2019 MLB postseason thread

Rodney gonna Rodney. Stunned the Nats used them in a game still in doubt.

 

Anyone make sure Daniel Snyder didn’t buy the Nats on the travel day?

 

Baseball cannot survive being played this way.

One minute between innings, like basketball and quarters, and a team is only allowed two pitching changes every nine innings.

Think of the strategy when you are allowed limited changes. You would get one extra pitching change for every extra inning played.

 

That wouldn’t necessarily shorten games. If the relievers can’t get anybody out, the 15-4 game that results will still last 3 hours and change.
The union will never go for it. Too much taxation of arms etc.

 

I don’t know about limiting the number of changes, at least not at two. But limiting the number of pitchers on the 25-man sounds OK.

 

Limit an incoming reliever to two or three warmup pitches.
Make the batters stay in the box and the pitchers stay on the mound.
Limit throw overs to first base. Three per plate appearance.

 

There aren't that many throw overs. Besides if a pitcher reaches three, the runner could simply jog to second knowing the pitcher can't throw over.

Put relievers on a batter minimum.
Reduce time between innings and make up for the loss of commercials by selling more in-game spots. "This nut scratch brought to you by Planters. Satisfy you itch for nuts with Planters nuts."
Keep batters in the box.

 

19 runs, 24 hits, nine pitchers used.

Game time: 2:36.

Note: ZERO strikeouts. Balls in play. Yeah, it used to be fun to watch.

1960 World Series Game 7 Box Score

 

Then create an exception if the runner bolts before a throw over.

 

It is my belief that there's really nothing that can be done about the atrocious lengths of postseason games, especially Series games, because their primary cause is their very nature. There is no chance MLB or the networks will limit commercial times in any way. They'll keep the between-inning ones and ADD Spartan's in-game plugs, just like they have in team regular season broadcasts. But the main problem is how different the playoff games are from the regular season. "We'll get 'em tomorrow" is one of the sport's enduring cliches and it has real effects. We've all seen blowouts where batters on both sides start going up there hacking at everything to get the agony over with. We've all seen umpires who feel a game has gone quite long enough start expanding their strikes zones in the top of the seventh or so. Well, in the playoffs and Series, none of that happens, because every game is so important. I've said this before but the postseason is damn near a different sport. It's a more emotionally thrilling and draining sport, but unfortunately it is also one that takes longer.

 

That was before we knew that batting average and RBI were bullshit statistics.

 

Then the runner will take a 45 foot leadoff and get to 60 to 65 feet with a secondary lead. Walks to second.