Context

mlb_elo.csv contains game-by-game Elo ratings and forecasts back to 1871. mlb_elo_latest.csv contains game-by-game Elo ratings and forecasts for only the latest season.

The data contains two separate systems for rating teams; the simpler Elo ratings, used for The Complete History Of MLB, and the more involved — and confusingly named — "ratings" that are used in our MLB Predictions. The main difference is that Elo ratings are reverted to the mean between seasons, while the more involved ratings use preseason team projections from several projection systems and account for starting pitchers. More information can be found in this article.

Column Definition date Date of game season Year of season neutral Whether game was on a neutral site playoff Whether game was in playoffs, and the playoff round if so team1 Abbreviation for home team team2 Abbreviation for away team elo1_pre Home team's Elo rating before the game elo2_pre Away team's Elo rating before the game elo_prob1 Home team's probability of winning according to Elo ratings elo_prob2 Away team's probability of winning according to Elo ratings elo1_post Home team's Elo rating after the game elo2_post Away team's Elo rating after the game rating1_pre Home team's rating before the game rating2_pre Away team's rating before the game pitcher1 Name of home starting pitcher pitcher2 Name of away starting pitcher pitcher1_rgs Home starting pitcher's rolling game score before the game pitcher2_rgs Away starting pitcher's rolling game score before the game pitcher1_adj Home starting pitcher's adjustment to their team's rating pitcher2_adj Away starting pitcher's adjustment to their team's rating rating_prob1 Home team's probability of winning according to team ratings and starting pitchers rating_prob2 Away team's probability of winning according to team ratings and starting pitchers rating1_post Home team's rating after the game rating2_post Away team's rating after the game score1 Home team's score score2 Away team's score