A major storyline in this year’s World Series clash between the New York Yankees and Los Angeles Dodgers has been New York’s poor baserunning, a weakness that’s either kept them from scoring or resulted in costly outs. This issue has amplified their offensive struggles, enabling Los Angeles to gain a 3-1 lead in the series.
MLB.com’s Yankees reporter, Bryan Hoch, explored broadcaster John Sterling’s claim that the Yankees “run the bases like drunks” and found that New York indeed had MLB’s worst baserunning metrics this season, tallying a league-low -16.9 baserunning runs.
Meanwhile, the Houston Astros, ranking third-worst at -12.7 baserunning runs, also struggled despite their strong offense. Statcast data reveals they were particularly inefficient at advancing runners on batted balls, which diminished their ability to convert on scoring opportunities, even with a high batting average in key situations.
In contrast, the Detroit Tigers exemplified effective baserunning, as seen in their playoff win over the Astros. With a regular-season total of +11 baserunning runs, the Tigers’ skill on the bases highlighted the importance of maximizing run production, a factor in their Wild Card Series upset.
For the Astros, baserunning challenges may stem from an aging roster that lacks the speed and agility for efficient baserunning, with only Jake Meyers, 28, and Jeremy Pena, 27, earning positive baserunning ratings from Statcast. Coaching decisions might have also been a factor; the Astros let go of third base coach Gary Pettis, opening the door for Tony Perezchica from the Diamondbacks—MLB’s top baserunning team in 2024, with +13 runs—to lead a strategic overhaul.
To improve, the Astros could benefit from specialized training sessions and introducing younger, faster players to the lineup. Late-season additions like Ben Gamel and Jason Heyward provided modest improvement, signaling that a mix of targeted acquisitions, internal development, and coaching adjustments could significantly enhance Houston’s baserunning for 2025.
While baserunning alone won’t make or break a season, it remains key for run efficiency. By refining this area, the Astros can better capitalize on their offensive power and boost their competitiveness for the upcoming season.
