Who are the best teams in this year's playoffs?

Everyone has their own opinion to offer on this topic. A lot of folks favor the upstart Tampa Bay Rays. Look what can happen when you take the "Devil" out of the team? Others favor the Los Angeles Angels who are the only 100-win team this year. The best story would be the Chicago Cubs breaking the oldest winless draught in the history of professional sports on the 100-year anniversary of their last World Series win.

I'll let you make your own call. To help you with that, here are this season's best teams, players and managers in various statistical categories among the eight playoff teams:

About These Stats
Some of these stats may be unfamiliar to some readers. Here are easy explanations for three of them:

Fielding Plays Above Average: The number of above-average defensive plays a team made over the course of the season. Zero is average; plus numbers are above average and negative numbers are below average.

Manufactured Runs: Runs put together out of small parts—infield hits, bunts, moving up on ground outs, stealing bases, hitting and running, scoring on fly balls, etc.

Net Bases Gained: The team’s overall performance on the base paths over the course of the season. Zero is average; plus numbers are above average and negative numbers are below average.

For more information, go to The Bill James Handbook 2009, available from booksellers or at www.actasports.com.

Quick note: I'm looking for a research assistant to work with me. If you know anyone who might be interested, please reply to this email. Here is more info:

The position in the Baseball Info Solutions (BIS) Coplay, PA office will involve sports analysis, computer programming and writing. The position will involve working with John Dewan, supporting his analytical projects, and will involve extensive independent work. It requires a variety of skills including an analytical mind, computer expertise, and writing ability, as well as a passion for baseball.

1. Analytic / Mathematical ability similar to those used in the actuarial field.
2. Computer literacy level, which allows independence in retrieving and analyzing data. Examples of skills required include SQL, Access, Excel, and Web development.
3. Writing ability to be able to communicate the results of the analysis in an interesting and insightful way, both internally within BIS as well as to sports professionals and fans.