My 2013 All-Star Game Selections

[COZ]

I always love this time of year to fill out my All-Star Ballot for the Mid-Summer Classic, a game I still cherish despite the annual criticism from the Media & Baseball Elite. I will be attending my 6th game this summer and want to ensure only the truly deserving start the game. Joe Sheehan, in describing the history of the All-Star Game, explained what I consider a proper standard of defining an All-Star when he stated:

"Even at the beginning (of voting for the first All-Star Game), it was understood that you did this by defining as an "All-Star," those players with track records of success, irrespective of what they may have been hitting for the season at the time of selection. Being an All-Star isn't about what you may have done in 200 at-bats, it's what you did in the 2000 before that. To whatever extent you make exceptions to that idea, you make them for players whose next 2000 at-bats will make the case clear. Being an All-Star, even in the age of bloated rosters and detailed player evaluation is about having more than a high OPS+ or ERA+ through the end of June."

So, please do you're part to avoid the injustice of an undeserving Nick Markakis and Pablo Sandoval starting in the game. Only 5 days left to vote. My rule of thumb, as articulated by Sheehan above, is to vote for true All-Stars, meaning they have a sustained history of success, and not just good first-half numbers on last-place teams (i.e. Carlos Gomez). My 2013 All-Star selections:

American League: National League:

C - Joe Mauer (MIN) C: Yadier Molina (STL)
1B - Chris Davis (BAL) 1B: Joey Votto (CIN)
2B - Robinson Cano (NYY) 2B: Brandon Phillips (CIN)
SS - J.J. Hardy (BAL) SS: Troy Tulowitzki (COL)
3B - Miguel Cabrera (DET) 3B: David Wright (NYM)
OF - Jose Bautista (TOR) OF: Carlos Gozalez (COL)
OF - Adam Jones (BAL) OF: Andrew McCutchen (PIT)
OF - Trout, Mike (LAA) OF: Carlos Beltran (STL)
DH - Ortiz, David; (BOS)

Who are your selections?

COZ

[BK METS]

I always love this time of year to fill out my All-Star Ballot for the Mid-Summer Classic, a game I still cherish despite the annual criticism from the Media & Baseball Elite. I will be attending my 6th game this summer and want to ensure only the truly deserving start the game. Joe Sheehan, in describing the history of the All-Star Game, explained what I consider a proper standard of defining an All-Star when he stated:

"Even at the beginning (of voting for the first All-Star Game), it was understood that you did this by defining as an "All-Star," those players with track records of success, irrespective of what they may have been hitting for the season at the time of selection. Being an All-Star isn't about what you may have done in 200 at-bats, it's what you did in the 2000 before that. To whatever extent you make exceptions to that idea, you make them for players whose next 2000 at-bats will make the case clear. Being an All-Star, even in the age of bloated rosters and detailed player evaluation is about having more than a high OPS+ or ERA+ through the end of June."

So, please do you're part to avoid the injustice of an undeserving Nick Markakis and Pablo Sandoval starting in the game. Only 5 days left to vote. My rule of thumb, as articulated by Sheehan above, is to vote for true All-Stars, meaning they have a sustained history of success, and not just good first-half numbers on last-place teams (i.e. Carlos Gomez). My 2013 All-Star selections:

American League: National League:

C - Joe Mauer (MIN) C: Yadier Molina (STL)
1B - Chris Davis (BAL) 1B: Joey Votto (CIN)
2B - Robinson Cano (NYY) 2B: Brandon Phillips (CIN)
SS - J.J. Hardy (BAL) SS: Troy Tulowitzki (COL)
3B - Miguel Cabrera (DET) 3B: David Wright (NYM)
OF - Jose Bautista (TOR) OF: Carlos Gozalez (COL)
OF - Adam Jones (BAL) OF: Andrew McCutchen (PIT)
OF - Trout, Mike (LAA) OF: Carlos Beltran (STL)
DH - Ortiz, David; (BOS)

Who are your selections?

COZ

Even with your "sustained history" comment, I would still put Goldschmidt at 1st base over Votto. Leading the league in RBIs, 4th in homers and over .300 BA on a first place team. I have no problem with McCutchen, even though he has had a slow first half. No one really stands out to play ahead of him. Other than that, pretty good list. I like Kipnis over Cano for better overall player, but Cano has the rep to start ahead of him and has put up decent numbers without any support in the Yankee lineup.

Good list...

[Money]

I agree with any list that includes MIGUEL CABRERA. Simply the BEST we've ever seen!!

[Money]

I always love this time of year to fill out my All-Star Ballot for the Mid-Summer Classic, a game I still cherish despite the annual criticism from the Media & Baseball Elite. I will be attending my 6th game this summer and want to ensure only the truly deserving start the game. Joe Sheehan, in describing the history of the All-Star Game, explained what I consider a proper standard of defining an All-Star when he stated:

"Even at the beginning (of voting for the first All-Star Game), it was understood that you did this by defining as an "All-Star," those players with track records of success, irrespective of what they may have been hitting for the season at the time of selection. Being an All-Star isn't about what you may have done in 200 at-bats, it's what you did in the 2000 before that. To whatever extent you make exceptions to that idea, you make them for players whose next 2000 at-bats will make the case clear. Being an All-Star, even in the age of bloated rosters and detailed player evaluation is about having more than a high OPS+ or ERA+ through the end of June."

So, please do you're part to avoid the injustice of an undeserving Nick Markakis and Pablo Sandoval starting in the game. Only 5 days left to vote. My rule of thumb, as articulated by Sheehan above, is to vote for true All-Stars, meaning they have a sustained history of success, and not just good first-half numbers on last-place teams (i.e. Carlos Gomez). My 2013 All-Star selections:

American League: National League:

C - Joe Mauer (MIN) C: Yadier Molina (STL)
1B - Chris Davis (BAL) 1B: Joey Votto (CIN)
2B - Robinson Cano (NYY) 2B: Brandon Phillips (CIN)
SS - J.J. Hardy (BAL) SS: Troy Tulowitzki (COL)
3B - Miguel Cabrera (DET) 3B: David Wright (NYM)
OF - Jose Bautista (TOR) OF: Carlos Gozalez (COL)
OF - Adam Jones (BAL) OF: Andrew McCutchen (PIT)
OF - Trout, Mike (LAA) OF: Carlos Beltran (STL)
DH - Ortiz, David; (BOS)

Who are your selections?

COZ

This is a great list. Does it not show that the American League is superior? With that cocktails fellows endorsement I will now wager on this game for the first time ever. Mr. Cocktails can I have the go ahead?

[BK METS]

I always love this time of year to fill out my All-Star Ballot for the Mid-Summer Classic, a game I still cherish despite the annual criticism from the Media & Baseball Elite. I will be attending my 6th game this summer and want to ensure only the truly deserving start the game. Joe Sheehan, in describing the history of the All-Star Game, explained what I consider a proper standard of defining an All-Star when he stated:

"Even at the beginning (of voting for the first All-Star Game), it was understood that you did this by defining as an "All-Star," those players with track records of success, irrespective of what they may have been hitting for the season at the time of selection. Being an All-Star isn't about what you may have done in 200 at-bats, it's what you did in the 2000 before that. To whatever extent you make exceptions to that idea, you make them for players whose next 2000 at-bats will make the case clear. Being an All-Star, even in the age of bloated rosters and detailed player evaluation is about having more than a high OPS+ or ERA+ through the end of June."

So, please do you're part to avoid the injustice of an undeserving Nick Markakis and Pablo Sandoval starting in the game. Only 5 days left to vote. My rule of thumb, as articulated by Sheehan above, is to vote for true All-Stars, meaning they have a sustained history of success, and not just good first-half numbers on last-place teams (i.e. Carlos Gomez). My 2013 All-Star selections:

American League: National League:

C - Joe Mauer (MIN) C: Yadier Molina (STL)
1B - Chris Davis (BAL) 1B: Joey Votto (CIN)
2B - Robinson Cano (NYY) 2B: Brandon Phillips (CIN)
SS - J.J. Hardy (BAL) SS: Troy Tulowitzki (COL)
3B - Miguel Cabrera (DET) 3B: David Wright (NYM)
OF - Jose Bautista (TOR) OF: Carlos Gozalez (COL)
OF - Adam Jones (BAL) OF: Andrew McCutchen (PIT)
OF - Trout, Mike (LAA) OF: Carlos Beltran (STL)
DH - Ortiz, David; (BOS)

Who are your selections?

COZ

This is a great list. Does it not show that the American League is superior? With that cocktails fellows endorsement I will now wager on this game for the first time ever. Mr. Cocktails can I have the go ahead?

The American League dominates the hitting, definitely. I think the pitching still favors the NL by quite a bit, led by my boy Matt Harvey, Kershaw and many others.

[ALL-IN JD]

There's a shock!!!! Alan dissing a Yankee and praising a Met!! I'm stunned!!!

[BK METS]

There's a shock!!!! Alan dissing a Yankee and praising a Met!! I'm stunned!!!

What Yankee am I dissing? Just stating a fact.. the NL has 9 pitchers under a 2.60 ERA, the AL has 2. The AL dominates in the hitting department. I could be on these boards every day killing the 4th place Yankees, if I wanted to, but don't care to state the obvious.

[ALL-IN JD]

Anything to take your mind off of that Bad News Bears team playing in Flushing!!!!!

[BK METS]

Compared to the 200 million in AARP benefits the "bombers" are paying for mediocrity and no future. But wait, you do have AROD in rehab. That should help.

[Scared $ Dont Make $]

There's a shock!!!! Alan dissing a Yankee and praising a Met!! I'm stunned!!!

What Yankee am I dissing? Just stating a fact.. the NL has 9 pitchers under a 2.60 ERA, the AL has 2. The AL dominates in the hitting department. I could be on these boards every day killing the 4th place Yankees, if I wanted to, but don't care to state the obvious.

Do you think NL ERA has anything to do with the fact they have a dead spot in the 9 hole for most of their starts???

I would hope NL ERA is skewed slightly in their favor based simply off of that fact. So using ERA and WHIP for your argument is not holding much weight.

[DOUGHBOYS]

Not to mention that those A.L. pitchers have to face those already admittedly tougher A.L. hitters on a an almost daily basis.
Statistically, something has to give somewhere.

[DOUGHBOYS]

While we're on the subject, I'll bring up a question.
I think I already know Alan's answer

Gun to our family's heads, who would you want to pitch vs, the Texas Rangers, or any tough hitting American League team?
I brought up the Rangers, but I don't want it to be about past match-ups or what have you, just Mano a Mano.....
Anyway, would you rather have Matt Harvey or Max Scherzer pitch against them?

Harvey has been the MLB poster pitcher this year. If basing your decision on stats alone, he certainly would be your choice.
I would take Scherzer.
He knows, and is a veteran of pitching in the American League. He has the mindset that there are no 'breaks' in a lineup.
I also feel that if Scherzer were a National League pitcher, his statistics would match and possibly surpass those of Harvey's.
Maybe it's just me.

[BK METS]

Not to mention that those A.L. pitchers have to face those already admittedly tougher A.L. hitters on a an almost daily basis.
Statistically, something has to give somewhere.

And do you think maybe the AL hitters have better stats because they are facing less quality pitchers? We can go back and forth on this... but the bottom line is, pitching is better in the NL, for whatever the reason, simply better pitchers, lesser quality hitters, bigger ball parks, pitchers hitting, etc.. and hitting is better in the AL, whether it is simply better hitters, less quality pitchers, smaller ball parks, the DH, etc.

I am not trying to make an argument that one league is better than the other. This is just fact and has pretty much been fact for many years.

The champ can make this about me hating the Yankees or the AL. It has nothing to do with that.

[BK METS]

While we're on the subject, I'll bring up a question.
I think I already know Alan's answer

Gun to our family's heads, who would you want to pitch vs, the Texas Rangers, or any tough hitting American League team?
I brought up the Rangers, but I don't want it to be about past match-ups or what have you, just Mano a Mano.....
Anyway, would you rather have Matt Harvey or Max Scherzer pitch against them?

Harvey has been the MLB poster pitcher this year. If basing your decision on stats alone, he certainly would be your choice.
I would take Scherzer.
He knows, and is a veteran of pitching in the American League. He has the mindset that there are no 'breaks' in a lineup.
I also feel that if Scherzer were a National League pitcher, his statistics would match and possibly surpass those of Harvey's.
Maybe it's just me.

Matt Harvey has faced the AL. Two games pitched, 17 innings pitched, 1 ER, 7 hits, O BBs, 2 wins, 22 Ks. (NYY, CHW)

Max Scherzer hasn't faced the NL this yr, last yr, 27 innings pitched, 8 ER, 19 hits, 7 BBs, 2-1, 42 Ks. (Pittx2, ChicC, Col)

[DOUGHBOYS]

While we're on the subject, I'll bring up a question.
I think I already know Alan's answer

Gun to our family's heads, who would you want to pitch vs, the Texas Rangers, or any tough hitting American League team?
I brought up the Rangers, but I don't want it to be about past match-ups or what have you, just Mano a Mano.....
Anyway, would you rather have Matt Harvey or Max Scherzer pitch against them?

Harvey has been the MLB poster pitcher this year. If basing your decision on stats alone, he certainly would be your choice.
I would take Scherzer.
He knows, and is a veteran of pitching in the American League. He has the mindset that there are no 'breaks' in a lineup.
I also feel that if Scherzer were a National League pitcher, his statistics would match and possibly surpass those of Harvey's.
Maybe it's just me.

Matt Harvey has faced the AL. Two games pitched, 17 innings pitched, 1 ER, 7 hits, O BBs, 2 wins, 22 Ks. (NYY, CHW)

Max Scherzer hasn't faced the NL this yr, last yr, 27 innings pitched, 8 ER, 19 hits, 7 BBs, 2-1, 42 Ks. (Pittx2, ChicC, Col)

So, you didn't answer the question!

[DOUGHBOYS]

Not to mention that those A.L. pitchers have to face those already admittedly tougher A.L. hitters on a an almost daily basis.
Statistically, something has to give somewhere.

And do you think maybe the AL hitters have better stats because they are facing less quality pitchers? We can go back and forth on this... but the bottom line is, pitching is better in the NL, for whatever the reason, simply better pitchers, lesser quality hitters, bigger ball parks, pitchers hitting, etc.. and hitting is better in the AL, whether it is simply better hitters, less quality pitchers, smaller ball parks, the DH, etc.

I am not trying to make an argument that one league is better than the other. This is just fact and has pretty much been fact for many years.

The champ can make this about me hating the Yankees or the AL. It has nothing to do with that.

You're ignoring the facts that make the statistics the statistics.
There is no FACT here, just your opinion.

[BK METS]

Not to mention that those A.L. pitchers have to face those already admittedly tougher A.L. hitters on a an almost daily basis.
Statistically, something has to give somewhere.

And do you think maybe the AL hitters have better stats because they are facing less quality pitchers? We can go back and forth on this... but the bottom line is, pitching is better in the NL, for whatever the reason, simply better pitchers, lesser quality hitters, bigger ball parks, pitchers hitting, etc.. and hitting is better in the AL, whether it is simply better hitters, less quality pitchers, smaller ball parks, the DH, etc.

I am not trying to make an argument that one league is better than the other. This is just fact and has pretty much been fact for many years.

The champ can make this about me hating the Yankees or the AL. It has nothing to do with that.

You're ignoring the facts that make the statistics the statistics.
There is no FACT here, just your opinion.

It is not just my opinion... Look at stats since the DH was implemented. The AL has a better batting average overall and the NL has a better ERA overall.. Whatever the reason for it, this is fact and not just my opinion. That's all I was saying. Maybe you are misunderstanding my point. The NL has historically been a better pitching league and the AL a better hitting league. Fact.

[BK METS]

While we're on the subject, I'll bring up a question.
I think I already know Alan's answer

Gun to our family's heads, who would you want to pitch vs, the Texas Rangers, or any tough hitting American League team?
I brought up the Rangers, but I don't want it to be about past match-ups or what have you, just Mano a Mano.....
Anyway, would you rather have Matt Harvey or Max Scherzer pitch against them?

Harvey has been the MLB poster pitcher this year. If basing your decision on stats alone, he certainly would be your choice.
I would take Scherzer.
He knows, and is a veteran of pitching in the American League. He has the mindset that there are no 'breaks' in a lineup.
I also feel that if Scherzer were a National League pitcher, his statistics would match and possibly surpass those of Harvey's.
Maybe it's just me.

Matt Harvey has faced the AL. Two games pitched, 17 innings pitched, 1 ER, 7 hits, O BBs, 2 wins, 22 Ks. (NYY, CHW)

Max Scherzer hasn't faced the NL this yr, last yr, 27 innings pitched, 8 ER, 19 hits, 7 BBs, 2-1, 42 Ks. (Pittx2, ChicC, Col)

So, you didn't answer the question!

Harvey

[DOUGHBOYS]

You're ignoring the facts that make the statistics the statistics.
There is no FACT here, just your opinion.[/quote]

It is not just my opinion... Look at stats since the DH was implemented. The AL has a better batting average overall and the NL has a better ERA overall.. Whatever the reason for it, this is fact and not just my opinion. That's all I was saying. Maybe you are misunderstanding my point. The NL has historically been a better pitching league and the AL a better hitting league. Fact.[/quote]

Ugh

[Rog]

I can see this argument going both ways. Most number 9 hitters in the american league stink but are good defensive players. Most designated hitters suck in the field . In my opinion what you gain with the defensive player on the field helps balance out the fact that the pitcher hits in the NL. I wonder how much an Ortiz/Vmart/Lind/Giambi/Dunn/etc. would affect a teams era if they had to play in the field. Nothing builds your confidence as a pitcher like turning around and seeing a flyball heading out to left field and seeing Delmon standing there.

Sortable Batting
RK TEAM GP AB R H 2B 3B HR TB RBI AVG OBP SLG OPS
1 Texas 82 280 42 77 9 7 6 118 21 .275 .338 .421 .759
2 Cleveland 82 286 40 72 13 1 11 120 39 .252 .305 .420 .725
3 Detroit 81 297 38 82 14 4 4 116 27 .276 .310 .391 .701
4 Tampa Bay 83 280 38 71 7 1 9 107 34 .254 .323 .382 .705
5 LA Angels 82 293 37 82 6 3 3 103 25 .280 .327 .352 .679
6 Kansas City 79 266 36 61 8 2 5 88 24 .229 .278 .331 .609
7 NY Yankees 82 264 34 57 8 0 4 77 22 .216 .286 .292 .577
8 Boston 84 293 32 76 14 5 7 121 30 .259 .320 .413 .733
9 Baltimore 83 290 29 64 7 2 9 102 31 .221 .265 .352 .617
10 Toronto 82 272 29 64 11 5 2 91 29 .235 .318 .335 .653
11 Houston 83 278 28 63 7 1 6 90 21 .227 .258 .324 .581
12 Oakland 83 289 26 59 15 1 3 85 16 .204 .271 .294 .565
13 Chicago Cubs 80 266 25 48 9 1 6 77 30 .180 .223 .289 .513
14 Philadelphia 83 271 25 53 9 1 8 88 22 .196 .251 .325 .576
15 Minnesota 79 274 24 60 12 0 6 90 33 .219 .263 .328 .591
16 Cincinnati 83 288 24 54 6 2 2 70 22 .188 .206 .243 .449
17 Arizona 82 271 23 48 13 2 3 74 22 .177 .231 .273 .504
18 Chicago Sox 79 262 22 54 12 0 5 81 21 .206 .264 .309 .573
19 NY Mets 79 270 22 44 11 1 2 63 18 .163 .209 .233 .442
20 Seattle 82 276 21 51 7 0 2 64 22 .185 .249 .232 .481
21 St. Louis 81 265 21 35 5 0 3 49 18 .132 .180 .185 .365
22 Atlanta 82 273 20 46 6 1 7 75 20 .168 .215 .275 .489
23 San Diego 83 284 20 55 3 0 5 73 30 .194 .224 .257 .481
24 LA Dodgers 81 251 19 46 9 1 3 66 17 .183 .255 .263 .517
25 Pittsburgh 81 277 19 46 4 0 4 62 19 .166 .208 .224 .432
26 Colorado 83 287 18 59 6 1 4 79 29 .206 .241 .275 .516
27 San Francisco 82 266 17 41 5 3 1 55 20 .154 .184 .207 .391
28 Washington 82 264 16 41 10 1 3 62 5 .155 .188 .235 .423
29 Milwaukee 81 277 13 57 6 0 2 69 15 .206 .231 .249 .480
30 Miami 81 259 13 41 6 0 1 50 16 .158 .207 .193 .400
Here are some stats from espn , for these are the averages
LEAGUE AVERAGES GP AB R H 2B 3B HR TB RBI AVG OBP SLG OPS
American League 82 280 32 66 10 2 5 97 26 .236 .292 .345 .637
National League 82 271 20 48 7 1 4 67 20 .175 .217 .248 .465

Glossary

GP: Games Played
AB: At Bats
R: Runs
H: Hits
2B: Doubles

3B: Triples
HR: Home Runs
TB: Total Bases
RBI: Runs Batted In
AVG: Batting Average

OBP: On Base Percentage
SLG: Slugging Percentage
OPS: OPS = OBP + SLG

Statistics Glossary »
Data provided by Elias Sports Bureau

[BK METS]

I can see this argument going both ways. Most number 9 hitters in the american league stink but are good defensive players. Most designated hitters suck in the field . In my opinion what you gain with the defensive player on the field helps balance out the fact that the pitcher hits in the NL. I wonder how much an Ortiz/Vmart/Lind/Giambi/Dunn/etc. would affect a teams era if they had to play in the field. Nothing builds your confidence as a pitcher like turning around and seeing a flyball heading out to left field and seeing Delmon standing there.

Sortable Batting
RK TEAM GP AB R H 2B 3B HR TB RBI AVG OBP SLG OPS
1 Texas 82 280 42 77 9 7 6 118 21 .275 .338 .421 .759
2 Cleveland 82 286 40 72 13 1 11 120 39 .252 .305 .420 .725
3 Detroit 81 297 38 82 14 4 4 116 27 .276 .310 .391 .701
4 Tampa Bay 83 280 38 71 7 1 9 107 34 .254 .323 .382 .705
5 LA Angels 82 293 37 82 6 3 3 103 25 .280 .327 .352 .679
6 Kansas City 79 266 36 61 8 2 5 88 24 .229 .278 .331 .609
7 NY Yankees 82 264 34 57 8 0 4 77 22 .216 .286 .292 .577
8 Boston 84 293 32 76 14 5 7 121 30 .259 .320 .413 .733
9 Baltimore 83 290 29 64 7 2 9 102 31 .221 .265 .352 .617
10 Toronto 82 272 29 64 11 5 2 91 29 .235 .318 .335 .653
11 Houston 83 278 28 63 7 1 6 90 21 .227 .258 .324 .581
12 Oakland 83 289 26 59 15 1 3 85 16 .204 .271 .294 .565
13 Chicago Cubs 80 266 25 48 9 1 6 77 30 .180 .223 .289 .513
14 Philadelphia 83 271 25 53 9 1 8 88 22 .196 .251 .325 .576
15 Minnesota 79 274 24 60 12 0 6 90 33 .219 .263 .328 .591
16 Cincinnati 83 288 24 54 6 2 2 70 22 .188 .206 .243 .449
17 Arizona 82 271 23 48 13 2 3 74 22 .177 .231 .273 .504
18 Chicago Sox 79 262 22 54 12 0 5 81 21 .206 .264 .309 .573
19 NY Mets 79 270 22 44 11 1 2 63 18 .163 .209 .233 .442
20 Seattle 82 276 21 51 7 0 2 64 22 .185 .249 .232 .481
21 St. Louis 81 265 21 35 5 0 3 49 18 .132 .180 .185 .365
22 Atlanta 82 273 20 46 6 1 7 75 20 .168 .215 .275 .489
23 San Diego 83 284 20 55 3 0 5 73 30 .194 .224 .257 .481
24 LA Dodgers 81 251 19 46 9 1 3 66 17 .183 .255 .263 .517
25 Pittsburgh 81 277 19 46 4 0 4 62 19 .166 .208 .224 .432
26 Colorado 83 287 18 59 6 1 4 79 29 .206 .241 .275 .516
27 San Francisco 82 266 17 41 5 3 1 55 20 .154 .184 .207 .391
28 Washington 82 264 16 41 10 1 3 62 5 .155 .188 .235 .423
29 Milwaukee 81 277 13 57 6 0 2 69 15 .206 .231 .249 .480
30 Miami 81 259 13 41 6 0 1 50 16 .158 .207 .193 .400
Here are some stats from espn , for these are the averages
LEAGUE AVERAGES GP AB R H 2B 3B HR TB RBI AVG OBP SLG OPS
American League 82 280 32 66 10 2 5 97 26 .236 .292 .345 .637
National League 82 271 20 48 7 1 4 67 20 .175 .217 .248 .465

Glossary

GP: Games Played
AB: At Bats
R: Runs
H: Hits
2B: Doubles

3B: Triples
HR: Home Runs
TB: Total Bases
RBI: Runs Batted In
AVG: Batting Average

OBP: On Base Percentage
SLG: Slugging Percentage
OPS: OPS = OBP + SLG

Statistics Glossary »
Data provided by Elias Sports Bureau

Very good point, Rog. I still don't understand the argument here, because there is none. Dan brings up a scenario that hasn't and likely will not happen, regarding Scherzer being in the National League and being more dominant than Harvey (opinion) and Scherzer being able to be more dominant against Texas compared to Harvey (opinion), but then complains when I offer factual data and says it is just my "opinion". And Rog's illustration factored into the conversation further proves that there is no doubt that, when comparing the two leagues, the National League historically has a much better ERA and the American League has a much better batting average, for whatever reason you want to give, its fact. The difference is large enough to justify that simply the DH rule isn't the only reason for the difference.

[DOUGHBOYS]

Are you there, Alan?

[DOUGHBOYS]

If so, are you saying the ERA's are better in the National League or that the pitchers are better in the National League?
Or both, and that they go hand in hand....