Leyland in Question

Jim Leyland recently said that several players are underachieving and need to step up. Maybe Jim should also place himself in this category.

There is are two important statistics and how they interact that lead us to questioning Jimmy.

Stat number 1. 

DETROIT TEAM BATTING AVERAGE

.263

6th in MLB

Stat number 2. 

DETROIT RUNS SCORED

241

15th in MLB

Sure, timely hitting by the batters has much to do with this. But let's not leave Leyland off the hook here. Runs produced vs. Batting Average is a key indicator to how a manager is doing. (Timing of hit and runs, and overall base running strategy is set by the manager.)

On the flip side, look at how the Indians are doing here.

Stat number 1. 

INDIANS TEAM BATTING AVERAGE

.250

17th in MLB

Stat number 2. 

INDIANS RUNS SCORED

246

11th in MLB

The Indians and Tigers have each scored approximately the same amount of runs and given up the same amount of runs.

The only difference... 5 wins. Props to Manny Acta.

Do these embarrassing stats fall on Leyland? Again... Not completely. But these realities should also not be ignored.