Dewan: Can the first 10 games predict playoff chances?
From SABR member John Dewan at ACTA Sports on April 11, 2014:
Over the course of a full season, the worst teams in baseball typically put together a winning streak or two. And even the best teams go through some slumps. It might surprise you, then, that over the last 10 seasons, the record of teams in their first 10 games of the season shows a clear correlation with their chances of making the playoffs.
<snip>
None of the five teams that started 1-9 over the last decade reached the postseason, so it’s a good thing that every team has started this season with at least two wins. The Diamondbacks certainly did not get out of the gate the way they would have wanted to with a 2-8 record, but they have managed to win their two games since, and 2 of the 16 teams (13 percent) in their situation have rebounded to make a playoff run.
Read the full article here: http://www.statoftheweek.com
Originally published: April 11, 2014. Last Updated: April 11, 2014.