In all fairness, it is likely that the Ms offense is skewing a point or two high and the ERA a point or two low, because the park effects equation is based on PAST results.
That means it is going to take a little while for the new park effects to get measured and the adjustment to be properly included in the final + result.
That said ... the results from the guys who played in last years park and this year's park by and large don't indicate that the change is "drastic".
Seager is hitting a little better ... but that isn't unusual for young players and his current pace is to finish around 20 HRs.
Smoak is getting more HRs.
Saunders, after a quick start, is slumping is like Smoak is on a slower pace of HRs.
Clearly, Ryan, Ackley and Montero didn't get any major boost from the park reconfig.
That said, the current bbref park factors for the Ms THIS YEAR are: 93 / 94
For the most recent 3 year period ... 90 / 91
So, maybe the "correct" number is closer to 95 OPS+ and 93 ERA+. The simple truth is that teams like Oakland and Seattle are going to have lower run totals (both sides) than teams like Boston and Texas on a consistent basis. And in those rare occasions when a team like Boston or Texas is allowing the fewest runs, (Texas is currently at 188 earned runs allowed, 3.61 runs per game, best in the AL), it is ASTOUNDING. But, that's where ERA+ and OPS+ help show exceptional from pedestrian behavior. Texas' ERA+ of 133 is off the charts good. And they will probably give back a chunk of that when the warm weather jet stream hits Arlington later this year.
The trick is to not only look at one side of the park effect.
Seattle is major pitchers park. Therefore, offensive numbers are suppressed. So, an .800 OPS is actually more impressive for a Mariner than an .800 OPS for a Ranger.
Problem is ... when the park is helping, some people want to ignore that edge. Felix is a great pitcher. No question. But, by ERA he ranks 4th among active hurlers, while by ERA+ he ranks 7th. Oswalt, Santana and Halladay all jump past Felix after adjusting for home parks. That's actually a very reasonable adjustment. Understanding that Seattle suppresses offense, while Houston has been a hitter heaven ever since they left the Astrodome makes perfect sense that one guy is getting help and the other is pitching "up hill".
(I just wonder how many people are aware Adam Wainwright is actually 3rd on both the ERA and ERA+ lists among active pitchers - only trailing Marino and Kershaw ... but I digress).
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