Back in our June 16th Stat of the Week, we gave the majority of the credit to the pitching staff for the winning ways of the Chicago White Sox. But we also gave some credit to small-ball because the White Sox were avoiding as many low-scoring games as they had the previous season, despite an offense that was far less explosive than the previous year. Let’s revisit that now that the season is over . . . and now that the Chicago White Sox are the World Champs.
The White Sox scored 865 runs in 2004, averaging 5.3 runs per game. In 2005, they were down to 741 runs (4.6 per game). Clearly, their offense was not as strong in 2005. But let’s look closer by looking at all games where the Sox scored just four runs or less.
In 2004, the ChiSox scored four runs or less in 81 games over the course of the season. Interestingly, that’s exactly half of their games. With their diminished offense in 2005 you would expect that they would have significantly more games where they scored four or less. Here’s the interesting stat: In 2005, the ChiSox scored four runs or less in 81 games over the course of the season. Let’s put those two sentences together:
In 2004, the ChiSox scored four runs or less in 81 games over the course of the season.
In 2005, the ChiSox scored four runs or less in 81 games over the course of the season.
Quite amazing, given the change in offense. This is where I have to give some credit to small ball. When the offense was struggling, the 2005 White Sox were able to turn to other offensive elements to generate runs. Not true of the 2004 version.
But here’s where pitching and defense come in. Let’s look at the team record in those games.
Chicago White Sox record in games where they scored four runs or less
That’s a 20 game difference! And that’s pitching and defense. The Sox improved from 83 wins in 2004 to 99 in ’05. The 20-game difference is bigger than the overall 16-game difference.
I still give some credit to small ball, but you have to say that pitching and defense was the key to the success of the 2005 White Sox.