Perfect Cain!!!

STOP DEFENDING ME!

 

Cut down the strike zone. It's gotten so large, even I could hit it. Well, almost.

 

This is still not bickering, right?

 

If the government would let you.

But you know they won't.

 

I think Russell Branyan might have become a Hall of Famer if he had started his career five years later. When he started out there was still a stigma against high-strikeout players and he never got consistent playing time. He finally got a chance in 2009 with Seattle and hit 30 HRs in a partial season but he was past his peak by that point.

 

Stop being pissy. We don't battle no more. Didn't you get the memo?

This subject was more fun on the running baseball thread.

 

I much prefer watching pitchers duels as opposed to high-scoring games. I've actually become more of a fan in recent years for that reason.

 

This Thread: Hall of Fame?

 

Aren't you the one who bitches about the length of games?

 

Worked for Reagan.

 

But I don't think the strikeouts are the result of pitchers' duels. I think that a big reason is bullpen specialization. If you're anything like me, the love of a good pitchers' duel kind of gets deflated once the parade of relievers begins.

If it's Justin Verlander and Clayton Kershaw trading K-for-K, that's one thing.

When it's 13 pitchers on two teams combining for 29 strikeouts ... not exactly the same, no?

 

Well if we're talking about regular games, then I want 13-12 every day. I'm not a baseball purist. But if we're talking about which way to a perfect game or no-hitter is preferable, I will always choose individual dominance (strikeouts) since the pitcher gets the credit for the accomplishment.