The Blue Jays’ Huge Change in Attendance

A lot of attention is being paid to the Toronto Blue Jays. They are basically guaranteed to make the playoffs for the first time in 22 years, and currently have the highest odds of winning the World Series. As I wrote about a week or so ago, they made significant improvements to their team around the July 31st trade deadline. Prior to that date the Jays were playing .500 ball, and attracting a fairly typical number of fans to the Rogers Centre. Since then they have been playing .700 ball, and selling out almost every home game. Turns out winning will bring Toronto fans to the park.

For my article at Beyond the Box Score I quantified within-season attendance changes for every team in each season going back to 1990. The change in attendance that has happened in Toronto from the first four months of the season (April – July) to the last two months (August and September) is the largest change in the sample I examined. It took a while for Jays fans to buy into the talent on the team, but they have fully bought in now.

Head over to Beyond the Box Score to read more about attendance changes: If you build it, they will come: The Blue Jays’ huge attendance boost.

Trade Pieces, Pedro as Hope, Finding an Ace, and David Ortiz

I had another Read Sox article up at BP Boston yesterday. This week I highlighted articles about what the Red Sox have to sell at the trade deadline, the importance of newly enshrined Pedro Martinez as a symbol of hope for the Dominican Republic, the path to finding an ace starter for next season, and David Ortiz’ hall of fame chances.

Go check it out: Read Sox: Planning for Next Year, The Beauty of Pedro Martinez, and the Resurgent David Ortiz.

Previewing the Red Sox’ Weekend Series with the Tigers

I have the Weekend Preview piece at BP Boston today. In my preview I focus on how meaningless the series is for the Red Sox, but how it is potentially important for the Tigers, as they have major decisions to make with the trade deadline looming. The Red Sox are a complete disaster and painful to watch on a nightly basis. The front office staff should be focusing on doing what they can to prepare this team for success in 2016 and beyond.

You can check out what I think about the series here: Weekend Preview: Red Sox v. Tigers

 

The Importance of Big Papi, X, the Brockstar, and Catching Experience

I have another Read Sox article up at BP Boston. There is not much baseball this week, as it is the All-Star break, so reading a bunch of stuff about the Red Sox seems like a good thing to do! This week I highlighted articles about David Ortiz, Xander Bogaerts, Ryan Hanigan, and Brock Holt. Consideration is also given to how John Farrell has changed his managerial style a little bit amidst the struggles of the team, and what the Red Sox need to do at the trade deadline.

For each link I offer my own analysis and short comments. Go check it out: Read Sox: Ortiz’s Absence, Xander the Great, Holt and Hanigan.

Evaluating International Signings, Trade Deadline Plans, the Strike Zone, and Lack of Rallies

I am late getting this posted here, but last week at BP Boston I had another Read Sox article. This week I highlighted articles about the performance of two of the Red Sox’ major international signings, some possibilities for the trade deadline, Mike Napoli’s ongoing detest for the new strike zone, and how the Red Sox have not had many late game rallies. As is always the case with the Read Sox articles, I offer my own analysis and short comments.

Head over to the site to check it out: Read Sox: International Signings, Trade Deadline, and the Strike Zone.