Last Updated on July 22, 2026 by Team TBH
The game of baseball appears to be quite simple at the surface level. One team of players attempts to throw a baseball to a series of markers on the ground on the opposing team’s side of the field as fast as possible, while the other team of players attempts to hit that baseball with a stick before running to one of the markers on their own side of the field. The team with the most runs at the end of the game wins. However, games are really made up of a huge amount of smaller battles, and as fans we try to follow along to help understand the full story of a given contest.
As baseball fans we often glance at the win-loss record of both teams playing in a game and often jump to conclusions without digging further. The reality is that every game is made up of dozens of little battles within the bigger game of baseball. There is the battle of the starting pitcher against the offense of the opposing team, the battles of the hitters against the pitchers of the opposing team, and the little battles that take place in each at bat by both teams. It is easy to miss all of the little battles that take place throughout a game by just focusing on the final score of the game. As fans, we would love to have a better understanding of what is taking place in every game throughout a season, and the best way to get a better understanding of every game is by following the game of baseball from an expert perspective of baseball analysis.
Look Beyond the Win-Loss Record
Many analysts rely on a team’s win-loss record in baseball. This can be misleading for a number of reasons.
Also important to note is the team’s recent performance as well as the schedule they have faced thus far. For example, a team with a great winning percentage may have earned a majority of their wins against sub-par opponents. Conversely, a team with a sub-par winning percentage could be earning a great number of losses against top opponents and a large number of close games against mediocre opponents.
The analysis goes deeper than looking at a team’s win-loss record. While the record provides a basis for understanding a team’s recent performance, the analysis examines a team’s performance in recent games, who they have played and how that team’s record may not accurately reflect their ability.
Now looking at the run differential for each team we can see that a team that wins a lot of close games but loses big can have a record that doesn’t reflect their true ability. On the flip side of this, a team that loses a lot of close games but win big can be playing better then their record indicates.
Study the Starting Pitching Matchup
While wins and losses reflect the end result of a game, the Starting Pitcher can have the greatest influence on how a game unfolds. As such, it is very important to examine a Starting Pitcher’s overall statistics, recent performance, as well as his ability to get certain types of hitters out. If the Opponent has a certain type of hitter that has historically had success against the Starting Pitcher’s strengths, then there is a good chance that the game will become more competitive as the relievers enter into the game.
While earned run average is an important number to look at for starting pitchers, it is not the best way to evaluate their performances. A more in-depth analysis of a pitcher’s recent performances, as well as their strikeout and walk numbers, can give a better indication of how they are performing. Furthermore, the number of pitches that a starter throws per game, as well as how they have performed in certain individual matchups in the past, can also be telling.
Another thing to think about in terms of how a starting pitcher will fare is the opposing lineup. There are different types of hitters and some pitchers will have better success against certain types of hitters than others. For example, a starting pitcher who relies on a fastball down the lane may not have as much success against a team that is very aggressive on inner curve balls. Conversely, a starting pitcher who relies on a variety of breaking balls to create weak ground balls could have success against a team of aggressive hitters.
Also, take into account the health of the starter and any other factors that may affect his performance such as coming off of an injury, being on reduced rest, or throwing more than in previous years. It will also help you understand how long the pitcher is likely to last in the game.
Consider Bullpen Strength and Availability
Even more important than the starting line-up is the analysis of the starting pitchers. The starting pitchers receive the majority of the attention before a game. However, it is in the later innings of a contest when a baseball game is typically won or lost.
When two very even teams face off, the bullpens can become a huge factor. As the relievers are used in earlier games, the best ones may not be available for later games. In close games, a team with a great bullpen that has been used sparingly can have a huge advantage over a team with a great bullpen that has been used frequently. Experts at Doc’s will be able to give you an idea of how a manager will use his bullpen and which relievers will be available for later games.
Recent bullpen use is a much better indicator of a bullpen’s strength than season long statistics. A team can have the best bullpen in baseball, but if they have been used heavily in the last few days, they are not going to be as effective as a similarly ranked bullpen that has been used sparingly.
Much information can be gained from the preseason preview from an expert on baseball. The previews not only go into a lot of information about the regular season for both teams but also give information about the starting pitching match up for the first game as well as information about the bullpens for both teams. This will help fans know which relievers for both teams will be available for the later part of the game as well as how each manager uses their bullpen in the later part of the game. Also, the website https://www.docsports.com/free-picks/baseball/ gives information about the free pick for the first game of the series as well as past games between the two teams.
By studying out the late inning matchups, you will have a better grasp of why a team’s manager is making the decisions that he is making. And that will make the decisions that he makes more logical to you, and therefore more fun to watch.
Evaluate Lineups and Individual Matchups
Because each at bat is essentially a duel between a batter and a pitcher, it is common for experts to go into depth about individual match-ups. The matchups between a team’s hitters and the opposing starting pitcher are usually more important than any other factor in the game, because they determine whether or not a team will score.
A team with a great lineup on paper may not hit as well against a particular pitcher, as some players are better against left-handed pitching, some are better against right-handed pitching, and some get knocked around by very fast or very outside balls.
The way a team lines up at the plate for a game is also an important factor. Because of injuries, for rest, or because of recent performance a manager may alter a team’s lineup from one game to another. A team’s best hitter could be taken out of the lineup for example because that player does not hit well against a particular type of pitcher and the team does not have another player to protect a hitter in the lineup in front of them.
In order to get the most updated information about the starting lineups, it’s best to check the confirmed lineups close to game time. The starting lineups are usually changed because of minor injuries, planned rest or weather related changes.
Major League Baseball’s official statistics and roster information is a good place to look when wanting to get information about a team or player’s past performance and current status.
A Smarter Way to Enjoy Baseball
There is so much more to baseball than watching a couple of guys run around a diamond and hitting a ball with a bat. The sport is so deep and so strategic, and it is so much more fun when you know what is going on.
The score of the game still matters a great deal but understanding the various elements of the game which have contributed to the score in the end – the various elements such as the quality of the starting pitchers, the relief corps, the respective lineups, and how the manager uses his players as the game unfolds – is also crucial to the full enjoyment of the game.
To read more content like this, explore The Brand Hopper
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