2/25/2022

Bases loaded


A few months ago, I listened to a podcast show and a reporter indicated that a team did a great job when bases were loaded last year. Looking back at the 2021 season, some teams did perform very well when bases were loaded. Additionally, some players did collect many RBI with the bases loaded.

Runs Batted In (Bases Loaded, 2021)

Team

RBI

Dodgers

168

Astros

150

Phillies

135

Rays

133

Brewers

130

Giants

126

Braves

120

Padres

119

Mariners

117

Tigers

116


The Los Angeles Dodgers won 106 games in 2021. They definitely know how to seize opportunities to score more runs. When the bases were loaded, the Dodgers had 54 hits and collected 168 RBI. The Dodgers crushed 11 home runs with the bases loaded.


The Astros won the AL West title last year. During the regular season, the Astros had 43 hits with the bases loaded and they collected 150 RBI. Moreover, the Phillies had 43 hits when the bases were loaded last season. The Phillies collected 135 RBI with bases loaded.


The Rays won 100 games in 2021 and it was the first 100-win season in franchise history. The Rays scored 857 runs last year and set the new franchise record as well. With the bases loaded, the Rays had 47 hits, most in the AL. The Rays collected 133 RBI when the bases were loaded and that’s why they set a new franchise record in runs.


Additionally, the Brewers had 130 RBI with the bases loaded. However, they only had 36 hits and had a batting average of .226 when the bases were loaded. Furthermore, the Giants won 107 games in 2021 and they had 50 hits with the bases loaded.


Now, let’s look at players.


Runs Batted In (Bases Loaded, 2021)

Player

RBI

Miguel Cabrera

25

Teoscar Hernandez

Lourdes Gurriel Jr.

23

Luis Urias

Jose Abreu

21

Matt Olson

Jose Altuve

20

Kyle Tucker

Andrew McCutchen

19

Josh Bell

18

Bryan Reynolds

Jared Walsh


Last season, Miguel Cabrera and Teoscar Hernandez each collected 25 RBI with the bases loaded. Cabrera had 10 hits and Hernandez had 9 hits when bases were loaded. By far, Cabrera had 6 grand slams in his career. Teoscar Hernandez had 2 grand slams so far in his career and both were hit last season.


Lourdes Gurriel Jr. crushed 4 grand slams last season and he collected 23 RBI with the bases loaded. In the meantime, Luis Urias had 23 RBI with the bases loaded as well. Urias had 6 hits and drew 4 walks when the bases were loaded in 2021.


Moreover, the 2020 AL MVP Jose Abreu had 2 grand slams last year and collected 21 RBI with the bases loaded last year. Abreu had 4 grand slams in his career so far. And, Matt Olson had 21 RBI as well. By far, Olson had 4 grand slams in his career as well.


Finally, Jose Altuve crushed 3 grand slams last year and he already 6 grand slams by far in his career. Furthermore, Brett Phillips and C.J. Cron each had 3 grand slams in 2021.


In order to win a baseball game, a team has to outscore its opponent. When the bases are loaded, a team has opportunities to create more runs. Last year, the Dodgers and the Astros did take many opportunities when bases were loaded. However, the Nationals were only hitting .198 with the bases loaded last year. Nonetheless, there was something interesting. With the bases loaded, the Texas Rangers had a batting average of .301, but they collected 65 RBI, fewest among 30 MLB teams.

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