The National League Wild Card race is heating up, with eight teams in contention and separated by just four and a half games in the standings. Among these teams are five below .500 squads, struggling with their flaws on a daily basis. Some of these teams are facing challenges due to their defensive shortcomings.
Team W L Win% WCGB
Braves 51 40 .560 4.5
Cardinals 48 44 .522 1
Padres 49 47 .510 0
Mets 46 45 .505 0.5
Diamondbacks 46 47 .495 1.5
Giants 45 48 .484 2.5
Pirates 44 48 .478 3
Cubs 44 49 .473 3.5
Reds 44 49 .473 3.5
As of now, the Diamondbacks are barely hanging onto hope in the Wild Card race. In a recent analysis of defensive metrics such as Defensive Runs Saved, Ultimate Zone Rating, Statcast’s Fielding Run Value (FRV), and catcher framing metrics, it’s clear that some teams are excelling defensively and on track for the playoffs, while others are struggling.
Instead of focusing on the worst defenses this season, I have chosen to highlight the teams that still have a chance at the postseason, especially as the July 30 trade deadline approaches. Upgrading their defenses could be a key factor in their potential success. Individual player data may vary across different defensive metrics, sometimes showing conflicting results in a player’s defensive abilities.
By aggregating these metrics and using standard deviation scores (z-scores), we can compare teams’ defensive performances relative to each other. The analysis of various metrics provides a broader understanding of where teams stand defensively and how they contribute to run prevention.
Through this methodology, we can identify notable trends in defensive performance across teams. Seven teams appear to be contenders based on their defensive strengths, while others are struggling to keep up. The Reds, for example, have several players with significant spreads between their defensive metrics, indicating inconsistencies in their fielding abilities.
Overall, focusing on defensive metrics can offer valuable insights into a team’s strengths and weaknesses as they compete for a spot in the playoffs.
