ATLANTA — Baseball is the sport changed the most by analytics. To soften the blow of cold numbers, MLB has rewritten rules. Relievers must pitch to a minimum of three batters, meaning no more LOOGYS. (Left-handed one-out guys.) In the new season, defenses can’t station more than two infielders on either side of second base, meaning no more lopsided shifts. Oh, and we’ve stopped measuring hitters by batting average and pitchers by wins.
Analytics changed basketball, too. James Harden became James Harden by taking only two kinds of shots – the step-back 3 and a layup. Repeat after me: The least efficient shot is the long 2-pointer.
This isn’t to say data-crunchers have left football untouched. This Super Bowl offers a case study. The teams that finished first and second in points and yards are your AFC and NFC champs, though their methodology differs. The Chiefs led in passing. The Eagles were ninth in passing, fifth in rushing, which isn’t to say Philadelphia is more conventional.
