Some ideas: Bases Created Average (BCA) by team

Oakland Athletics hit 227 HRs in 2018, 3rd in MLB

A few weeks ago, I briefly explained Total Bases Created (TBC) and Bases Created Average (BCA) and listed players that ranked top 50 in the 2019 season. This time, I would like to see if this idea could apply to the team performance.

My idea is simple. Using the data from 2015 to 2019, I listed the top 10 teams on BCA to see whether these teams were in the playoff.

2015
Team	BCA	Playoff
Blue Jays	0.504	Yes
Astros	0.482	Yes
Yankees	0.472	Yes
Dodgers	0.467	Yes
Rockies	0.466	X
Tigers	0.463	X
Orioles	0.462	X
Rangers	0.462	Yes
Red Sox	0.459	X
Diamondbacks	0.456	X

Playoff: 5/10

The Blue Jays scored 891 runs in the 2015 season, leading in the major league. The New York Yankees scored 764 runs, ranking 2nd. The Rangers ranked 3rd with 751 runs. The Astros made the playoffs for the first time since 2005, and the first time since moving to the American League. These four teams were in the top 10 on BCA.

The Dodgers scored only 667 runs in 2015. However, the team hit 187 home runs (1st in NL) and drew 563 walks (2nd in NL). These made them on the top 10.

2016
Team	BCA	Playoff
Red Sox	0.509	Yes
Rockies	0.497	X
Cubs	0.491	Yes
Cardinals	0.490	X
Orioles	0.486	Yes
Blue Jays	0.485	Yes
Tigers	0.484	X
Mariners	0.478	X
Indians	0.477	Yes
Rangers	0.476	Yes

Playoff: 6/10

Boston Red Sox scored 878 runs in the 2016 season and also collected 1598 hits, both leading the major league. The Chicago Cubs were really patient, they walked 656 times in the 2016 season and also were hit by a pitch 96 times, both ranking 1st in the big league. The Orioles hit 253 home runs in 2016, ranking 1st in MLB. Meanwhile, Blue Jays also hit more than 200 home runs.

2017
Team	BCA	Playoff
Astros	0.520	Yes
Indians	0.502	Yes
Yankees	0.500	Yes
Dodgers	0.497	Yes
Diamondbacks	0.496	Yes
Cubs	0.495	Yes
Nationals	0.494	Yes
Athletics	0.488	X
Twins	0.487	Yes
Rockies	0.487	Yes

Playoff: 9/10

9 teams on the top 10 chart clinched the postseason berths. Astros, Yankees, Rockies, Cubs, Nationals, Indians, Twins and Diamondbacks all scored more than 800 runs in the 2017 season. The Los Angeles Dodgers scored only 770 runs, however, the team walked 649 times, the most in the league.

Athletics did not play in the playoff this season, but it already indicated that the team’s offense could be good.

2018
Team	BCA	Playoff
Yankees	0.507	Yes
Red Sox	0.504	Yes
Dodgers	0.498	Yes
Athletics	0.492	Yes
Indians	0.486	Yes
Rockies	0.481	Yes
Astros	0.479	Yes
Nationals	0.477	X
Blue Jays	0.477	X
Brewers	0.475	Yes

Playoff: 8/10

Red Sox, Yankees, Indians, Athletics and Dodgers all scored more than 800 runs in the 2018 season. The Astros scored 797 runs and the Rockies scored 780 runs, they are not far from 800.

2019
Team	BCA	Playoff
Astros	0.546	Yes
Twins	0.538	Yes
Yankees	0.537	Yes
Dodgers	0.522	Yes
Red Sox	0.514	X
Braves	0.507	Yes
Nationals	0.506	Yes
Cubs	0.506	X
Athletics	0.504	Yes
Brewers	0.496	Yes

Playoff: 8/10

Yankees and Twins both hit more than 300 home runs. Astros, Brewers, Braves and Dodgers all had more than 600 walks last season.

From the last 5 seasons, teams that led in BCA mostly clinched playoff berths. However, it is not that difficult to understand that pitching is also an important part in a long season. For example, the Rockies did score a lot of runs in 2015 and 2016, 737 runs in 2015 and 845 runs in 2016, both led in the National League. But the team did not clinch a spot in the postseason since the Rockies’ pitchers allowed more than 800 runs in these 2 seasons. Meanwhile, it is obvious that teams in the American League usually are on the top of the chart since there are designated hitters in the American League. It will be worth noting the effect of the universal DH rule. Besides, it is highly possible to see National League teams score more runs than American League teams in this shortened season.