Welcome
50th Issue! Tell 50 of your closest sports dorks for me, k thanks.
Are you a member of a salty fanbase? We start with an analysis of NBA postgame chatter to determine which fanbase is full of NaCl. Next, six Jokić MVP-worthy stats. Baseball doubleheader leading with the Blue Jays shifting tons, and a pretty visualization to communicate what Vertical Approach Angle is. Finally, ending with a statistical approach to how changing 3+ players in MLS impacts winning.
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This Week's Lineup
Saltiest NBA fanbase by Analyzing Reddit Posts
The average level of positivity vs. negativity — often referred to as the “valence” — was scored using VADER, a language processing tool designed for online settings. These positivity/negativity scores were linked to game outcomes, allowing us to see how each fanbase reacts to wins and losses. Stereotypes exist for a reason.
Jokić Second-Straight NBA MVP, 6 Stats to Know
Here's a teaser for one of them: Jokić is the only player in NBA history to record 2,000 points, 1,000 rebounds, and 500 assists in a single season.
The Blue Jays Shift Versus Righties
They shifted against righties in 11.3% of opportunities last season, a rate that has skyrocketed to 66.4% this year.
A Visualized Primer on Vertical Approach Angle (VAA)
VAA, a function of velocity and acceleration in all three dimensions, is largely a product of these physical specifications: Release speed (a.k.a. velocity), Pitch height, and Release point. Some beautiful visualizations are included to help understand it better.
The Costalas-Hunsicker Theorem: Determining Soccer Squad Rotation
How does changing 3+ players impact the starting lineup?
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