The new sexy stat is run prevention, and the Mariners are the model. Simple philosophy: an opponent can’t win if an opponent can’t score. The Mariners were last in the American League in runs scored in 2009 but still won 85 games thanks largely to their solid pitching staff and a defense that helped hold opponents to an AL-low 625 earned runs. That same defense also was off the charts in ultimate zone rating, or UZR — a plus-minus stat that measures defensive ability by the number of runs above or below average a fielder is in range runs, outfield-arm runs, double-play runs and error runs combined. …
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