NERD Game Scores for Friday, August 19, 2016

Devised originally in response to a challenge issued by sabermetric nobleman Rob Neyer, and expanded at the request of nobody, NERD scores represent an attempt to summarize in one number (and on a scale of 0-10) the likely aesthetic appeal or watchability, for the learned fan, of a player or team or game. Read more about the components of and formulae for NERD scores here.

Most Highly Rated Game
Boston at Detroit | 19:10 ET
Porcello (158.0 IP, 93 xFIP-) vs. Fulmer (120.0 IP, 87 xFIP-)
Red Sox hitters who aren’t also otherwise employed as pitchers have produced a collective 116 wRC+ this year, the best such mark in the majors. “How does that compare to other clubs over the last half decade?” a reasonably curious person might ask. Better than the 2013 Red Sox, is the answer. But not as good as the 2011 Cardinals, though. And not as good as the 2011 Red Sox, either. But better than the 2013 Tigers. But less good than last year’s Blue Jays.

It’s the fifth-best mark, is another version of the answer. Another, more succinct version.

Readers’ Preferred Broadcast: Detroit Radio.

Another Brief Note
Today’s Free Game
Today’s free game features Oakland at Chicago AL, starts at 20:10 ET, and can be accessed by means of this hyperlinked text.

Complete Schedule
Here’s the complete and very sortable table for all of today’s games. Pitching probables and game times aggregated from MLB.com and also the rest of the internet. Note that calculations both for team and game NERD scores feature adjustment for postseason odds that increases as season progresses. Read more about those adjustments here and here.