MLB Off-Topic

[DieHardYankee26]

Re: MLB Off-Topic

I don't get the strategy argument, never really have. For one, I don't tune in to see the managers, so the idea of their job getting easier or harder means nothing to me in a vacuum. Secondly, the bases are loaded, we're down 2 runs, worst hitter in a 2 mile radium steps up to the plate, we pinch hit...I dunno, that's not really strategy to me. Especially in 2018 where pitchers are barely allowed to pitch, and are taken out of a game at the first sight of trouble after 2 turns through the lineup, the question of whether to let the pitcher hit is almost always going to be answered by putting a better hitter in his place, it's just a forced pinch hit appearance.

It almost always comes across as a "I don't want the game to change" kinda thing.

[TripleCrown9]

Re: MLB Off-Topic

Keep in mind the only reason it isn't universal now is because the Phillies owner decided that the second week of August 1980 was a fantastic time to go fishing.

[Blzer]

Re: MLB Off-Topic

I don't get the strategy argument, never really have. For one, I don't tune in to see the managers, so the idea of their job getting easier or harder means nothing to me in a vacuum. Secondly, the bases are loaded, we're down 2 runs, worst hitter in a 2 mile radium steps up to the plate, we pinch hit...I dunno, that's not really strategy to me. Especially in 2018 where pitchers are barely allowed to pitch, and are taken out of a game at the first sight of trouble after 2 turns through the lineup, the question of whether to let the pitcher hit is almost always going to be answered by putting a better hitter in his place, it's just a forced pinch hit appearance.

It almost always comes across as a "I don't want the game to change" kinda thing.

It's lineup management. Do you sacrifice using that position player now at the cost of not using him later, and if so do you burn that player for your new pitcher or do you remove another player to keep the pitcher's spot due up later in the lineup?

Also, forget that bases loaded situation, say there's just a runner on second base or something. Your starter is at 86 pitches, and this is a dire situation to drive in that runner. What do you do at that point as well? Heck, before that let's say you're on defense with the #8 hitter at-bat in that situation. Do you intentionally walk that batter and force the opposing team's hand to make a decision? Do you challenge that #8 hitter?

One of the best ones is when the defensive manager anticipates a pinch-hitter and warms up a lefty and a righty, so once that pinch-hitter is announced they can throw that pitcher whose handedness corresponds to that of the batter. Some offensive managers will remove that player and put in another pinch-hitter after that, effectively burning two of their position players.

There are so many things to consider in these situations, and I love thinking about it watching it on TV or at the ballpark (especially when I'm explaining to my mom why things will be played out a certain way in these scenarios).

In the American League, it's just: "Oh, he's tired? Bring another one in."

Players' careers or opportunities can be extended or utilized in several different ways. While aging offensive players can be used to DH, the combination of pinch-hitting/pinch-running and defensive replacing later in the game is a common way of working out some of your newer players. The hitting pitcher is also probably one of the last things that keeps the sacrifice bunt as an alive strategy in the game. Once it's essentially removed from the MLB it will trickle down into lower (youth) leagues to the point of near extinction. You can't tell me that this wouldn't happen.

I can go on about this forever, but my summer school class is coming back in!

[Jr.]

Re: MLB Off-Topic

I don't get the strategy argument, never really have. For one, I don't tune in to see the managers, so the idea of their job getting easier or harder means nothing to me in a vacuum. Secondly, the bases are loaded, we're down 2 runs, worst hitter in a 2 mile radium steps up to the plate, we pinch hit...I dunno, that's not really strategy to me. Especially in 2018 where pitchers are barely allowed to pitch, and are taken out of a game at the first sight of trouble after 2 turns through the lineup, the question of whether to let the pitcher hit is almost always going to be answered by putting a better hitter in his place, it's just a forced pinch hit appearance.

It almost always comes across as a "I don't want the game to change" kinda thing.

What if it's the 5th inning of a 0-0 game and your pitcher is throwing well, but your offense isn't scoring? Do you pinch hit then?


I like having the different set of rules for each league. I think it makes it fun to watch each style.

[jake44np]

Re: MLB Off-Topic

I don't get the strategy argument, never really have. For one, I don't tune in to see the managers, so the idea of their job getting easier or harder means nothing to me in a vacuum. Secondly, the bases are loaded, we're down 2 runs, worst hitter in a 2 mile radium steps up to the plate, we pinch hit...I dunno, that's not really strategy to me. Especially in 2018 where pitchers are barely allowed to pitch, and are taken out of a game at the first sight of trouble after 2 turns through the lineup, the question of whether to let the pitcher hit is almost always going to be answered by putting a better hitter in his place, it's just a forced pinch hit appearance.

It almost always comes across as a "I don't want the game to change" kinda thing.

Yeah I totally disagree, and I for one do enjoy or tune in to witness strategy in a baseball game. Blazer explained it pretty much to a tee.
I really enjoy everything about it including pitching around the 8 hitter if need be to face the pitcher and force the other managers hand.
I like it the way it is, DH in the AL and none in the NL.
Part of it is growing up watching the NL here in Cincy.

[DieHardYankee26]

Re: MLB Off-Topic

What if it's the 5th inning of a 0-0 game and your pitcher is throwing well, but your offense isn't scoring? Do you pinch hit then?


I like having the different set of rules for each league. I think it makes it fun to watch each style.

9 times out of 10, no. The 10th? Maybe, it would probably depend on when the game is being played, how good my bullpen is, how good my offense is, etc.

If that 1 time out of 10 is why I'm watching dudes with a 300 OPS struggle, that's not enough. I just find it hard to believe there's that much variation. Pretty quickly, the manager figures out his way and things play out fairly routinely, especially over 162 games.

I'd probably feel differently if lineups in the NL were better (but they probably aren't because of the pitchers hitting so there's that). To see a trash 8 hitter get walked to face a pitcher with no chance just is not entertaining. I prefer the strategy of a good pitcher trying to get out a good hitter, I think the AL game gets us more of that.

[areobee401]

Re: MLB Off-Topic

Yikes.

"The closest NBA player to Trout in terms of awareness among the general population, per Q Scores’s research, is reserve forward Kenneth Faried, who was traded by the Denver Nuggets to the Brooklyn Nets last week in a salary dump."

https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/baseballs-dilemma-mike-trout-is-mlbs-ultimate-all-star-and-yet-he-is-not-a-star/2018/07/16/bc17e36c-8490-11e8-8f6c-46cb43e3f306_story.html?utm_term=.666f4171fd5f

[CBoller1331]

Re: MLB Off-Topic

The DH would make room in the Cubs outfield for Bryce Harper next season.....but why did this gain traction now that Kyle Schwarber has become a good defensive outfielder?

All joking aside, I like AL style of baseball. I like NL style of baseball. If a pitcher doesn't want to hit, then sign with an AL team. The NL will keep the Bumgarner's and Greinke's and Arrieta's and Lorenzen's. I'm fine with different rules in different leagues. Makes for some fun variation

[Jr.]

Re: MLB Off-Topic

Meh. I took this out of the article more than Trout's Q-score.

“Baseball is inherently a regional game, which makes it almost impossible to create a national campaign for an individual player,” St. Joseph’s University sports marketing professor John B. Lord said.

The sport itself is star-resistant compared to other games. Even a novice would understand a basketball star’s brilliance at first glance; any one game wouldn’t reveal a baseball player’s impact. If the Houston Rockets are down to a final possession, it’s a lock James Harden will play a central role. It’s a crapshoot if Trout will come to bat in the ninth inning with the game on the line, and even when he does, opponents can neutralize him at will — Trout leads the majors in intentional walks.

It's just difficult to transcend the sport if you don't play for the Yankees, Cubs, Red Sox, Dodgers, or Giants. The Angels are a bit of an afterthought for many reasons. Trout's lack of stardom is a product of the Angels as much as it is of baseball. And Trout just doesn't seem to want to be that type of star.

[DieHardYankee26]

Re: MLB Off-Topic

It's also a product of Trout, he's really boring and doesn't go out of his way to be known.

[SPTO]

Re: MLB Off-Topic

Meh. I took this out of the article more than Trout's Q-score.



It's just difficult to transcend the sport if you don't play for the Yankees, Cubs, Red Sox, Dodgers, or Giants. The Angels are a bit of an afterthought for many reasons. Trout's lack of stardom is a product of the Angels as much as it is of baseball. And Trout just doesn't seem to want to be that type of star.

I dunno, the Braves trio of starting pitchers in the '90s were household names. I think you CAN market someone nationally but it takes a lot of work. One of the problems is that baseball is an every day sport. You can't really go out of your way to be known nationally if 90% of the time you're traveling or playing. I do think that MLB also needs to loosen some of their restrictions on social media.

That being said you have to WANT to be known, Trout doesn't seem to care about it and while Judge and Stanton are known in baseball circles they don't really go out of their way to market themselves or their personality. It's pretty much a "faceless" game that way. I also blame it on the culture baseball, like hockey has always had a culture that puts team above individuality. Just look at the ruckus caused whenever a player shows enthusiasm. It's almost always viewed as disrespecting the game or a player who is disruptive and selfish.

In the end, it'll always be a regional game television wise with the exception of the teams you mention above.

[Jr.]

Re: MLB Off-Topic

Those Braves pitchers played nationally on TBS 5 days a week and were in the playoffs every year, too.

Sent from my SM-G920V using Operation Sports mobile app

[daflyboys]

Re: MLB Off-Topic

To see a trash 8 hitter get walked to face a pitcher with no chance just is not entertaining. I prefer the strategy of a good pitcher trying to get out a good hitter, I think the AL game gets us more of that.

But that's the beauty of the NL. A manager may also want to pitch to that "trashy" 8 hitter and not allow the other team to turn over the line-up. And even if he does walk him, who's to say that that pitcher, though unlikely, could get a base knock and possibly even a key RBI. Baseball is about unpredictable moments paying off, which shouldn't be the norm.

[DieHardYankee26]

Re: MLB Off-Topic

That's not even mentioning all the times the pitcher comes up with no one on base though. A few years ago, I think 2013, the league average for pitcher OPS was something like .437 (actually, that was the 9 spot, so it could be thrown off by oddball managers hitting their pitchers 8th). This year for pitchers it's .288!!!

I wouldn't mind it so much if it just stayed over there and they got rid of interleague play. Send the Astros back, do it for the ghost of Chien-Ming Wang.

[Blzer]

Re: MLB Off-Topic

I'd probably feel differently if lineups in the NL were better (but they probably aren't because of the pitchers hitting so there's that). To see a trash 8 hitter get walked to face a pitcher with no chance just is not entertaining. I prefer the strategy of a good pitcher trying to get out a good hitter, I think the AL game gets us more of that.

And that's why we have the American League DH rule. National League has something different. Neither myself nor anybody else is trying to get rid of the DH in both leagues. I would hate that probably as much as I would hate putting the DH in both leagues. I mean I like watching AL ball and I like watching NL ball, but there is so little structure in the AL when it comes to certain things in that vein. This is a bit off-topic, but I still wonder to this day if the analytics are recommending #2 hitters to be your best hitter in the NL with a pitcher batting ninth, because I would take large exception to that.

Plus man, some pitchers can hit. I'd rather that they worked on finding a remedy to train pitchers to become better hitters than to do with the DH. You are really cutting out some notables here. Max Scherzer, Zack Greinke, and German Marquez are reaching base more successfully than your precious Brett Gardner and Greg Bird (heck, Marquez has a higher OPS than Gary Sanchez, so what say you there?). Don't pretend like there isn't excitement and drama when a pitcher comes up to bat. They are not all automatic outs, and it makes it that much more special when they do get a hit.

It's sad that I think Manfred and company think that they can keep baseball fans forever no matter what they do to the game. I'll admit that baseball is a passion of mine that I will personally never rid, but you can unnerve me enough to a tipping point that I will fall short of caring so much about the MLB on a daily basis. It's actually possible, and these small things are really starting to tip the scales, which is the saddest thing I've ever thought of.