When presented with a dataset, it is beneficial to identify any relationships or trends. One way in which we can accomplish this is through the application of cluster analysis, a method for developing taxonomies within a set of observations. While this technique is beneficial in marketing, research, or any profession requiring data analysis, there are many algorithms for dfining clusters in a dataset. As a result, we raise the question, which clustering algorithm is the best in various scenarios?

Baseball is the great American pastime. In this study we examine different aspects of baseball games to determine what factors play a role in predicting the winning team for a specific game or an entire season. To predict who is likely to win individual games, we consider factors such as each team’s offensive or defensive ability, past game scores, and previous winning percentage. In particular, we examine the extent to which a team playing at home has an advantage over the visiting team.