A Thread on Chemistry

[jsbearr]

1 minute ago, theocean said:

I think it's pretty difficult to assign a value to "chemistry" because you're assuming that all "chemistry" is the same. It's difficult to assign a numerical value to something qualitative.

That being said, it definitely plays a role. It is a game played by humans. To think that there isn't a human element to the game would be silly.

We are surrounded in everyday life by these successful models.  Our own brains work predominantly on qualitative based modeling.  This approach is fairly valid.

[FuManchu]

None of them were in the top half of their respective leagues in runs.  By and large they got about 130 starts from the top 4 pitchers and didn't have to scrape around to fill the rest. They avoided early deficits somewhat better than average, held leads better than most teams (collectively 321-51 when ahead going into the 6th, .863 win percentage), and did a good amount better than most when tied going into the later stages of games (78-54 when even going into the 6th, .591 win percentage).

Mostly effective bullpens probably had a decent say in the over achieving.  The Orioles had 5 relievers with more than 55 IP and ERA+ of 160 or more.  The Angels and D'backs had 4 like that. The Padres had one of Hoffman's best years and got 23 wins from the next 4 relievers. Before the era of everyone hitting HRs or striking out, being able to pick up a ball reasonably well also probably played into 'chemistry.'

[now]

Uh-oh, now we have to catch up to you-know-who...

https://www.mlb.com/news/yankees-hypnotized-at-spring-training

[Larry18]

Don't workplace studies usually show that happy employees are more productive than employees that aren't? And isn't that in a way a chemistry issue?

[owknows]

Call it chemistry...  call it "too young to know that you're not supposed to be flying yet"...  call it attitude...  call it the psychology of team sports...  doesn't really matter. Every now and then the stars align and a team full of young talent comes together and gels..  significantly outperforming expectations. Just as (and perhaps more often) a "dream team" full of prima donas fails to gel, and significantly under-performs.

The Orioles have a lot of interesting possibilities if even a few things go right. Chris Davis has always been one of the streakiest bats ever. If he can manage a .250 30HR season, and a few pitchers deliver, and one or two young position players get caught up in the excitement, the Orioles could outperform expectations. Significantly

It isn't likely... but I wouldn't be shocked by it at all.

[now]

6 hours ago, Larry18 said:

Don't workplace studies usually show that happy employees are more productive than employees that aren't? And isn't that in a way a chemistry issue?

For sure, so many potential angles of advantage... Including hypnosis, according to the MFYs.