Relievers: Early 2018 use of leverage index (LI)

Leverage Index (LI) was developed by Tom Tango and measures the amount of swing in the change in win probability indexed against an average value of 1.00. Skip to the pen review if you have heard all of this before. Relievers who come into games in various situations create a composite score around 1.00, when aggregated. Because the average score is indexed to 1.00, relievers with an LI score higher than 1.00 have managers that are showing greater confidence in them to win close games than relievers with an LI score under 1.00.

LI allows us at a glance to identify a developing usage pattern for particular relievers in a given pen far earlier than just scanning box scores and approximating. Games yield very different situations from one...

Almost!

You’re just a few clicks away from accessing this feature and hundreds more throughout the year that have a singular goal in mind: Winning your league. Subscribe to BaseballHQ.com here!

Already a subscriber? Sign in here

More From Relief Pitchers

Checking in on the Twins, Tigers, Angels, Rangers and Athletics pens for Opening Day.
Mar 20 2026 3:10am
Checking in on the Nationals, Cardinals, Diamondbacks and Rockies pens for Opening Day.
Mar 20 2026 3:09am
These relievers are the ones with the best chance at profit after the first 30 relievers are taken (and after the first 125 pitchers overall) in NFBC 15-team mixed leagues.
Mar 15 2026 3:05am
This column covers relievers who might cost you a lot chasing saves but then fizzle out because of skills or injury risk.
Mar 8 2026 3:07am
This is the annual sleepers column, but let's be honest: There are no sleepers. There are relievers with great skills who are cheaper than they should be ... and that's what you want anyway.
Mar 1 2026 3:03am

Tools