Cleveland Indians: Which World Series run had the better team?

Cleveland Indians World Series Runs: Team Balance

In talking about team balance, there’s few stats that give a clear indication that are also comparable on the same level. The closest might be runs produced and runs allowed. However, given that the 1995 season had 18 fewer games, we’ll turn those into averages.

Once again, the 1995 season comes out on top in terms of run-averages for the season. During that campaign, the Tribe averaged 5.8 runs per game while allowing just 4.2, outscoring their opponent by an average of 1.6 runs over the course of the season.

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The 2016 season’s pitching staff matched the performance put together in 1995, also giving up an average of 4.2 runs per game. However, where the two seasons see a separation is the offense. The 2016 squad scored just 4.8 runs per game, a full run less on average than in 1995. So, while the pitching was on the same level, the hitting couldn’t keep up.

As for the 1997 season, they land somewhere in the middle. The offense was electric, averaging 5.4 runs per game, only 0.3 off the pace of the 1995 team. Where the team struggled was pitching. In total, the team allowed almost as much as they scored, giving up 5.1 runs per game for only a +0.3 margin for the season.

Once again, this tally goes to the 1995 Cleveland Indians. Not only did they tie the 2016 team for the lowest runs given up on average, but they also averaged the most runs scored among the three teams to create a +1.6 scoring margin for the season.