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MLB Playoffs: Comparing the Matchups via Social Media

With the Wild Card playoff games over and done with, protests denied, and the Division Series games underway, it’s time to look at the remaining matchups a little closer.

Be it from loyal fans or playoff bandwagoners  many of the remaining teams have strong online presences, but how do the teams stack up in terms of social media involvement?

MLB Playoffs: Comparing the Matchups via Social Media

Oakland Athletics vs. Detroit Tigers

A’s Twitter: 70,365 followers

  • Pennant Chase Growth: 59,970 followers on August 15

Tigers Twitter: 156, 282 followers

  • Pennant Chase Growth: 138,012 followers on August 15

A’s Facebook: 348,932 likes

            • Talking about: 83,934

 

Tigers Facebook: 1,080,378 likes

            • Talking about: 178, 048

 

Analysis: Despite calling Oakland home since 1968, the Athletics have the least amount of Twitter followers on this list. Detroit more than doubles Oakland’s total, but the A’s have seen a 17% follower spike since August 15. If Oakland can take down the Tigers in this series, that number will increase exponentially as more and more fans jump aboard. At the same time, Detroit more than triples Oakland in Facebook presence, but the difference in people talking about the two teams doesn’t accurately reflect this. The A’s have a chance to be America’s social media sweetheart very quickly.

Winner:

Cincinnati Reds vs. San Francisco Giants

Reds Twitter: 137,380 followers

  • Pennant Chase Growth: 123,669 followers on August 15

Giants Twitter: 304,522 followers

  • Pennant Chase Growth: 287,298 followers on August 15

Reds Facebook: 609,110 likes

          • Talking about: 91,015

 

Giants Facebook: 1,534,079 likes

          •  Talking about: 173,318

 

Analysis: Despite only being a 20 minute drive from each other, Oakland and San Francisco residents clearly aren’t on the same page with tech savvyness. While Oakland did win its matchup earlier, they’d be no match for San Francisco, which sports the second-most Facebook likes and Twitter followers on this list. Also no match? Cincinnati. (Though, props to the Reds for garnering 609,110 Facebook likes.)

Winner:

New York Yankees vs. Baltimore Orioles

Yankees Twitter: 731,516 followers

  • Pennant Chase Growth: 690,391 followers on August 15

Orioles Twitter: 84,989 followers

    • Pennant Chase Growth: 68,273  on August 15

 

Yankees Facebook: 6,058,591 likes

                • Talking about: 424,636

 

Orioles Facebook: 412,370 likes

                • Talking about: 81,614/77,229

 

Analysis: There’s just no comparison here. With New York gaining social media traction from fans across the country, you can literally combine the Baltimore Orioles and the Texas Rangers’ Facebook and Twitter likes and followers and it won’t come close to how many Facebook likes the Yankees have.

Winner:

 

Washington Nationals vs. St. Louis Cardinals

Nationals Twitter: 76,068 followers

  • Pennant Chase Growth: 64,899 followers on August 15

Cardinals Twitter: 183,440 followers

  • Pennant Chase Growth: 165,055 followers on August 15

Nationals Facebook: 193,639 likes

              • Talking about: 38,004

 

Cardinals Facebook: 1,322,808 likes

              • Talking about: 138,994

 

Analysis:  Yes, the Nationals have awesome hashtags such as October#Natitude, #AdaMVP, #CyGio, and #HarpeROY, but its tough to compete with a rabid fan base thirsty for World Series title No. 11. The Cardinals have nearly seven times as many likes on Facebook, to boot. The Nationals have years ahead to catch up, especially with a younger-generation fan base interested in seeing Bryce Harper and Stephen Strasburg, but right now it’s all St. Louis.

Winner:

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13 Responses to MLB Playoffs: Comparing the Matchups via Social Media

  1. thetim22 October 7, 2012 at 4:55 pm #

    @Pat_DeCola why are wild card teams getting home field advantage?

  2. Pat_DeCola October 7, 2012 at 4:56 pm #

    @thetim22 they technically aren’t. But it’s still weird. They’re going to fix it for next year I believe.

  3. thetim22 October 7, 2012 at 5:14 pm #

    @Pat_DeCola so why are game 1s being played in Baltimore, St. Louis, etc?

  4. Pat_DeCola October 7, 2012 at 5:15 pm #

    @thetim22 the last three of the series are in the other location

  5. thetim22 October 7, 2012 at 5:18 pm #

    @Pat_DeCola that’s wicked lame! If the series ends in 3 they get screwed

  6. Pat_DeCola October 7, 2012 at 5:36 pm #

    @thetim22 totally agree

  7. thetim22 October 7, 2012 at 5:37 pm #

    @Pat_DeCola it’s about as good of an idea as having 2 wild card teams play a single elimination game. Laaaaame

  8. Pat_DeCola October 7, 2012 at 9:34 pm #

    @thetim22 welllll. I disagree there. I thought that was pretty awesome. (Though I’d extend the series to three, personally)

  9. thetim22 October 7, 2012 at 9:47 pm #

    @Pat_DeCola oh no I like the fact that there’s one more playoff team but to let your 162 game season be decided by 1 game sucks

  10. Pat_DeCola October 10, 2012 at 11:05 am #

    @britsuth Thanks for sharing this, Brittany. I appreciate the props!

  11. Pat_DeCola October 10, 2012 at 11:07 am #

    @bhelleu Thanks for sharing this, Boris. I appreciate it!

  12. MichelleMarcus October 12, 2012 at 9:03 pm #

    FYI…the Cardinals won #11 in 2011…they’re going for #12 in 2012!

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