[Mick]

BTW, the Athletic FINALLY ranked the Giants as the #1 team in baseball – and the Giants have had the best record in baseball since May 31, had the best record as early as May 3.

I think the term you are looking for is "strong priors".  For what it is worth, Fivethirtyeight's Elo rankings have the Giants eighth:

https://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/202...edictions/

But they are explicit that each game moves the needle very little, and the Giants started as a below-average team.  You can see the team's tragectory here:

https://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/202...ns/giants/

Giants are currently projecte second in the Division with a 91% chance to make the playoffs.

BC

I like that.  That means, when the Giants sweep the playoffs and win the WS, 538 will have them advance all the way to third best...

[Mick]

BTW, the Athletic FINALLY ranked the Giants as the #1 team in baseball – and the Giants have had the best record in baseball since May 31, had the best record as early as May 3.

I think the term you are looking for is "strong priors".  For what it is worth, Fivethirtyeight's Elo rankings have the Giants eighth:

https://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/202...edictions/

But they are explicit that each game moves the needle very little, and the Giants started as a below-average team.  You can see the team's tragectory here:

https://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/202...ns/giants/

Giants are currently projecte second in the Division with a 91% chance to make the playoffs.

BC

I like that.  That means, when the Giants sweep the playoffs and win the WS, 538 will have them advance all the way to third best...