquish the lead and did not qualify as the winning pitcher. The hold is still not an official MLB statistic. To get a save, Sandy would have had to finish the game. But he gets the hold because he pitched at least an inning when his team was up by less than three runs, did not relinquish the lead and did not qualify as the winning pitcher. The hold is still not an official MLB statistic.
5 of 10
DICE (Defense-Independent Component ERA) is one of several defense-independent pitching statistics that is meant to assess a pitcher’s performance regardless of how well his team is fielding. Which of the following stats is NOT included in DICE?
Hit by pitch
Innings pitched
Home runs
Errors
ANSWER: The formula includes home runs, walks, hit-by-pitch, strikeouts and innings pitched. There has been some debate about whether innings pitched should be included, since it is technically still tied to the defense’s performance. The formula includes home runs, walks, hit-by-pitch, strikeouts and innings pitched. There has been some debate about whether innings pitched should be included, since it is technically still tied to the defense’s performance.
6 of 10
What does VORP stand for in sabremetrics?
Value Over Replacement Player
Value Of Relief Pitcher
Value-Oriented Risk Percentage
Visiting OBP, Relative to Park
ANSWER: VORP is meant to compare a player to the league average and determine how much more effective he is. A player with a positive VORP would be more effective than the league average at his position, while one with a negative VORP should be replaced in the lineup. VORP is meant to compare a player to the league average and determine how much more effective he is. A player with a positive VORP would be more effective than the league average at his position, while one with a negative VORP should be replaced in the lineup.
7 of 10
What is this statistic and what does it measure?
((1.8)(OBP)+SLG)/4
Ultimate Zone Rating – It shows how well a batter hits the ball per at bat
Gross Production Average – It’s an improvement on OPS to more accurately reflect a batter’s performance
Pythagorean expectation – How well a player should hit for the rest of the season
Equivalent Average – It measures a player’s effectiveness at the plate
ANSWER: It’s meant to weigh a player’s on-base percentage more than slugging. The GPA was actually created, in part, by Victor Wang, a 16-year-old Minnesota student. It’s meant to weigh a player’s on-base percentage more than slugging. The GPA was actually created, in part, by Victor Wang, a 16-year-old Minnesota student.
8 of 10
Which of the following would not be factored into a player's batting average?
A ground-rule double
A bunt single
A home run
A walk
ANSWER: Because a walk is not counted as an at-bat, it does not factor into the batting average. Because a walk is not counted as an at-bat, it does not factor into the batting average.
9 of 10
What two statistics go into a batter’s OPS?
On base percentage and slugging percentage
Batting average and slugging percentage
Hits and at-bats
Total bases and batting average
ANSWER: The OPS is simply on base percentage plus slugging percentage and is meant to reflect a batter’s ability to both hit the ball well and reach base. The OPS is simply on base percentage plus slugging percentage and is meant to reflect a batter’s ability to both hit the ball well and reach base.
10 of 10
Which of the following batting statistics is not included in baseball’s Triple Crown?
Home runs
Batting average
Slugging percentage
Runs batted in
