Joe Maddon probably knows the truth, or most of it. Hellickson's probably going to give up a lot more hits this season than last, and there's not much that Maddon can do about it. Yes, he can position his fielders "properly" and that's going to help.

The Rays already use more infield shifts than anybody else in the majors, so there's only so much more that Maddon can do. The Rays' starters did have low BABiPs last season; all of them. At .281 and .280, David Price and Wade Davis were the highest among the four main guys.

And that's partly the shifts, partly the great infield defense, and partly luck.