When Giannis Antetokounmpo signed his five-year, $228-million supermax with the Milwaukee Bucks last week, Plan A for the Raptors was officially dead. It is unusual for a team to "move on" from a player they never actually had on their roster (and with no real proof they were ever even close to getting him), but the Raptors must come to terms with the fact that there is no superstar in their future. In this QSAO article, Jared Goodman breaks down the keys to success for the Raptors season without any superstar reinforcements in the near future.
Read MorePredicting the 2020 Ballon D'Or Winner using historical data /
France Football’s decision not to award a 2020 Ballon d'Or has come with much controversy. Many fans feel that 2020 standout Robert Lewandowski was robbed of the honour, while others debate Lionel Messi put up an admirable defence of the award. In this article, QSAO Analyst Ryan Reid formulates a predictive model in which he uses to determine which factors define a Ballon D’Or winner and ultimately predict the 2020 winner.
Read MoreQSAO’s Insights around the NHL: Offseason Edition – How two of the NHL's busiest franchises look ahead of the 2020-21 Season /
As we progress further into the offseason, the NHL landscape begins to settle. With so much uncertainty regarding various aspects of the game we once knew so well, teams need contingency plans to avoid taking a step back next season. Teams like the New York Islanders & Tampa Bay Lightning are already looking at cap overages with outstanding RFA contracts to sign, while franchises like the Colorado Avalanche boast an exemplary cap structure, allowing them to not only keep their contending roster intact but also add a few more high-value pieces to their lineup. In the second instalment of QSAO’s Insights Around the NHL: Offseason Edition, Constantine Maragos breaks down why the Colorado Avalanche are this offseason’s big winners and how the New Jersey Devils can best utilize their roster space.
Read MoreThe Call to the Hall: Determining which NHL defensemen are likely to make the Hockey Hall of Fame /
When it comes to the Hockey Hall of Fame, there are many factors that go into each selection every year. For defensemen, there are many tangible and intangible aspects of a player’s career that are meticulously assessed to determine their eligibility for the Hall of Fame. Building upon his model for forwards, QSAO Analyst Owen Holland has built a model to measure which NHL defensemen would make the Hall of Fame if they were to retire today. Using statistics and a logistic regression model, he has attempted to calculate each current NHL defensemen’s probability of receiving one of hockey’s greatest achievements; an induction into the Hockey Hall of Fame.
Read MoreQSAO’s NBA Draft Coverage: Should LaMelo Ball or Anthony Edwards go first overall? /
Offseason chaos has been a staple of the NBA over the past few years. This year, there is an overwhelming uncertainty surrounding the Minnesota Timberwolves’ first overall selection. The first pick has not been subject to speculation just 24 hours before the Draft in several years, and the Minnesota Timberwolves have not made any real indication of their plans for the selection. The two overwhelming favourites are, in the eyes of those close to the NBA, LaMelo Ball and Anthony Edwards. In this article, QSAO’s Jared Goodman breaks down the debate between Edwards & Ball, and what to expect in their NBA arrivals.
Read MoreDid the Rays misuse “Cybermetrics” when removing Blake Snell? /
By now you have probably heard that the Los Angeles Dodgers are the 2020 World Series Champions. In past World Series-clinching games, the defining moment is usually the result of a game-changing home run, a timely strikeout or clutch individual performance. Unfortunately, this year’s was all about the clutch performance that could have been. In this article, QSAO Analyst Nic Osanic breaks down the Rays’ decision to pull Blake Snell from Game Six of the World Series.
Read MoreQSAO’s Insights around the NHL: Offseason Edition – How the Montreal Canadiens & Vancouver Canucks have fared thus far /
If there is one thing we learned this year, it’s that things can change on a dime. Through the NHL Draft and Free Agency, we have seen rebuilds kickstarted, rosters reimagined, and of course, the ever-lasting goaltender carousel continues. With so many question marks heading into the season, NHL front offices have (mostly) done their best to prepare their teams for the upcoming 2021 NHL season, whenever that may be. With this much movement, we are looking at an all-new NHL. So, after a short break, QSAO’s Insights Around the NHL has returned for an offseason redux. In the first of two offseason editions, we look at how the Montreal Canadiens and Vancouver Canucks’ busy offseasons have gone so far.
Read MoreThrowing by the Numbers: Data-based pitching success stories /
As we’ve seen, there are many kinds of adjustments that pitchers can make to improve their performance. Some pitchers may change their arm slot, find new grips, or alter other elements of their delivery. In the end, there is a good chance that every pitcher can find subtle ways to improve no matter how good they already are. In the final instalment of The Art of Pitching, QSAO Analyst Nic Osanic investigates examples of pitchers decreasing the usage of their sinker and 2-Seamer in-favour of other pitches.
Read MoreQSAO’s NBA Finals Breakdown: Looking Ahead for the Heat After A Disastrous Game One /
The NBA’s shutdown on March 12th led to months of uncertainty and questions about the future of the 2019-20 season. With a wild summer of player movement in 2019, it was almost criminal to think that this new-look NBA may not crown a champion this season. Nevertheless, the NBA found a way. On Wednesday, September 30, nearly seven months after the shutdown, the NBA’s restart began its epic conclusion in Game One of the Finals between the Miami Heat and Los Angeles Lakers. In this article, QSAO’s Jared Goodman provides his 2020 NBA Finals breakdown after Game One.
Read MoreIntroducing your 2020 Stanley Cup Champions: How the Tampa Bay Lightning’s elite roster construction won them their elusive second Stanley Cup /
The Tampa Bay Lightning’s road to the Stanley Cup has been anything but easy. Whether it was a slew of injuries to key players or becoming victim of one of the biggest upsets in NHL history (after a record-tying season), there was always something in the way of their success, but when you build a team this good it warrants criticism. But now, they have quieted their doubters and are your 2020 NHL Stanley Cup Champions. In this article, Constantine Maragos looks at how the Tampa Bay Lightning’s championship-calibre roster won them their elusive second Stanley Cup.
Read MoreQSAO’s Insights around the NHL: The stars align in the bubble – Previewing the weirdest Stanley Cup Final ever /
Well, it is that time of year again; the NHL season has (finally) reached the Stanley Cups Finals. The Dallas Stars, representing the Western Conference, are set to face off against the Eastern Conference Champion Tampa Bay Lightning. This postseason was as unpredictable as ever, which is exactly how we expected them to be. Now, with the crowning of hockey’s ultimate prize looming, the latest edition of QSAO’s Insights Around the NHL breaks down the play of our Cup finalists thus far, and previews what will be an exciting Stanley Cup Final.
Read MoreThrowing by the Numbers: Other determinants of high 4-seam fastball success /
Previously, we discussed how pitch selection, location, and velocity can all impact the swing and miss ability of different pitches. We saw how velocity clearly makes a difference when it comes to the success of 4-Seam fastballs as long as the pitch is thrown high over the plate. However, guys like Aroldis Chapman, Noah Syndergaard, and Ken “100 Miles” Giles all throw triple-digit high heat but don’t appear on any of the high fastball success leaderboards in the previous articles. Why is that? Well, this likely means that there is more to fastball success than just location and velocity. So what other significant factors could we be missing?
Read MoreQSAO’s Insights around the NHL: Excitement and upsets define Round Two as we progress to the Conference Finals /
The Second Round of the NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs delivered its yearly dose of pure insanity; upsets, comebacks, incredible goaltending performances, what more could you ask for? The NHL Bubble has provided us with nothing short of memorable moments that will make these playoffs unforgettable. Now, with another round of the playoffs set to begin, the latest edition of QSAO’s Insights Around the NHL unpacks the madness that was Round Two and looks ahead to what you should expect in the 2020 Conference Finals.
Read MoreThrowing by the Numbers: A closer look at the impact of fastball velocity /
In QSAO Analyst Nic Osanic’s previous article, we discussed the importance of fastball location and how pitching in the high and low portions of the strike zone can yield dramatically different results. One of the strongest examples of this was shown through Gerrit Cole. There were other technicalities at play, but essentially, Cole’s new data-driven approach allowed him to make better use of his elite pitches by throwing them more, and in areas where they were more effective, turning him into arguably the best pitcher in baseball. Now, QSAO Analyst Nic Osanic analyzes the effect of proper pitch selection and location in the modern-day MLB.
Read MoreQSAO’s Insights around the NHL: New contenders emerge as the NHL Playoffs continue into Round Two /
The first round of the NHL’s COVID Cup has provided viewers with a plethora of exciting memories, including an abundance of goals and some monumental comebacks (or collapses rather). With that being said, these playoffs seem to be an unofficial changing of the guard around the league, as new stars are emerging before us. In the latest instalment of QSAO’s Insights Around the NHL, we look at how the playoffs have shaken out so far, and where they’re headed next.
Read MoreThrowing by the Numbers: An analytical take on the art of pitching /
Pitching philosophy in baseball has long been a game of conventional wisdom. This philosophy always seemed to make sense as the lower the pitch, the easier it is to swing over the top and hit it on the ground. As more data has become available in recent years, batters have started to adjust. As the MLB’s data-driven pitcher/batter pendulum constantly swings in response to such change, one must wonder how traditional attitudes towards fastball locations affect the modern-day MLB pitcher. In QSAO’s latest series of articles, analysts Nic Osanic takes a deeper look into the art of pitching.
Read MoreQSAO’s Insights around the NHL: The NHL is BACK – Recapping the most anticipated 10 days of hockey ever /
The first-ever Stanley Cup Qualifiers proved to be as exciting as the idea presented itself to be from the get-go. The first ten days of the NHL’s return were packed with exciting contests, major upsets, and as usual, the Leafs sorely disappointing their fanbase. Life is good.
Now without further ado, here is the latest instalment (and return) of QSAO’s Insights Around the NHL.
Read MoreThe Call to the Hall: Which NHL forwards are most likely to make the Hockey Hall of Fame? /
Being inducted into the Hall of Fame is one of the greatest honours a professional athlete can receive.
As an avid hockey fan, debating who does, and who doesn’t deserve to be in the Hall of Fame is one of my favourite pastimes. With this in mind, I wanted to create a model that takes various player statistics and uses them to calculate the probability of a player making the Hall of Fame if they were to retire today.
Read MoreRoad to the Show: Identifying factors that lead to success in the MLB /
As we look into the present state of our favourite team - the Toronto Blue Jays, we hope to use a form of this popular sabermetric analysis to find a silver lining amid both the team’s poor performance over the past seasons and the delayal of the whole MLB 2020 season due to the recent COVID-19 pandemic. Currently, the Blue Jays’ roster and farm system are stacked with rookies who show great potential - at least that’s what we, as fans, choose to believe. To confirm our hopes for the team’s future, we have chosen to determine which MLB Rookie stat serves as the greatest indicator for career success in the league. We will use Python and its BeautifulSoup, numpy, and pandas libraries to create models based on Machine Learning methods which will reveal important correlations, validate our results, and ultimately, be capable of predicting the future of the Toronto Blue Jays.
Read MorePredicting the winner of the Stanley Cup: How hard can it be? /
Predicting anything in sports is near impossible as factors such as injuries and human error prevent us from being able to create a consistently accurate model of what is and isn’t going to happen in the future. However, year after year there are endless new programs, breakthroughs that usually for a limited time are able to correctly predict to some measure a winner or star player… Upcoming in April (or what was supposed to be, postponed now because of COVID-19) is the NHL playoffs, a fan favourite fantasy sport among sports fans. A very big strategy in these fantasy leagues are to pick players from the NHL team you think is going to win the Stanley Cup. So, I tasked myself with creating an NHL predictor program using Python with the help of Numpy and Pandas, to predict which team in the NHL will become Stanley Cup winners, to give myself that edge and crown myself victorious over my peers.
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