Shocked was about the only way to describe myself when I came across this passage in Adam Kilgore’s article in today’s Boston Globe. Kilgore, along with Amalie Benjamin, cover the Red Sox daily beat for the Globe. This was one of the few times this season a story written for the newspaper caught my attention… though both contribute to the Globe’s Red Sox blog that is a must-read.
Here’s what Kilgore wrote today:
The Sox are fourth worst in baseball and second worst in the AL in runs prevented, according to the Ultimate Zone Ratings on fangraphs.com, a website devoted to baseball statistics. The UZR considers range, errors, and arm strength, denoting a value, in runs, to each. By the formula, the Sox have prevented 17 runs below average. For comparison, the league-leading Tigers are plus-33.2.
Statistics show what any close follower would expect – the left side of the Sox’ infield has been a liability and the main reason for the poor rankings. Shortstops have combined for a -7.0 UZR, and Julio Lugo by himself is -5.3; only Yuniesky Betancourt of the Mariners is worse among AL shortstops. Nick Green has made nine errors, tied for the most among major league shortstops.
At third base, Mike Lowell has prevented 6.2 runs below average; only Michael Young of the Rangers is worse in the AL. Lowell has been uniformly average in all fielding aspects save one: range. He remains a slick fielder, but offseason hip surgery shaved a step or two off the ground he covers.
It’s nice to see someone take a new angle and step outside the anti-sabermetric media box for once. I applaud you Kilgore and will be cursing WEEI this afternoon as the Big Show mocks your “stupid, brain-hurting numbers”, or whatever they decide to call them.





