After another disastrous postseason effort from the Leafs, we take a look at some of the moves GM Kyle Dubas should be looking at in a summer with all eyes on him. Known as an GM who takes pride in analytics, we try to match Dubas and the Leafs with difference-makers for the 2021-22 season.
Read MorePredicting the Premier League standings through text analytics /
The Premier League is arguably the most popular soccer league in the world. Each season, the main point of contention is which team comes out on top after 38 games. In our last article, Learning the soccer transfer market through text analytics, we explored a facet of using text data to provide insights in soccer. This time around, we pivot our research to expand how text data may play a role in an evolving analytics scene. In this article, we use text data to predict the 2020-21 Premier League standings.
Read MoreBreaking down the top rookies of the 2020-21 NHL season — Part Two /
The 2020-21 NHL season has posed various challenges for its players, few of which impact anyone more than members of this year's rookie crop. In this QSAO series, we look at this year’s crop of the NHL rookie race — who’s excelling, who’s not, and who’s surprised us so far this season. In the series’ piece, we’ll look at some of the NHL’s freshmen from North and West Divisions.
Read MoreBreaking down the top rookies of the 2020-21 NHL season — Part One /
The 2020-21 NHL season has posed various challenges for its players, few of which impact anyone more than members of this year's rookie crop. In this QSAO series, we look at this year’s crop of the NHL rookie race — who’s excelling, who’s not, and who’s surprised us so far this season. In this first piece, we’ll look at some of the NHL’s freshmen from Central and East Divisions.
Read MoreDoes the MLB Home Run Derby affect second half performance? /
As the halfway mark of the MLB season rolls around, baseball and sports fans alike look forward each year to the ever-entertaining evening that is the Home Run Derby. The goal is simple; hit the most home runs. Despite the widespread celebration of the event, some critics bring up the so-called “Curse of the Home Run Derby” every year. In this article, we will determine if there is any truth to this myth or if we can simply enjoy watching our favourite players participate without worry.
Read MorePredicting the NFL Quarterback Carousel: Free Agents and Trade Targets /
With veterans potentially on the move, there is no shortage of options for teams looking to improve under center. In Part One of this series, we took a look at the NFL's quarterback-hungry teams and the probability they go in a new direction this offseason while assigning many of them some of the draft's best quarterbacks. Now, we'll take a look at the trade and free-agent candidates.
Read MorePredicting the NFL Quarterback Carousel: Team Fits and Draft Targets /
Though the NFL game has changed over the years, this postseason was a reminder that quarterback play reigns supreme. Already, this offseason’s deals alone would make for an unusually active NFL quarterback carousel, remarkably, the league is just getting started. Over the next two articles, we’ll take a look at the candidates and try to find the best matches amongst an unprecedented amount of job-openings. In this article, we’ll break down which teams are in line for a change and which teams could replenish their QB ranks at the 2021 NFL Draft.
Read MoreQSAO's Super Bowl 55 In-Depth Breakdown /
Over the past two week, we’ve released an individual preview for both the Kansas City Chiefs and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Now that we’ve released an in-depth analysis on both teams, it’s time to look at how they match up. In the third instalment of QSAO’s Super Bowl Preview, we look at the Chiefs-Buccaneers matchup, their keys to the game, and some insights that will help you make your bets for the Super Bowl.
Read MoreQSAO's Super Bowl 55 Preview: Tampa Bay Buccaneers /
The stage is set for Super Bowl 55. The Kansas City Chiefs are set to defend their 2020 Lombardi Trophy against none other than Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. In this QSAO article, analyst Jack Bleweis analyzes the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ season; their strengths, their weaknesses, their wins, and their losses — and how they look heading into Super Bowl 55.
Read MoreQSAO's Super Bowl 55 Preview: Kansas City Chiefs /
The stage is set for Super Bowl 55. The Kansas City Chiefs are set to defend their 2020 Lombardi Trophy against none other than Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. In this QSAO article, analyst Jack Bleweis analyzes the Kansas City Chiefs’ season; their strengths, their weaknesses, their wins, and their losses — and how they look heading into Super Bowl 55.
Read MoreLearning the soccer transfer market through text analytics /
With soccer’s January transfer window set to open in a matter of days, rumours about potential blockbuster transfers are already brewing. Given the chaotic nature of this past summer’s transfer window amidst a global pandemic, there was no shortage of uncertainty and speculation in the market. In this QSAO article, analyst Rylen Sampson uses text data from various soccer blogs to determine the legitimacy of various transfer sagas from this past summer and makes predictions for January’s transfer window.
Read MoreQSAO’s Insights around the NBA: After missing out on Giannis, the Raptors shift to Plan B /
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.
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