Running 2015 MLB Regular-Season Thread

I didn't even realize that home field was on the table when we discussed this on the other thread. In that case, it's selfish and stupid. The Jays have one of the few venues in baseball where home field can make a big difference and they're going to risk blowing it so Buehrle can throw 200 innings? That's lunacy.

 

Home-field advantage in baseball is one of the most overblown concepts in sports.

Of the nine postseason series last year (including the WC games), the teams that entered with home-field advantage went 2-7.

 

In many stadiums, I tend to agree. Not in Toronto, not this year.

The Blue Jays are 53-28 (.654) at home and 40-40 on the road. Their team ERA is more than a full point lower at home (3.32 vs. 4.42), their OPS is 80 points higher at home and they've struck out 100 fewer times at home.

Where do you think they'd rather play a Game 7?

 

Wherever David Price pitches.

 

KC is going to have to lose a playoff game to an AL team for the first time in 30 years before home cheating advantage will mean anything for Toronto.

 

Braves beat the Cardinals 6-0 in Game 1 of a doubleheader, which means Shelby Miller wins his first game since May 17 and won't carry a 26-start winless streak into the offseason.

He finishes the season 6-17 with a 3.02 ERA.

 

In the time span it takes an old man to piss, the Royals went up 3-0 and the Blue Jays went down 6-0.

Looks like Royals get home field.

 

I've watched Toronto play at Rogers on TV about a dozen times this year. Freakin' magical. It *does* matter in that particular venue.

 

The big question is why. That ballpark hasn't been a factor until this year.

 

So far in October the Royals' starters are averaging 6 IP and one earned run. I'd be comfortable with that keeping up for the rest of the month.

 

Ichiro just pitched the eighth for the Marlins. Gave up one run on two hits.

 

Too bad he wasn't available to start for the Blue Jays.