RPI takes into consideration strength of schedule. In order for us to have such a high RPI we had to play out of our minds. Taking SOS into consideration in addition to RPI is further stacking the deck in favor of the big conferences.
RPI takes into consideration strength of schedule. In order for us to have such a high RPI we had to play out of our minds. Taking SOS into consideration in addition to RPI is further stacking the deck in favor of the big conferences.
Absurdity to prove a point;
Lets say a college team (goes undefeated) plays and beats every team in the MLB for the first half of their season.
#1 RPI in the country! #1 Strength of schedule.
Second half of their season they play and beat the same number of High School teams.
Final result slightly above average RPI, and a very middle of the road SOS.
Neither stick measured how good they really were.
Brian…. What exactly is the formula for SOS? I am starting to comprehend how RPI works (finally after many tutorials from you) but still don't know what all goes in to SOS. Also, why does it vary so greatly between Warren Nolan and Boyd's world?
Each has a different formula. If you go to Boyd's World, he's done a lot of work on the site and you can now go to each team's page. On there you can see his SOS formula:
Strength of Schedule = OWP / 2 + OOWP / 4
http://www.boydsworld.com/sa/louisiana-lafayette.html
Warren Nolan's looks to be closer to the OWP but not exactly the same. I can't find their formula.
Thanks. In fact... thinking back to Sunday... UL (Compton) scored the first run on a bases loaded walk. But Compton also got on base by walking after a LONG at bat that had to be more than 10 pitches. He just kept fouling them off... Eventually the pitcher is going to miss...
Compton has been having some very good at-bats lately. Don't underestimate his importance to this team. He has been a catalyst and a hero on several occasions this year. He doesn't have the highest avg but he is #3 in rbi on our team and arguably the best bunter.
edit: he's also made our stellar infield look even better by saving them on some tough throws
I think the easiest way to think about SOS in the context of the RPI is to think of it as a weighted percentage on the same scale as WP (unlike the way Boyd presents it). That is
SOS = ((2*OWP) + OOWP)/3
The above constitutes three of the four parts of the RPI formula with WP being the fourth.
As far as the way Boyd presents it, he simply chooses to sum the following
RPI = WP/4 + OWP/2 + OOWP/4
instead of
RPI = (WP + (2*OWP) + OOWP)/4
As stated above, I choose to represent WP, OWP, and OOWP on the same scale and then divide by 4 to obtain the RPI. It is easier to compare the contributions of the components relative to each other.
As far as Warren Nolan's site is concerned, he calculates it the same way I do. Except that he does not expose OWP and OOWP. He only presents the final SOS.
Also keep in mind
- Boyd's World does not account for tie games nor does he account for RPI penalties that are assessed
- Warren Nolan does not account for RPI penalties that are assessed (thus will not exactly match the official RPI) and does have mistakes on a daily basis concerning score results (not every team but it affects nearly every team to some degree).
Brian
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