Rubbing Mud

Rubbing Mud: Martin Perez and Discontinuous Change$

by Matthew Trueblood 3/14

Image credit: USA Today Sports

The future is here (and Martin Perez is generating lots of spring training buzz).

Six of One, Half Dozen of Another: The Young Center Fielders (Part 2)$

by Matthew Trueblood 3/13

Image credit: USA Today Sports

There’s nothing as captivating at that great, young, well-rounded center fielder.

Six of One, Half Dozen of Another: The Young Center Fielders (Part 1)$

by Matthew Trueblood 3/12

Image credit: USA Today Sports

There’s nothing as captivating at that great, young, well-rounded center fielder.

Rubbing Mud: Imagining the Next MLB Expansion$

by Matthew Trueblood 3/05

Image credit: USA Today Sports

Rob Manfred said during a news conference that he sees MLB expanding to 32 teams in the not-so-distant future.

Rubbing Mud: Heads-Up Hacking — 1-1 is a Hitter’s Pitch but a Pitcher’s Count$

by Matthew Trueblood 2/26

Image credit: USA Today Sports

Greg Maddux knew better.

Rubbing Mud: PECOTA Solves Logjams Rob Manfred Won’t$

by Matthew Trueblood 2/14

Image credit: USA Today Sports

Without the DH to save them from their logjams, the Mets and Cardinals are going to have to take decisive action.

Rubbing Mud: The Tank-Free NL Central and the Quiet Cubs

by Matthew Trueblood 2/08

Image credit: USA Today Sports

Will the Cubs' inactivity cost them in a division PECOTA suddenly sees as very formidable?

Rubbing Mud: The Stakes of Philadelphia’s Star Search

by Matthew Trueblood 2/07

Image credit: USA Today Sports

PECOTA examines the Phillies' blockbuster options.

Rubbing Mud: Heads-Up Hacking — So You Got Ahead$

by Matthew Trueblood 2/06

Image credit: USA Today Sports

More than first-pitch hitting or being great after falling behind in the count, thriving after going ahead 1-0 seems to correlate damn near perfectly with overall batting talent.

Rubbing Mud: Let’s Talk About Shifts$

by Matthew Trueblood 2/04

If commissioner Rob Manfred wants to artificially generate more offense or a game predicated more on balls in play, he has several options.

Rubbing Mud: Heads-Up Hacking — Strategizing on the Second Pitch$

by Matthew Trueblood 1/29

Image credit: USA Today Sports

It's not about swinging at everything, but it's certainly about swinging at everything good.

Rubbing Mud: The Best Hitters Against Good Pitching$

by Matthew Trueblood 1/24

Image credit: USA Today Sports

You might be surprised by which free agent hitter fares best against the best.

Rubbing Mud: Heads-Up Hacking — The First Pitch$

by Matthew Trueblood 1/18

Image credit: USA Today Sports

Are hitters being aggressive enough on first pitches?

Rubbing Mud: The Good News in Wrigleyville$

by Matthew Trueblood 1/15

Image credit: USA Today Sports

Examining the Cubs' quiet offseason.

Rubbing Mud: Stanton Deal a Red Herring for Harper and Machado?$

by Matthew Trueblood 1/14

Image credit: USA Today Sports

Jeffrey Loria isn't involved this time.

Rubbing Mud: Graig Nettles, Superstar In Hiding

by Matthew Trueblood 12/06

Image credit: USA Today Sports

DRC+ provides a new lens for seeing Graig Nettles as one of the most underrated players of all time.