Run Differentials

Okay, so I'm bored this afternoon, so sue me (no, not you Shyster). Anyway, I was looking at the standings and playing around with it. I see the run differential column, so I find the date switcher-thingy and turn the clock back to last year. Here's what I found:

Tampa Bay Devil Rays --> -169
Tampa Bay Rays --> + 54
Uh, what?!? I guess dissociating yourself from Satan tends to turn things around.

Arizona (2007) --> -30
Arizona (2008) --> +25
And they're worse now.

St. Louis (2007) --> -103
St. Louis (2008) --> +31
And that's with a no-name pitching staff and Pujols missing a few weeks.

San Diego (2007) --> +52
San Diego (2008) --> -111
Going the wrong way. Make a U-turn at SigningguyslikeEdmonds and go straight towards GettingBurrell.

Chi Sox (2007) --> -93
Chi Sox (2008) --> +66
Oh, that's what happens when John Danks pitches like a former top prospect. Now I get it.

LA Angels (2007) --> +68
LA Angels (2008) --> +49
And they're better now?

Chi Cubs (2007) --> +44
Chi Cubs (2008) --> +143
Now, that's impressive.

Boston (2007) --> +129
Boston (2008) --> +107
They're worse because Manny left.

Oakland (2007) --> + 11
Oakland (2008) --> +15
Damn, that's consistency for you. Too bad they don't have a better record.

San Fran (2007) --> -7
San Fran (2008) --> -90
Ladies and Gentlemen, this is what happens when we take you off steroids.

Toronto (2007) --> + 39
Toronto (2008) --> + 41
Sorry Oakland, you lose the contest by two runs.

The Yankees almost have identical records (63-51 to this year's 63-52).

Most of this just shows us how things change in a year. Younger players get better. Older ones get worse. Injuries suck.

Braves fans hold out hope. We can be next year's Rays. Now to remove the Devil from Devil Braves.