Also known as "When Abbreviations Attack!"

Update: This is a joint interview with noMaas.org.

Just a reminder in case you haven't read the article yet but SG has a fantastic (and long) interview with Mitchel Lichtman (MGL) who is one of the top names in the field of sabermetrics. He is best known as the inventor of UZR (Ultimate Zone Rating), which is "the most advanced form of defensive statistical analysis currently available" and he consults for the St. Louis Cardinals as well. Here's what he thinks of the Yankees' chances this year:

The Yankees have a powerhouse of a lineup again this year. The only weakness is at DH, and even that is not too bad. With a little luck, they could score 1000 runs in 2006. I think that 900 is a slam dunk. Their starting pitching, one through four, is pretty good, if RJ stays healthy and keep his velocity consistently in the mid 90’s. Mussina, while well on the downslope of his great career, should still be able to post good numbers, and while Wang and Chacon are not as good as they pitched for the Yankees last year (especially Chacon), they are still pretty decent pitchers. And of course, Mo remains one of the best closers in baseball. Pavano and Wright are the stepchildren in the back of the rotation this year. I much prefer Pavano. I think Wright is a terrible pitcher who had a good, flukey year for Atlanta in 04, perhaps helped by the tutelage of Mazzone. I expect the Yankees to once again lead the division, this time with 96 or 97 wins.

MGL, Tom Tango and Andy Dolphin are pitching new book about baseball strategy called, simply enough, The Book. If you check out the site, there are excerpts from each chapter of The Book, which from the sounds of the interview looks to be a killer read (if you're into the scene).