MLB Off-Topic

[TripleCrown9]

Re: MLB Off-Topic

I don't see why NL fans would rather watch a pitcher give up an easy out than plug a guy in and hit at least 20 more homers a season.

[Sportsforever]

Re: MLB Off-Topic

I don't see why NL fans would rather watch a pitcher give up an easy out than plug a guy in and hit at least 20 more homers a season.

Because the pitcher plays the field, he's a part of the lineup, he should have to bat? You have your reasons for liking the DH...I happen to like the pitcher batting. Leave it as is it is...that way we both get to watch what we like.

[steelerfan]

Re: MLB Off-Topic

Why stop at pitchers? Drew Butera is a crappy hitter, so why not let him do his specialty (catching) and have someone like Edgar Martinez bat for him?

I think the argument that "it's not interesting to watch" is a poor reason to make changes...personally, I enjoy watching pitchers try and hit, especially when a bunt is called upon. I would prefer that pitchers become better hitters...not remove them from hitting.

It's kind of like watching a left tackle try to kick a field goal. It's not what got him in the league and it's not the reason he was hired. I wouldn't go to a veterinarian and ask him to draw up a divorce for me. [emoji6][emoji16]

That said, I understand why you like it (especially for the strategy element).

[WaitTilNextYear]

Re: MLB Off-Topic

You guys really want to remove Carl Edwards Jr's ability to walk Yu Darvish on 4 pitches with the bases loaded? That AB wasn't interesting? Hmm. I would rather make AL pitchers bat than adopt the DH in the NL. Enough with this junior circuit poppycock.

[Speedy]

Re: MLB Off-Topic

Like most NL fans, I used to be viscerally opposed to the DH, but I'm all for adopting it now.

The poster boy for good pitcher hitting is Bumgarner, but his career 51 wRC+ would make him one of the worst hitters in baseball history if he were a position player. I don't think watching Drew Butera or Tim Federowicz hit is that interesting tbh...and that's what Bumgarner basically is as a hitter. If Bumgarner still wants to hit, he could always convince Bochy to let him pinch hit.

My thoughts exactly.

The move of Houston to the AL and then the constant interleague schedule really diluted the NL style of play to me. The only thing that we wouldn't see nearly as often is double switches but pinch runners, pinch hitters are still common with DH rules.

It's simply EVIDENT how much easier AL pitchers are able to work around a lineup in NL parks than NL pitchers doing the same in AL parks...not having that constant out for the NL starter is a huge difference.

The AL was 167-133 in 2015, 165-135 in 2016 and 160-140 in 2017.

Ball don't lie.

[Jr.]

Re: MLB Off-Topic

You can't really compare 1 to 1 a pitcher's batting stats to a hitter. They get maybe 100 ABs in a season and never more than 8 in a week. Hitting is more about timing than anything, and if you're not seeing pitches consistently, you're never going to have good numbers.

I'd like to see Bumgarner get 500 ABs and see what he can do. I bet he could push for 20+ HRs and hit in the mid .200s. Not saying that's great, but it's not awful either.

[Mabster]

Re: MLB Off-Topic

You guys really want to remove Carl Edwards Jr's ability to walk Yu Darvish on 4 pitches with the bases loaded? That AB wasn't interesting? Hmm. I would rather make AL pitchers bat than adopt the DH in the NL. Enough with this junior circuit poppycock.

We removed throwing intentional walks didn't we?

[WaitTilNextYear]

Re: MLB Off-Topic

We removed throwing intentional walks didn't we?

I knew it was your fault. Just wait until Blzer finds out.

[TheMatrix31]

Re: MLB Off-Topic

The logic behind "designated hitter' has never made sense to me. Therefore, I think the designated hitter is dumb.

[Chip Douglass]

Re: MLB Off-Topic

Because the pitcher plays the field, he's a part of the lineup, he should have to bat? You have your reasons for liking the DH...I happen to like the pitcher batting. Leave it as is it is...that way we both get to watch what we like.

Tom Brady plays the field and is part of the lineup. No one wants to see this guy play free safety though.

Honestly, I'm not vexed about this either way. If the NL wants to keep pitcher hitting, so be it. I'm an NL fan and will still watch, but it just seems like an anachronism to me, much like the 19 yard extra point in the NFL. I'd much rather watch professional hitters in all 9 slots in the batting order than Rich Hill flail at balls in the dirt and make a fool out of himself or Yu Darvish take 3 fastballs down the middle and walk back to the dugout. Sure, there's a bit more strategy in the NL game, but unless you're overly fazed by double-switches or something, it's highly overrated and not worth the hassle of watching bad hitting.

[countryboy]

Re: MLB Off-Topic

Tom Brady plays the field and is part of the lineup. No one wants to see this guy play free safety.

Comparing apples and oranges. Football and baseball are two completely different sports with two different roster concepts.

Baseball is about having players who can hit and play defense. If the pitcher is on the field then he should have to hit.

I mean why not have designated fielders for guys like Schwarber who can hit but doesn't necessarily fit in the field?

The DH is the same concept


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[Qdiddy]

Re: MLB Off-Topic

I love reading this debate on the DH, this is what makes baseball so great. Me personally I see the points on both sides. I’m a yankees fan so AL biased to a point but I like the strategy that’s in play when you have to decide when down by a run or scoreless in a big game late do I PH for this hot pitcher or keep him in. I wouldn’t mind either way MLB decides moving forward, I just know I hold my breath every time a Yankee pitcher steps to the plate.


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[Speedy]

Re: MLB Off-Topic

I like the added flexibility DHs give, too. A player can hit 4 times a game but be given a rest from the field if need be. Chipper probably could've played two more years with the DH rule.

[Sportsforever]

Re: MLB Off-Topic

I will add...even as someone who is AGAINST the DH, I believe the DH actually ADDS more strategy to the game.

In the NL the decision on when to bunt the pitcher is clear to everyone...it doesn't take much "decision making". Often times a pitcher is pulled based on his spot coming up in the batting order in a key spot (unless you are Dave Roberts, apparently) and not on strategic matchups or if the manager thinks he's done.

In the AL, if you choose to bunt that was a true decision (let a hitter swing away or give up the out to change the base situation). If you pull the pitcher, it was a true decision based on the matchups, his performance, whatever.

I acknowledge that the NL brand of ball, which gets "more strategy" label, is actually less "strategic", but I simply enjoy it more. It's exciting, to me, when a pitcher draws a walk/puts up a good at bat/moves a runner over/gets a hit/hits a homer, etc. Besides, I don't like the idea of specialization to the point of playing defense yet not being required to bat. I don't HATE the DH as some baseball purists happen to, but I do enjoy the leagues, even with Inter-league play, being somewhat different.

On a final note, all of the football to baseball analogies fall flat for me. It's a different game (although, when football first started it was like baseball/soccer...you couldn't be subbed out and played both ways) all together and they just don't work, IMO. I do think that a limited DH could be interesting...what I mean by this is that once/game the manager gets to use a DH/pinch hitter for whoever he wants without that player being removed from the game. That would absolutely add strategy to the game...

[steelerfan]

Re: MLB Off-Topic

Comparing apples and oranges. Football and baseball are two completely different sports with two different roster concepts.

Baseball is about having players who can hit and play defense. If the pitcher is on the field then he should have to hit.

I mean why not have designated fielders for guys like Schwarber who can hit but doesn't necessarily fit in the field?

The DH is the same concept


Sent from my iPhone using Operation Sports

You do have designated fielders for guys that can hit but not play in the field. They're called American League pitchers. [emoji16][emoji16][emoji16]