Saturday, May 05, 2007

Game 29: Lies, Damn Lies and Statistics

Final Score: Boston Red Sox 1, Minnesota Twins 2

A look at tonight's box score reveals something very, very odd: by all rights (except the score) the Red Sox should have won tonight. A little comparison for you:

Starting pitcher hits surrendered:
Tavarez: 4
Santana: 7

Starting pitcher strikeouts acquired:
Tavarez: 7
Santana: 5

Starting pitcher innings pitched:
Tavarez: 6
Santana: 5

Number of pitchers used:
Red Sox: 2
Twins: 5

And yet, the all-important difference in score achieved by the Twins in the second inning, thanks to a few well-placed hits and a couple of untimely walks. It baffles the mind, this difference; so many seemingly important statistics dispute its existence, but there you have it: Dream Killer stepped up, delivered his best performance of the year and out-pitched (on many levels) Johan frickin' Santana, the best pitcher in the majors and still gained the loss. That's baseball, folks. That's why we watch the games.

Could it be Dustin Pedroia is finally about to break out? Two for two with a walk today, drove in the only Red Sox run with a double that kissed the left field foul line...who knows? It would certainly be about time...