From last night's SportsCenter, following Navy's crazy win over Pitt (Wannstedt and Cavanaugh are the worst duo imaginable to run a team): The team with the lowest batting average in the league, had the best record in the NL.  "Go figure."  Fine then Shtu, I accept your challenge.

In fact, half the people with an Internet connection could figure as well.  But you're a Tar Heel, and I'm a lowly Terp, so you're probably right.  This conundrum is totally unexplainable.  I would have to liken it to other unexplainable phenomena such as: sunrises, the pen falling off my desk, thunder, and many more.

Oh wait, eureka: rotation of the Earth, gravity, colliding air masses, and antiquated statistics.  I'm a flippin' genius.  Look skeptics, I'm not saying batting average is uselss.  You can compare one to the other, and get a FEEL for the better player.  But what if I told you that there were BETTER metrics?  Again, BA isn't useless.  That antique rocking chair could be used in your office, but the ergonomically designed chair from Ikea is BETTER. 

So I am to figure out why higher batting averages don't equate to wins, or in the Diamondbacks case, why lower batting averages don't equate to losses.  Well, even by "newer" metrics like OBP, the D-backs were still at the bottom of the league.  That said, they had a better slugging percentage than 7 teams in the NL.  Now factor in the following: 2nd best stolen base percentage, 6th best at not grounding into double plays, and 2nd fewest sacrifice bunts. 

Why is that important?  Basically, all those types of outs are not included in the batting average calculation.  By being one of the best teams at avoiding outs, as a whole, they were able to make the playoffs.  It should also be noted that the 2nd best road pitching in the league offset some offensive shortcomings, which allowed them to win just enough games.  Let's remember, I'm not trying to explain how this team won 100 games.  I only had to explain 90 wins.

Hey!  High EqA, big innings, and good pitching.  Sounds like some of the leading principles of a book I once read.  So there you go Shtu.  Avoid outs with runners on base.  Don't put runners on base.  You win.