September 2015
Melky Cabrera
9/15: vs Oakland Athletics: L 17-6: HRD (0.9565)
9/18: @ Cleveland Indians: L 12-1: HRD (0.8648)
9/23: @ Detroit Tigers: L 7-4: HRD (0.9565)
Not only did the White Sox lose all three games Cabrera homered in, but Cabrera’s home runs were not deemed valuable by the formula. His HRD for the month of September was 2.7778, and this is below one per home run (since he only hit three total). His DPA was poor as well, coming in at 0.9259. While Cabrera wasn’t helped due to poor protection in Garcia and Trayce Thompson, it also didn’t help his cause in other situations (count and score).
Now let’s look at Kris Bryant’s final month of 2015.
September 2015
Kris Bryant
9/2: vs Cincinnati Reds: L 7-4: HRD (1.3420)
9/6: vs Arizona D-Backs: W 6-4: HRD (1.1213)
9/11: @ Philadelphia Phillies: W 5-1: HRD (1.1068)
9/19: vs St. Louis Cardinals: W 5-4: HRD (0.6899)
9/22: vs Milwaukee Brewers: W 4-0: HRD: (0.6899)
For the first time in this study, a HRD came in just below one per home run (others were much farther below one). Bryant’s HRD was 4.9499, meaning his DPA would be virtually one which it was, checking in at 0.9899. Unlike the White Sox, the Cubs played well when Bryant hit a home run, as they went 4-1 in those such games.
The main issue that hurt Bryant in this month (HRD wise), is the fact Rizzo was protecting him. On top of that, four of his five home runs came before the seventh inning started. The score was close for the most part, as there were no blowout situations.
Neither Cabrera nor Bryant left the premises in October 2015 during the regular season.
Next: Cabrera vs. Bryant: Multi-Home Run Games