Park Predictors - Weeks 16-17
Examining the park influence for hitters, pitchers as you prepare for the weeks ahead
In Park Predictors, we look at favorable matchups for hitters and pitchers based on where they are playing this week and the MLB DW Park Factors, which look at four years' worth of data for MLB ballparks.
Here’s a look at the next two weeks (July 6-19) to cover the half week after the All-Star break:
HITTERS
Cincinnati Reds
This should be a good week for pitchers’ park overall. So, I’m not sure there can be a better nine-game streak of games for hitters that are not all home than this for the Reds. Six games at home vs. Phillies and Cubs, and three games in Coors after the All-Star break
The only thing holding back a big recommendation is the fact the Reds have not hit well at Great American Ballpark. The best park for left-handed home runs and second best for right-handed home runs for the past five seasons, the Reds are still a much better home run hitting team at home (1.39 per game at home vs. 1.07 on the road). But everything else is much worse at home: runs (4.05 at home, 4.31 on road, .210 batting average vs. .242).
The Reds hitters have also been much stronger against left-handed pitching this year compared to right-handed. That bodes well for this coming week, as four of the six starters for the Phillies and Cubs will be lefthanded.