Seven times in baseball history, the AL or NL batting championship was decided by less than one point.



Year
Lea
Player
BA
BA
Diff


1982
AL
Willie Wilson
.332
.33162





Robin Yount
.331
.33071
.00092










1935
AL
Buddy Myer
.349
.34903





Joe Vosmik
.348
.34839
.00064










1970
AL
Alex Johnson
.329
.32899





Carl Yastrzemski
.329
.32862
.00037










1931
NL
Chick Hafey
.349
.34889





Bill Terry
.349
.34861
.00028










2003
NL
Albert Pujols
.359
.35871





Todd Helton
.358
.35849
.00022










1949
AL
George Kell
.343
.34291





Ted Williams
.343
.34276
.00016










1945
AL
Snuffy Stirnweiss
.309
.30854





Tony Cuccinello
.308
.30846
.00009



Trout, Beltre and Jeter are still in the race but for this post, I'm counting them out and I'm focusing on Cabrera and Mauer.

Both players' teams have three games left. Obviously, and for the record, we don't know how many of those games they will play or many at-bats or hits they will get. Suppose though that Cabrera goes 3 for 11 and Mauer goes 4 for 11. Then they will finish:



Year
Lea
Player
BA
BA
Diff


2012
AL
Miguel Cabrera
.324
.32424





Joe Mauer
.324
.32418
.00006



It would be the closest finish in history.

Interesting. Thanks for keeping us updated on this tight race, Curt.

Normally, if the Tigers were to clinch today or tomorrow, they'd probably give their star player an extra day of rest before the playoffs. If Mauer has the lead in AVG or Hamilton has the lead in HR, no break will happen for Cabrera I would suspect. If the Tigers clinch, I wonder what would happen if Hamilton sits because the Rangers have also clinched but Cabrera leads or is tied for HR and Cabrera has a two point lead in the batting race. Do the Tigers have Cabrera play and put his destiny in his own hands, or do they sit back and see if Mauer can catch him?

Have to think that Cabrera is going to want to play. Thanks for the stats. It's going to be so much fun to see how these last few games play out. I'll be switching back and forth between the Twins/Blue Jays and Tigers/Royals.

I think Cabrera will play all three games. I could be wrong-- but Detroit currently has a three game lead on Chicago. If they lose all three games and Chicago wins all three-- tying for first-- I believe that the stats for the game 163 playoff counts for the regular season--- as do the one game wild card stats. So Cabrera would have an extra game to try to clinch the triple crown if needed. The wild card won't come from the Central-- so that is not an issue. Could some one confirm that the stats count? It is highly unlikely this would happen---but stranger things have occurred.

I think Cabrera will play all three games. I could be wrong-- but Detroit currently has a three game lead on Chicago. If they lose all three games and Chicago wins all three-- tying for first-- I believe that the stats for the game 163 playoff counts for the regular season--- as do the one game wild card stats. So Cabrera would have an extra game to try to clinch the triple crown if needed. The wild card won't come from the Central-- so that is not an issue. Could some one confirm that the stats count? It is highly unlikely this would happen---but stranger things have occurred.

Game 163 counts, Wild Card game does not.

Alexi Cassila finishes below the medoza line had game 163 not counted in 2009, though I hope that wasn't the thought going through his head while he was running down to first.

Do SABR guys get excited about the OPS+ race?

Well, 4 for 5 with a solo HR will do wonders for Miggy.

Mauer's 1 for 5, not so much.

Trout 4-4.

Well you can still cheer for that exciting 4th worst record finish. they have the commanding (1 game) lead currently.