Pacific Northwest-Coast Bias

• "Bing is even more competitive with Google than ever before. It’s definitely worth another look" http://t.co/cS8h4dx6 #
• Forget his 4 HRs and 18 total bases tonight. Josh Hamilton is hitting .406 #
• When I look at the standings of the AL East, it looks like it's sorted wrong. TB & BAL on top with 19 wins each. NY and BOS in the basement. #
• Was the Pujols drought driven by switching leagues?: Albert Pujols finally hit his first home run as an LA Angel… http://t.co/3YvVrldI #
• Twitter Weekly Updates for 2012-05-06: I love the new look of http://t.co/5oGRSN16! # Twitter Weekly Updates for… http://t.co/oVZbMs4z #

Albert Pujols finally hit his first home run as an LA Angel on May 6th, the 29th game of the year for the team. He’s currently on pace to hit 6 home runs. I wondered, did switching leagues have anything to do with the drought?

Pujols has hit fewer HRs against AL pitching

Pujols has 446 career home runs, 406 of them have come against NL pitching. His HR hit rate (HRs / ABs) is 7% against NL pitching and 6% against AL pitching, and the NL rate is statistically significantly higher than AL at the 95% confidence level.

Albert’s power outage is also apparent in his hit rate of doubles. He hits fewer doubles against AL pitching, and that’s also statistically significant at the 95% confidence level.

However, Pujols hits more singles against AL pitching

Interestingly, Pujols doesn’t have fewer hits across the board against the AL. He hits more singles against AL pitchers.

Key takeaway: It’s not that Pujols can’t hit AL pitching, it’s that he has less power against AL pitching.

• I love the new look of http://t.co/5oGRSN16! #
• Twitter Weekly Updates for 2012-04-29: Want to have soccer catch on in America? Have Gus Johnson call it. http:/… http://t.co/5uHsRqyE #

• Want to have soccer catch on in America? Have Gus Johnson call it. http://t.co/CvuJdc0f! #
• I can't believe Kellen Moore did not get drafted. #
• Klouchebag score for @samfetchero: 28, or 'mostly alright'. http://t.co/iN2Uh2Gk #
• Why have you not joined Bing Rewards yet? Search Bing, earn credits toward rewards. http://t.co/pYUzTVX6 #
• Giving this a shot – Box of Organic Produce for $19 DELIVERED https://t.co/vRr6Qlqo via @LivingSocial #
• Just when I thought the @Seahawks redeemed themselves, they go and make a stretch pick like that. How's Carpenter working out for ya? #
• Remember that the @Seahawks traded a 4th and a 6th for Lynch in 2010. They basically moved back 3 spots for Lynch. #
• So proud of the @Seahawks right now. Wise trade. #
• Twitter Weekly Updates for 2012-04-22: It's tough to know who is warming up in the bullpen on Jackie Robinson Da… http://t.co/I8cblipK #

• It's tough to know who is warming up in the bullpen on Jackie Robinson Day. #
• Twitter Weekly Updates for 2012-04-15: I love the "tell the runner the ball was foul" trick. http://t.co/pUubpLL... http://t.co/ppjvNYxl #

• I love the "tell the runner the ball was foul" trick. http://t.co/pUubpLLR #
• Best part about the start of the baseball season: The World Series score is removed from the bottom panel of ESPN3 #
• Worst tattoo in the NBA? I'll go with "Poohdini" http://t.co/swEEuShY #
• Twitter Weekly Updates for 2012-04-08: 10 Commandments is on! # Jay-Z rapping over the theme song for The #Maste .. http://t.co/YFXo6FG3 #

• 10 Commandments is on! #
• Jay-Z rapping over the theme song for The #Masters Brilliant. http://t.co/u6dYzUlZ #
• What's up with #18 #Masters #
• Behind the scenes at the Detroit Tigers' opening day. http://t.co/VjuBMkLz #
• foul #
• All I can say is that Ohio State's 13 pt lead with 23 seconds left in the 1st half against Kansas sure wasn't safe. @RossCatrow #
• 2009 game sucked too. it was 55-34 @ half UNC over Mich St. #
• While this game is not good, just remember… Last year the game was 22-19 at half. #
• Twitter Weekly Updates for 2012-04-01: Note to Clark Kellogg: A basketball is not a pumpkin. # Buford 2-2 from b… http://t.co/JMUeG4E6 #

• Note to Clark Kellogg: A basketball is not a pumpkin. #
• Buford 2-2 from behind the arc. Bucks up 8 #
• Buford's 3s are key! 1-1 #
• Go Bucks! Rooting for Buford to sink some 3s. http://t.co/rOhpBO2v #
• Gorgui is having a terrible game. 0-3, 2 turnovers. #
• The green floor is terrible. #FinalFour #
• Whose play is more critical to the Buckeyes men’s basketball team: Jared Sullinger or William Buford?: The Final… http://t.co/gZEZK4rf #
• Who wants to be a Billionaire? #MegaMillions $975MM jackpot Tuesday #
• Wisdom from @mcarr1: "Based on U.S. averages, you're about 8,000 times more likely to be murdered than win the lottery" #megamillions #
• It's hard to beat @JoseCanseco tweets. #
• Seattle Mariners: AL West Leaders. Hopefully we can say that again at a later point in the season #
• When is the last time time both Final Four games featured rematches? #
• Twitter Weekly Updates for 2012-03-25: Selling a $2 bill for $4: I was leafing through the coupons section of th… http://t.co/2KnocOCc #

The Final Four is one of my favorite sporting events. Two amazing games with everything on the line. There’s nothing like it in sports. Interestingly, both games feature rematches from earlier in the season.

With the Final Four being played in New Orleans today, I wondered who is more critical to the Buckeye’s chances of winning, big man Jared Sullinger, or senior William Buford?

Hypothesis: Sullinger

Sullinger is an amazing player to watch, and Buckeye fans across the globe were relieved when he decided to come back for his sophomore season. My initial hypothesis was that Sullinger’s play is the most critical to the Buckeyes chances of winning.

Indeed, Sullinger’s shooting percentage is 12 points higher in games where the Buckeyes win vs. games the Buckeyes lose. We need Sullinger to shoot well.

Buford is as, if not more, important

When I looked at the same number for Buford, the difference was similar. Buford shoots 11 points higher in wins than losses.

Add to that the fact that Buford takes more shots: 479 vs. 420 for Buford vs. Sullinger so far this season, clearly shows that Buford’s shooting % has a bigger impact on the Buckeyes chances of winning.

Digging even deeper, I looked at Buford’s 3-point shooting percentage, and noticed an even wider discrepancy. When the Buckeyes win, Buford has > 2X the 3-pt field goal % than when the Buckeyes lose.

Key Takeaway

When you’re watching the second Final Four game tonight: Ohio State vs. Kansas, pay attention to William Buford’s 3-point Field Goal %. If he’s draining 3s, Ohio State has a great chance to win. If he’s bricking them, the Bucks are in trouble.

• Selling a $2 bill for $4: I was leafing through the coupons section of the newspaper this weekend and came acros… http://t.co/qGJ4EQxN #
• Twitter Weekly Updates for 2012-03-18: How about those Buffalos? @sarahlawer # Capital One's Alec Baldwin commer… http://t.co/NZhr97jy #