[InterceptPoint]

They have to lose 50 games in a row to hit .500, so that’s how it comes about.
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That’s actually a pretty good argument. Of course it sort of ignores the fact that there aren’t 50 games left so it is sort of meaningless.

But, in fact, I believe you have it right. You understand how baseball folks think. I obviously don’t.

[Svartalfiar]

That’s actually a pretty good argument. Of course it sort of ignores the fact that there aren’t 50 games left so it is sort of meaningless.

But, in fact, I believe you have it right. You understand how baseball folks think. I obviously don’t.

Maybe think about it this way - take the lower number and even it out (ignore the total games). So with an 84-34 record, even .500 would be 34-34. And there's a 50 game difference between 84 and 34.

[Svartalfiar]

You understand how baseball folks think. I obviously don’t.

It took me a while to get it as a kid. How can a team be half a game or 3.5 games behind? It's because each game has a win and a loss. So when two teams play (say ten games), each of their win-losses increase by 1. (Say both have a 5-5 record.) But, when one of those teams play a different team, only they get a win/loss. (6-5, other team is still 5-5) So now if the original two teams play, they CAN'T be even - one team will stay ahead or the other team will go ahead. The example will either go from [5-5 and 6-5] to [6-5 and 6-6], or [5-6 and 7-5]. They have to play a different team in order for the records to line back up.