FIP and xFIP Explained: Judging Pitchers Beyond ERA
ERA blames pitchers for things they don't control. FIP and xFIP focus on what they do. The formulas, the FIP constant, and how to judge a pitcher beyond runs allowed.
Category
Stat Explainers
The metrics, demystified. Plain-English explainers of the numbers that actually describe baseball — what each stat measures, the formula behind it, and when to reach for it.
xBA, xSLG, and xwOBA: A Practical Guide to Expected Stats
xBA, xSLG, and xwOBA strip luck out of the box score. What expected stats measure, where they fail, and how to spot over- and under-performers.
Why WAR Is Calculated Differently on Different Sites
Baseball-Reference and FanGraphs publish different WAR for the same player. Exactly why the two versions diverge — and how to use both without losing your mind.
Barrel Rate Explained: The Statcast Metric That Predicts Power
Not all hard contact is equal. How Statcast defines a 'barrel,' why barrel rate predicts power better than exit velocity alone, and how to read it.
OPS+ vs. wRC+: What's the Difference and Which Should You Use?
Two park- and league-adjusted hitting stats, two scales, one common confusion. When OPS+ and wRC+ disagree — and which one belongs in your analysis.
What Is wOBA? Why It Beats Batting Average
Batting average treats every hit the same. Weighted On-Base Average doesn't. A plain-English guide to wOBA — the formula, the weights, and why it's a better one-number snapshot of a hitter.