Best Division in the American League - AL Central??

[IdahoPilgrim]

So, 5+ weeks into the season, one can make the case that the AL Central is the best division in the American League.

 

Taking out divisional games and only considering results against teams in the other two divisions (and ignoring interleague games because of the unbalanced scheduling) you have as follows, through Thursday 5/8:

 

AL Central 41-31 .569

AL East 42-35 .545

AL West 25-42 .373

 

I expected the AL West to be the doormats, and they are, but I didn't expect the Central to be topping the East.

 

Just an observation.

[kab21]

Sometimes if you look at enough statistics you will find one that tells the story you want to.

[glunn]

I think this is a good thread and that sb is making an interesting observation.

[kab21]

He found a statistic that says the Central is the best division in the AL. I think that would raise an eyebrow with most impartial fans.

[Oxtung]

He found a statistic that says the Central is the best division in the AL. I think that would raise an eyebrow with most impartial fans.

 

Which of course doesn't mean it's not true. Fans have huge biases to overcome early in the season in every sport. Those preconceived notions from the offseason are hard to ignore.

[Fatt Crapps]

Lol

[kab21]

So all of the teams in the AL East are above .500. Is there a bias involved still?

[IdahoPilgrim]

So all of the teams in the AL East are above .500. Is there a bias involved still?

 

Really? With all the stuff to talk about right now, you want to go back and resurrect a thread from over a month ago, just so you can have the last word?

[johnnydakota]

Ahhh yup....

[nicksaviking]

I don't agree that the Central is the strongest based solely on intra divsion games but I don't see why there is this much hostility involved. A discussion about the best division in the league certainly seems like a germane topic for a baseball related website.

[jokin]

Which of course doesn't mean it's not true. Fans have huge biases to overcome early in the season in every sport. Those preconceived notions from the offseason are hard to ignore.

 

Or turn out to have notions that have basis in fact and past observation- especially as the sample sizes become more predictive.

[Old Twins Cap]

It is what it is. Baseball is baseball, and if you look at the splits, the Central has done well against the other two divisions. Now, with home and away games and other team factors in the head-to-heads, who knows if the Central is or is not the better division, but over time, these things tend to take care of themselves. So, kudos on a fun fact. It seems the AL East got fat on the NL.