Quote:
Originally Posted by Tinkerman
I can see why you would think that, but in reality, what I've seen has been the complete reverse. Each time I've seen a relegation battle around .500, it's been a very strong, evenly matched league.
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I have to agree with the professor on this one based on my own experience. It tends to happen when there are a number of noticeably weaker teams. Those teams fill up most of the relegation spots while most of the others usually beat them; but those who beat them least often end up fighting to avoid the remaining spots despite a 50/50ish overall record.
In contrast, in an evenly matched league I'd expect to see the .500 point in the middle. Even with expected variation around that, it should still be above the diamond relegation zone - if it didn't the league couldn't be considered 'evenly matched'?