is bunting smart

Run Expectancy and Why Bunting Is Bad

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Run expectancy in baseball is simple, and incredibly important, changing how coaches think about strategy, stealing, bunting, and the value of outs and extra bases. Is bunting smart? Want to know why bunting is bad? Let’s start with a definition:

Check out My Video About Bunting & Run Expectancy

Watch my video about the value of bunting in baseball or click below:

Run expectancy: how many runs we can expect to score, on average, given a specific base/out state.

Base/out state is also simple: it’s a situation, such as runners on first and third with one out. Every hitter comes to the plate in a base/out state; it could be 2 outs and bases empty, or no one out and the bases loaded. There are 24 possible base/out states.

why bunting is bad in baseball

And, for every base/out state, there is a mountain of MLB data that shows the probability of a run scoring in that situation, and how many runs score on average in any given situation (run expectancy). We’ll touch on run expectancy and bunting today, and cover probability another day.

How Has Run Expectancy Data Changed Baseball?

Well, to be precise, it only changes baseball when players and coaches are receptive to it.

is bunting smart in baseball

Understanding run expectancy charts helps a coach and player make good decisions based on the probability that runs will score, and how many we can typically expect.

The biggest takeaway from run expectancy is how incredibly important outs are. Every out causes a drastic reduction in expected runs, so we have to treat them like they’re precious.

This is where sacrifice bunting comes in to play…

Why Bunting Is Bad – It Can Reduce Expected Runs in Some Situations.

I’ll level with you – bunting is certainly NOT always bad.

Especially in youth baseball, where fielding even routine ground balls and bunts can be a circus, bunting can play a viable, disruptive role in the game. In the pro game, when a player bunts he is almost always out–this is a huge difference and something that needs to be taken into consideration.

should you bunt

But, when we look at some of the numbers, it can definitely be a not-so-smart play in many situations.

In short, because outs are the biggest detractor from a team’s chances of scoring, sacrifice bunting hurts – a LOT. I’m not talking about bunting for hits.

Below are three charts that illustrate how expected runs decrease in the three most common bunting situations:

  • Bunting a single runner from 1st to 2nd (most often used late, when the winning or tying run is aboard)
  • Bunting a single runner from 2nd to third (most often used in the same situation as above)
  • Bunting two runners over from 1st & 2nd, to 2nd & 3rd (this is common when weaker hitters come to bat)

I jumped onto Tom Tango’s website, Tangotiger.net, and used his run expectancy data, which I inserted into the charts below, to make the data easier for you to read. The data is from 5 MLB seasons, 2010-2015.

I recommend Mr. Tango’s book, The Book: Playing the Percentages in Baseball, which can be found Here. I really enjoyed it. The information he posts on his website is free, so please support his research.

Note: Some of the links in my posts earn me an affiliate commission. This doesn’t affect the price you pay, but I thought you should know. I only link to products or books that I’ve used, love and recommend.

Sac Bunt, 1st to 2nd

In the situation below, I’ve highlighted the two base/out states we’re dealing with: runner on 1st with no outs, which then becomes a runner on 2nd with 1 out after the bunt.

Run Expectancy and Why Bunting Is Bad

Runner on 1st, No Outs: We expect 0.86 runs on average

Runner on 2nd, One Out: We now expect only 0.66 runs on average

RESULT: The bunt reduces the success of the average inning by 0.2 runs, which means that if you bunt 10 times in this situation, your team would score 2 fewer runs than if you didn’t. This might mean two fewer games tied up or won…

 

Sac Bunt, 2nd to 3rd

This is a common situation, trying to move the potential tying or go-ahead run to third with one out, so that a team can “manufacture” the run. A runner on third with one out will score with a deep fly ball or ground ball to the middle infield if the infield isn’t playing in.

Run Expectancy and Why Bunting Is Bad

Runner on 2nd, No Outs: We expect 1.10 runs on average

Runner on 3rd, One Out: We now expect only 0.95 runs on average

RESULT: The bunt reduces the success of the average inning by 0.15 runs, which means that if you bunt 10 times in this situation, your team would score 1.5 fewer runs than if you didn’t. This seems counterintuitive, since a sac fly or middle-infield grounder can score a player from third with one out. But, nonetheless, this sac bunt hurts the inning. This reduction is smaller than in the previous, but still relevant.

Sac Bunt, 1st & 2nd to 2nd & 3rd

Run Expectancy and Why Bunting Is Bad

This one is probably the biggest mistake of the three in youth baseball, because it reduces the team’s chances of having a BIG inning, and big innings often single-handedly win games. The reduction in run expectancy (RE) is only 0.06 runs, and so it basically wastes an out without improving the odds of scoring. 

BUT – remember, that this is MLB data below, and the effect of the double play, which will wipe out a inning faster than anything, is very real. 1st and 2nd has the double play in order, whereas 2nd and 3rd does not.

In youth baseball, especially at 16U and below, this difference is especially important, as double plays are vastly less frequent. In the Major Leagues, when the double play is in order, a double play occurs about 15% of the time.

At youth levels, this might be 5% or lower, which means that 1st and 2nd will produce even more runs than we expect in the chart to our left, since a grounder to shortstop will most likely move the situation to 1st and 3rd with one out (RE = 1.13), rather than 3rd only with 2 outs (RE = 0.35 runs).

run expectancy bunting

Getting the first two runners on is the exact thing we want in producing a big inning, and giving the opposition an out hurts that goal, even more so in youth baseball than MLB baseball.

Run Expectancy Is Important!

It tells us why bunting may not be the right choice in most situations. There may be situations where a sacrifice bunt still makes sense, and bunting for hits is NOT included in this analysis of why bunting is bad. Bunting for a hit is completely different, as the goal is not to give the opposing team an out in exchange for a base.

Outs are the currency in baseball – making an out is the worst thing a hitter can do, and NOT making an out, of any kind, provides tremendous run-scoring value for a team, even just a walk, hit by pitch, or single.

Bunting FAQ

Is bunting bad?

Bunting certainly has it’s place in youth and amateur baseball, as it can be very disruptive when fielding is still not that easy of a task–players routinely make errors and struggle to make plays that college and pro players make 98% of the time. But, sacrifice bunting can reduce run expectancy, which means that trading an out for a base usually results in the statistics saying that fewer runs will be scored in that inning.

Does bunting make sense in baseball?

Yes, it still makes sense in some situations, and can be very effective in youth baseball. Bunting can often raise win expectancy in late-game situations, where moving a runner up into scoring position decreases run expectancy but increases the likelihood of getting a win where maybe that runner is the winning run. Though data has shown that bunting often reduces the chances of runs being scored in an inning, win expectancy can increase.

50 thoughts on “Run Expectancy and Why Bunting Is Bad”

  1. I would be interested to see the SAC bunting stats in a walk off situation. That is expectancy to score 1 run vs run expectancy.

    Do you know, or does the book cover those numbers?

    1. Well, you wouldn’t really want to use expectancy for that; run probability would make more sense. A single runner on 3rd with 0 outs scores 84% of the time, with 1 out 66% of the time. So the question is, does a suicide or safety squeeze increase or decrease the likelihood of that runner scoring, compared to the 84 or 66%? When the hitters swing, there’s very little risk of the runner on 3rd being erased, whereas with suicide squeezes, and still with safety squeezes, a missed bunt often results in the runner at 3rd being out. So I’d guess the probability he scores on a bunt is lower than normal, but I dont know.

      1. You have a higher percentage chance of scoring with R2 R3 1 out than R1 R2 0 out.

        If you need one run, you could care less about possibly scoring .06 less runs if it means you have an 8% higher chance of scoring that 1 run.

        Why did you ignore that in this research?

        1. I didnt “ignore” anything. I just wrote an article. It wasnt meant to be the end all of bunt discussion and sometimes errors happen. Calm down.

        2. Craig kirchoff

          Here’s the problem. Bunting is an art, and youth league coaches struggle with teaching it, and dad’s tell their son’s bunting is weak. The bunt has a large place in the game problem is its takes practice. Tell Brett Butler he couldn’t bunt. Firmer Dodger

          1. Just watched the Phillies lose to the Braves after a big comeback. Phils tied it in bottom 9th, next 2 batters got on with singles. A struggling JT Realmuto comes up with no outs man on first and second. He strikes out on 3 pitches and the. Castellanos hits into a DP. In a walk off situation, what do the analytics say? Should they have tried to bunt them over ? Also, in 2023 I feel like these statistics can be more real time? Can they take into account the batter at the plate? How well he is (or is not ) barreling balls? How well is he working counts, his individual speed etc since JT can run better than most players let alone catchers. Would love to get your insights here.

    2. Bunting for a base hit is a good strategy, even with runners on base in some cases if the batter has particular skill in this art. The most prolific MLB bunters since 1988 have an accumulated batting average just below 500. Some of those bunt attempts for hits become sacrifices, which are a better than average result for an out.
      A shift makes it harder to retire a left-handed bunter. This could cause defenses to forego the shift against such a batter, which is a plus for the hitter in itself.

    3. There are teams in MLB that continue to try and play the game on offense as if their lineup is loaded with guys 1-9 who can reach the seats at any time. Too many teams playing like the Yankees on offense. Why some teams don’t hit and run or run and hit with 0 outs anymore is a shame or Bunt for a hit, or at least put runners in motion when a hitter has two strikes. The batting order use to give teams an identity. The element of surprise and the skill of bunting or hitting behind runners is obsolete and for so many mlb teams it shouldt be. Sacrifice bunting with a runner at 1n 0 outs in most situations at the pro level is useless, I agree. But sacrifice bunting with a runner at 2b and 0 outs should be done more due to the fact that players and teams refuse to hit the ball the other way!! Or back thru the middle so runner can advance. The skill of sacrifice bunting or situational Hitting, or bunting for a hit, or hit run are lost arts….This is why baseball stinks! The strategy and use of talent and skill SUCKS! To watch teams try to win by just power pitching and power hitting is a joke!! If more emphasis was put on sacrifice bunting and situations hitting those numbers you have would go way up! It’s not bunting that’s the problem it’s the lack of skill the next hitter has to do his job! Think about it! Really think about it! IM RIGHT

      1. With K’s and shifts so prevalent in today’s game, I don’t know why small ball tactics aren’t applied more frequently. I understand not bunting with your 3 & 4 batters, but with the bottom of your lineup in late game situations, why not? I loved watching the lead off walk, steal 2nd, bunt to 3rd and sac fly for a run type of games.

  2. I like the chart and I understand the data behind it. It does all into question the decision to move runners into scoring position. I watch a lot of major league baseball and I understand this data is for all teams combined. Where I get frustrated are teams that seem to not score any runs with bases loaded and no outs a high percentage of the time, not to mention the 2.29 average in the chart. As a matter of fact, just the simple fact that these are averages means that half the league performs below this average. I’m not a big stats geek, but the eye test for such teams says they come up empty the majority of the time with bases loaded and 0 or 1 out. If I only have to push 5 runs across the plate to win more than half of my games, it seems to me that getting a run or two every other inning through manufacturing accomplishes that. I know the home run and the extra base hit are where it’s at, but I’d rather see a box of 100200010, vs 000000300. Wouldn’t a team that is in the lower half of the league, as far as this chart is concerned, might benefit from moving more runners than a team that is built to hit 3 run bombs? Don’t you have to play as you are constituted and not according to charts like these? If you aren’t built to get a lot of dingers, doesn’t it seem counterproductive to wish for the homers that are not coming?

    1. Hey Paul, thanks for the comment, and I get where you’re coming from.

      The stats, and I, both disagree with your eye test, which is really not a good way to judge these situations. Bases and loaded w 0 or 1 out…those are the best situations to be in as a hitting team, and the data reflects that. Probability of at least 1 run scoring with a runner on 3rd and 0 out is 85%…which debunks the eye test. And, from my 22 years playing the game, I in no way share your sentiment that teams come up empty most of the time…quite the opposite. It’s hard to prevent fewer than 2 runs from scoring with 0 out, and it’s still very tough to put up a 0 with bases loaded, 2nd and third with 0 or 1 outs.

      Plus, your very reasoning for manufacturing runs is contradictory to your thoughts on the bases loaded…manufacturing a run means trading outs to move runners to 2nd or third base. If you already have 2nd & 3rd, or the bases loaded, that situation is already accomplished for you.

      And, with averages, 2.29 runs is not a average built on 0 and 5 run outcomes – those outcomes are outliers (85% probability means 6/7 times at least one run scores). Rather, the 2.29 figure is built on 1-3 run outcomes in the bases loaded situation, which is consistent with my experience playing the game all these years.

      Not bunting does not mean a team is relying on homers. Rather, it’s just taking into account the BABIP – 3 out of 10 batted balls become hits, so with 1st and 2nd, for example, you get an over 50% chance of scoring those runners just by swinging away for three outs trying for one single or better. If you move them over with a bunt, a strikeout or pop up, grounder to P, 1 or 3 all ruin the manufactured run and force you to need a 2 out hit. In the Majors, only 15% of the time the double play is in order is a double play converted. So the odds are in a team’s favor to swing away – not for homers, but just for singles and doubles with the occasional homer as a bonus.

      1. Thanks for the detailed response. I appreciate you taking the time to state your case and I enjoy these articles because it forces analytical thought. We all need to challenge our belief systems or we will fail to improve.

        I certainly agree that baseball has evolved with the focus on sabermetrics or advanced statistics. I definitely believe that the bunt was severely over utilized in the past. I simply believe that today’s game has perhaps tipped too far in the other direction. Often, when a bunt is needed, players are embarrassingly bad at execution. Even David Ortiz was very good at bunting–when he had to. Players need to work on all aspects of their craft.

        I still believe there is a place in the game for bunting other than against infield defensive shifts. Besides, if we always went with the numbers, no one would play the lottery 😉

        Thanks again.

  3. Dan, I think this info is extremely interesting. What would be really great is if there was an analysis of college level baseball, with the assumption that the talent level is lower and how that might effect outcomes (hitters not as good at situational hitting , infield defenses, etc.

    1. Hey Desi, I completely agree – I read this stuff and constantly wonder how it applies, and how the numbers change in lower levels of baseball. In the Majors, outcomes are much more certain, as you know. But a sac bunt in 13U baseball probably becomes a hit 15% of the time (just guessing), so it’s very different. And, the disparate levels of play makes run expectancy tables much less relevant. Gamechanger just added BABIP to the stats they track, maybe they’ll start keeping base/out state data in the future.

      1. Good point, but also consider the times where a bunt is attempted and a player cannot get it down and either pops out, or goes back to swinging with 2 strikes. Then you give up an out without any positive outcome.

  4. The MLB data likely does not accurately represent RE in youth baseball games. In fact, given that youth baseball scoring environment is generally higher than in MLB, I would expect that the true impact of sacrifice bunting is probably even more detrimental in youth baseball. More passed balls and wild pitches, as well as increased SB rates, for example, would tend to further temper the impact of sac bunts. In other words, a lot of those runners are going to advance, anyway, so why give up outs with sac bunts?

    1. Yep, I agree – that’s what we’re faced with now, figuring out how these new stats apply to amateur and youth baseball, and how the implications change. And, you’re right that sac bunts are likely even more costly because of how often players steal, and how often a bunt can go for a hit, even when intended to be a sacrifice. Doesn’t make sense to just give up an out when they’ll give you a base anyway.

  5. Very interesting- every situation is different but knowledge is power. And an informed decision is a better decision. Statistics don’t lie- Thanks for the info/ learning.

    1. Agreed – we can’t necessarily rule anything out, but statistics are doing a good job of explaining what maybe we couldn’t see before. Thanks for reading! Dan

  6. Love this stat and I’m not a fan of the bunt for advancing runners. How do we factor in the running making it aboard, the runner swiping and extra base? Do we assume this is countered by the likely hood of the batter not executing the bunt?

    I’ve seen similar results in the sport of Softball, but it’s more likely a runner makes it aboard with well executed bunt.

    My current view point is, let your hitters hit and fast runners steal.

  7. Also a follow up question. Whilst talks about run expectancy, this chart factors the likely hood of multiple runners scoring. I’d really like to see the expectancy of the lead runner scoring in these situations? If this does increase the likely hood of the lead runner scoring, which I expect it would, comparing the influence this additional run has on the result of the game over rolling the dice for the additional runs?

    1. Run probability charts would be the stat to look to in that case, not expectancy. Probability just tracks the likelihood of at least one run scoring before the inning ends. I dont have a way of pasting one into this comment, but tangotiger.net has them (if I dont have one on this post).

  8. This is all wrong. Look at the chart. You forget one very important thing. The result of the at bat. Runner on first with no outs the run expectancy is.86. Like the charts says if the sac bunt is sucessful then runner on 2b with 1 out is a.66. Now if the manager doesn’t bunt and the batter gets out (so many varibles in regards to the htter at the plate but remember even the best hitters get out 70% of the time plus the risk of grounding into a double play) then you have runner at first with one out for a .51 run expectancy which is worse than runner on 2b with out. Of course if the batter hits into a DP (again varibles with the type of pitcher on the mound). Played and managed this games for 40 plus years. Run expectancy means nothing to me. If I have a player that can’t hit but can lay down a bunt and it is a close game with runners on base, I am bunting everytime.

    1. Hi Bud,

      In the run expectancy charts, the numbers reflect all outcomes until the end of that inning in which that base/out state occurred. So, the 0.86 runs we expect with a runner on 1st with 0 outs includes all the times a runner will ground out, ground into a DP, etc. They took all instances in MLB where there was a runner on 1st with 0 outs, and with every outcome that occurred after, the number was still 0.86 runs.

      So, the same is true for a runner on 2nd with 1 out: 0.66 runs. This is the average of everything that comes after. Choosing 2nd with 1 out is choosing a situation in which less runs score over time. If you choose that situation 100 times – by bunting to it, for example – it will cost your team 20 runs on average.

      This is not to say bunting is never a good idea – I didn’t say that in my article. Context still matters, and bunting in the final inning to put the winning run on 2nd increases win expectancy, even if run expectancy is diminished. Context still matters.

      Sabermetrics and advanced statistics are challenging many of our long-held beliefs. It’s up to all of us to have an open mind to see how we can use the data to simply make better decisions. Thanks for the comment. Dan

  9. Only talking pros now…

    Bunting makes all kinds of sense.

    1. The lower the players batting avg. The more ground balls they hit. This is true of players batting 275 and 260, the 260 guy hits more ground balls. This is even true of players within their career, Hosmer hitting 240 one year, hits more ground balls than Hosmer hitting 275 the next. The more ground balls, the higher the likelihood of a DP which would skew the entire chart, and DOES SKEW THE ENTIRE CHART. You dont have Yellich bunt, but your slow catcher who bats 220 should probably bunt in most cases. The giant drop off in RE with 2 outs with no one on, kills the small advantage you think you are getting by having him swing away. I know that is reflected in the chart but we are increasing the average number of DP balls which the chart uses. Which is a reality as you go down in batting average and speed.

    2. Since run probability goes up while run expectancy goes down in the case of a sac bunt, you have to understand that the average number of runs you score may go up, though not necessarily when you consider my first point, by going with run probability your MEAN number of runs will increase. So you dont score 10 as often, but you score 3 or 4 more often, and for a team with good pitching and defense this would also skew the small value of the .22 run expectancy gain you see in the chart but may not exist anyway, given the situation, depending on a batters speed and proclivity to hitting ground balls INCREASING the DP rate.

    It should also be noted that when facing good pitching your run expectancy will be lower, therefore choosing run probability in those situations will have a greater value as your chance of a big inning will be lower, and the value of a single run will be much higher. This is especially true when two very good pitchers square off. Good pitchers also tend to have high ground ball and strike out rates, poor hitters bunting when facing them makes even more sense.

    3. Bunting is an easier skill to master than hitting for power especially for a pitcher who isn’t batting as much.
    If a batter is batting 100, as pro pitchers often do, 9 times out of 10 you are going to wind up with a runner at first with one out which will always have a lower run EXPECTANCY than the runner at 2nd base with 1 out. So if a 100 hitter can be taught to bunt with any proficiency, you are going to be in a much better position, and you will be avoiding the incredibly high strike out and ground ball rate of a 100 hitter swinging away. Also, by making the opposing pitcher field the ball or an opposing infielder field the ball on the run, you increase the chance of a throwing error, etc. Vs the zero percent chance of that on a strike out.

    The problem with the chart is that it is based on AVERAGES, where as the true decision to bunt is made on the SITUATION: Is Yellich or Sandy Leon batting? And, do I have a gold glove infield and Degrom or Kluber on the mound? The supposed .22 RE advantage is completely nonexistant in the case of Leon who is a slow, low 200s hitter with a higher than average ground ball rate. Where as in the case of Degrom and his gold glove infield, you would want to go with run probability over expectancy.

  10. I think a batter’s strike out propensity and ability to move the runner via a directional ball in play is as important as anything here.
    Every hitter has strengths and weaknesses. There are times when a bunt can be a make or break maneuver, based on personnel.
    Great hitters can move runners any number of ways. Hitters with poor bat control and/or strikeout propensity are better off bunting in certain circumstances…but of course, they have to be adequate bunters.

  11. A situation is not only a “statistc event”, it is a pile of facts. When you have that pile facts in front of you… you adapt, sometimes bunt is the good choice. Probably less n MLB…
    Personnaly I coach in a “non baseball” country, and feel like our baseball looks more like “MLB play off” (with way less HR 😉 ), than “MLB regular season” baseball… because during playoff they start to steal, hit and run, and… bunt !
    Maybe you could compare Play Off charts to Season charts ?
    because… who needs the advices you propose ? MLB ? I don’t think so… it is lower level, and youth level, and you said it your self : it is different… so maybe there, like for “play off”, Bunt is not THAT bad.
    That was a cool reading by the way, thanks !
    (and sorry for my approximative english)

  12. You must have a different printing of The Book than the one I have, because this isn’t the take Tango/Lichtmann/Dolphin have on the sacrifice bunt at all. Indeed, its authors say the sacrifice is an essential part of a manager’s arsenal. There are two issues you’re missing:

    * Batters who sacrifice are worse hitters than ones who do not. Obviously, pitchers bunt more often, but even ignoring them draws the same conclusion. Nobody bunts with Mike Trout, and that makes the swinging away results more positive.
    * Late in the game, win expectancy, not run expectancy, is what’s important.

    1. Can you explain what “my take is?” I re-read my work here and basically the entire article is regurgitating numbers straight from the charts along with brief analysis of why bunting “may” be a poor choice in some situations. The title was worded strongly but that’s not the conclusion in the article, if you had taken the time to read it. Call the title clickbait if you want, but the article stands for itself. You didn’t read it, or if you did you missed the point entirely and that’s not my fault.

      Allow me to include my own list of things you’re missing:

      *I made no mention of win expectancy, which was not within the scope of this article. Congrats on knowing it, but this article never claimed to be the complete guide to bunting.
      *Nowhere did I say that the authors of The Book were claiming that bunting was bad. Did I? Nope–no problems with my copy of the book, thanks. I merely shared that stats were from their book and recommended it to others.
      *You’re not on Fangraphs.com and this article was intended for MY audience – baseball parents, youth coaches, etc. to get them thinking beyond what they’ve always known as coaches.

      Next time, do the following:

      A) Consider your comment more carefully.
      B) Word your comment in a less snarky tone. Maybe you’re just a jerk by nature, but try not to be. I actually help other people for a living…not sure what you contribute.
      C) Read my article more closely. You skimmed it, at best.

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    1. Unfortunately I dont…this is based on MLB data and as far I know, there is no softball data like it available.

  14. “…and the effect of the double play, which will wipe out a inning faster than anything, is very real. 1st and 2nd has the double play in order, whereas 2nd and 3rd does not.”

    What would double-play potential be worth in this equation? If I bunt, I give up .20 to get the man to second, but it should be worth something. Seems to me that getting a man into scoring position and reducing the chance of a double play should be a consideration.

  15. What I would like to know is how this chart work with the bottom 1/3 of your batting order?

    I hate seeing good hitters asked to bunt but when you have players batting less than .170 at the back of your lineup would it not be better to have them bunt the runner along than hit into a double play.

    1. you’re right wondering that – there’s no set solution for every team or hitter; many times bunting does make sense, depending.

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  17. As a hitting coach working with 9U travel through high school baseball I don’t even teach bunting to players because as you state, outs are precious. I teach hitters to focus on productive at bats or quality at bats to move runners in any way they can. Think of it as a window… sac bunting to move runners to scoring position or even score a run relies on one detail, putting the bunt down successfully. Striving for a quality at bat drastically opens that window where a base hit, fly ball, walk, hbp, ground ball hit behind the runner, etc will move the runner or score a run with less chance of giving up that precious out. I’ll also say I do not teach launch angles and the home run swing but hard line drives, plate discipline, and hitting the ball to the opposite field. I enjoyed this article and agree that bunting isn’t always the smart play. Kudos for doing the research and providing statistical analysis.

  18. With respect to your definition of RE.
    The Fallacy of Division states that what is true of an entire group is not therefore true of any member of the group or any non randomly chosen subset of the group. So if RE (X _ _ 0) for 2021 is .94, that doesn’t not mean that if we consider all situations (X _ _ 0) when Vlad Jr was batting the RE will be .94 or if we consider all situations (X _ _ 0) where the runner on first was the #9 hitter the RE will be .94.
    The probable number of runs which will score in any chosen inning depends entirely on the probable production of the lineup due up facing the pitcher on the mound. If that is 0 or 10 runs RE doesn’t care because there will be almost 10,000 PA with (X _ _ 0) this year. Any individual result has no impact.

    1. I agree 100% that is all depends on who is at the plate. To be honest I could care about run expencdency but the true percentages is what I would rely on. Just like when playing poker, you play the percentages. Another factor problably not in the research is the pressure that it puts on pitchers. Moving runners into scoring position puts added pressure on a pitcher which means these run expendencices are not accurate. I rather see the % on a pitcher, pitching in these situations to include who is at the plate. I am a firm believer of statistics. “AKA MONEY BALL”. How come the A’s have no name players but constantly are in the mix of playoffs. Give me Statitics how a batter hits a pitcher, a pitcher pitches against a batter, night time games, day time games, M-Sun and etc… Oh now I sound like a bettor, looking for that advantages. I will play advantages of the game.. For example Jose Altuve hits Zack Greinke lifetime .386 in 26 AB’s. I put him in my lineup I bet my run expendancy goes up in that situation…. Just saying…

  19. The one that gets me is walks to the first 2 batters then a bunt.
    Now for pro bunting. It depends how bad the hitter/next hitters are. The run difference includes innings with Batters like Trout. Who no one would ever bunt. So what is the run difference when just the 7-9 hitters? My guess is the numbers get closer together.

  20. What do you think about the idea of using a safety squeeze in the bottom of the 8th inning of last night’s World Series game, where the Phillies had runners on 1st and 3rd with one out and their No. 9 hitter Marsh (who strikes out more than 1/3 of the time) at bat, the Astros had Pressley on the mound (who strikes out more than 1/3 of the hitters he faces), the Astros’ infield infield was at double play or halfway depth (I’m not sure which) and the first basemen was an outfielder holding Segura on 1st base? And where the score was 3-2 in favor of the Astros?

  21. What do you think of the idea the Phillies trying a safety squeeze with runners on first and third with two outs in the 8th inning last night with the Astros leading 3-2, where the batter was Marsh (their 9th hole hitter, who had a .245 BA this season and struck out more than 1/3 of the time), the pitcher was Pressley (who struck out more than 1/3 of the batters he faced this year), and the first baseman who was holding Segura on first was an outfielder by trade?

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