Run differential is a pretty interesting tool. In a nutshell, run differential is the difference between the amount of runs that a team scores than the amount of runs that a team gives up. Actually, scrap the nutshell, that’s exactly what it is. Run differential, while not entirely ideal on its own, gives a pretty good look into the relative strength of a team. The reasoning behind this is that run differential includes almost all necessary parameters in determining success: Offense (runs scored), defense (runs allowed), pitching (runs allowed), and timely hitting (runs scored.)
So, without further ado, here are the teams in baseball ranked by their run differential:
30. Houston Astros, -103 (5th place, AL West)
29. Miami Marlins, -87 (5th place, NL East)
28. New York Mets, -53 (4th place, NL East)
27. Milwaukee Brewers, -48 (4th place, NL Central)
26. Los Angeles Dodgers, -43 (5th place, NL West)
25. Seattle Mariners, -42 (3rd place, AL West)
24. Philadelphia Phillies, -42 (3rd place, NL East)
23. Toronto Blue Jays, -35 (5th place, AL East)
22. Chicago White Sox, -33 (5th place, AL Central)
21. Washington Nationals, -32 (2nd place, NL East)
20. Minnesota Twins, -25 (4th place, AL Central)
19. Los Angeles Angels, -24 (4th place, AL West)
18. San Diego Padres, -24 (4th place, NL West)
17. Chicago Cubs, -17 (5th place, NL Central)
16. San Francisco Giants, -16 (3rd place, NL West)
15. Kansas City Royals, +4 (3rd place, AL Central)
14. Cleveland Indians, +5 (2nd place, AL Central)
13. New York Yankees, +14 (2nd place, AL East)
12. Baltimore Orioles, +15 (3rd place, AL East)
11. Arizona Diamondbacks, +19 (1st place, NL West) [worst division leading team]
10. Pittsburgh Pirates, +20 (T-2nd place, NL Central)
9. Tampa Bay Rays, +30 (4th place, AL East)
8. Texas Rangers, +41 (1st place, AL West)
7. Colorado Rockies, +41 (2nd place, NL West)
6. Oakland A’s, +43 (2nd place, AL West)
5. Cincinnati Reds, +64 (T-2nd place, NL Central)
4. Atlanta Braves, +64 (1st place, NL East)
3. Boston Red Sox, +77 (1st place, AL East)
2. Detroit Tigers, +82 (1st place, AL Central)
1. St. Louis Cardinals, +105 (1st place, NL Central)