NERD Game Scores for May 29, 2017

Devised originally in response to a challenge issued by sabermetric forefather 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.

How are they calculated? Haphazardly, is how. An explanation of the components and formulae which produce these NERD scores is available here. All objections to the numbers here are probably justified, on account of how this entire endeavor is absurd.

Most Highly Rated Game
Oakland at Cleveland | 16:10 ET
Mengden (Season Debut) vs. Carrasco (58.1 IP, 80 xFIP-)
According to the author’s haphazardly constructed algorithm, there are no games of great distinction today. David Price’s season debut might possess interest for some; the curiously successful D-backs — a club that’s produced nearly two wins by means of baserunning alone — might appeal to others. As for this game between Oakland and Cleveland, it features the season debut of Daniel Mengden, a pitcher who’s produced very strong statistical indicators in the upper minors over the last couple years and actually showed some promise in 14 major-league starts last year.

Did Aristotle suggest that the act of contemplation is the greatest pleasure available to man? It sounds plausible. Whatever the case, the game facilitates the opportunity to contemplate Daniel Mengden and his prospects for the future.

Readers’ Preferred Broadcast: Cleveland Radio.

Another Brief Note
Today’s Free Game
Today’s free game features Cincinnati at Toronto, starts at 19:07 ET, and can be accessed by means of this hyperlinked text.

Complete Schedule
Here’s the complete and also sortable table for all of today’s games. Pitching probables and game times aggregated from MLB.com and 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.