FanGraphs Audio: Jason Martinez Looks To Repeat
Episode 889
The latest episode of FanGraphs Audio is here in time to preview the 16-team playoff bracket. The Astros continue to receive a closer look as they enter the playoffs (they’re far from the favorites this time around), while the staff prepares for predictions — as well as some impressive callbacks.
- Dan Szymborski and Jay Jaffe continue their Houston talk from last week, but this time, they set their sights on Jose Altuve. The 2017 AL MVP has not been at his best this season, and it could mean troubling things for his baseball future. [1:53]
- Eric Longenhagen chats with Jason Martinez, creator of the invaluable RosterResource, about a number of players who were off the radar before this season who are now mainstays for their clubs. Finally, the pair take a shot at predicting the results of the eight Wild Card Series. While picking playoff winners is a often a fruitless endeavor, Jason will remind you that he aced it last year. [27:32]
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Audio after the jump. (Approximate 67 minutes play time.)
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Dylan assists in producingFanGraphs Audio, Effectively Wild, and the FanGraphs Live Twitch channel. He also enjoys the Waxahachie Swap (RIP), the Air Bud principle, and the Oxford comma. You can Tweet him about any of those things @dhhiggins.
Listening to the segment where Dan is lamenting trying to project out for 2021. Obviously this is a very challenging task.
Perhaps playing around with reality from the 1981 season might be instructive? In other words, construct two parallel universes where only one half of 1981 was played – one for each the first half and the second half. Then see what statistical approaches might work best toward projecting out the following years, and think about ways to blend them with each other if necessary and with modern numbers.
The second half of 1981 might be the closest thing we have that resembles our current situation – an abrupt halt in baseball activities followed by multiple-month layoff before resuming. Helpfully, each half of the season is about 60 games.
Anyways that’s just my two cents. Love the new format!