What about them?
Since the Cubs are off let’s take a look at the White Sox who are playing MIN tonight. Here’s what the Ouija Board says
DATE 05_11 8:10_PM May_11_16:17 MIN CHA
LINEAWAY MIN [ 0.439 ] < 0.469 >
STARTAWAY 0.15 Phil_Hughes_MIN
LINEHOME CHA [ 0.580 ] < 0.552 >
STARTHOME 2.02 Derek_Holland_CHA
The Ouija Board is only giving the Sox home field advantage even though their best pitcher so far this season is starting. Here are team statuses for the two teams:
| BAT | PITCH | Rs | Ra | W | L | UR | LR | TeamID | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| -21.9 | 29.2 | 123 | 119 | 15 | 16 | -1.2 | -2.0 | CHA | |
| -5.4 | 8.0 | 140 | 143 | 16 | 14 | -5.2 | -1.5 | MIN |
The win loss records are pretty close. CHA has a W-L=15-16=-1 while MIN is WAA=+2. The White Sox have terrific PITCH and terrible BAT. MIN is hovering around average in both BAT and PITCH. Here are the two lineups:
| WAA | Naem_TeamID | Pos | PA | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| -0.69 | Melky_Cabrera_CHA | LF | 122 | |
| -1.60 | Tyler_Saladino_CHA | 2B | 101 | |
| 0.08 | Jose_Abreu_CHA | 1B | 125 | |
| 1.24 | Avisail_Garcia_CHA | RF | 121 | |
| -0.06 | Todd_Frazier_CHA | DH | 94 | |
| 0.76 | Matt_Davidson_CHA | 3B | 71 | |
| -1.24 | Tim_Anderson_CHA | SS | 123 | |
| -0.69 | Omar_Narvaez_CHA | C | 58 | |
| -0.59 | Leury_Garcia_CHA | CF | 90 | |
| TOTAL | WAA=-2.79 | PA=905 | WinPct=0.441 |
As expected, the White Sox are fielding a below average lineup and above is how it all breaks down amongst their players. Unfortunately for MIN we have to see their last game lineup.
| WAA | Naem_TeamID | Pos | PA | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| -0.06 | Joe_Mauer_MIN | 1B | 105 | |
| -0.29 | Jorge_Polanco_MIN | SS | 110 | |
| -0.15 | Max_Kepler_MIN | RF | 108 | |
| 0.53 | Kennys_Vargas_MIN | DH | 37 | |
| -0.36 | Eddie_Rosario_MIN | LF | 108 | |
| 0.17 | Eduardo_Escobar_MIN | 3B | 59 | |
| -0.34 | Jason_Castro_MIN | C | 87 | |
| 0.00 | Ehire_Adrianza_MIN | 2B | 4 | |
| -1.07 | Byron_Buxton_MIN | CF | 91 | |
| TOTAL | WAA=-1.57 | PA=709 | WinPct=0.457 |
So both lineups are sub average and the White Sox have a better starter going today and they have better relievers. CHA relief staff WAA=+4.5, MIN relief staff WAA=-0.67. How relief staff is calculated will be explained later. Until then….