Potpourri for 2020 Alex
We are now down to the last week, and we have no more idea as to who will be the Dodgers Wild Card opponent today than we had at the beginning of the season. Because the 2nd place teams in the Central and Eastern Divisions are relatively close, there are six teams that could fall to the #8 seed. Only two NL teams have actually clinched a spot in the
We are now down to the last week, and we have no more idea as to who will be the Dodgers Wild Card opponent today than we had at the beginning of the season. Because the 2nd place teams in the Central and Eastern Divisions are relatively close, there are six teams that could fall to the #8 seed. Only two NL teams have actually clinched a spot in the playoffs; Dodgers and Padres. Although the Braves and Cubs are almost assured.
- NL West – San Francisco
- NL Central – Cardinals, Reds, Brewers
- NL East – Marlins, Phillies
I would include the Mets, but they are 2.5 games back of the three .500 teams (Giants, Reds, Brewers), and there are just too many teams ahead of them. There are going to be some interesting matchups this final week to determine the final standings.
- Giants – Rockies (4), Padres (4)
- Reds – Brewers (3), Twins (3)
- Brewers – Reds (3), Cardinals (5)
- Phillies – Nationals (4), Rays (3)
- Cardinals – Royals (3), Brewers (5)
- Miami – Braves (4), NYY (3)
It could also get interesting as of right now, the Cardinals are only scheduled to play 58 games. What will happen if they are just ahead or just behind the #8 team? I have heard that the decision will be best won-loss percentage, but that I do not know if that is the final decision. Because the first wild card game for the NL starts on Wednesday, it seems likely that the Cardinals fate will be decided on by win-loss percentage.
In the AL, five teams have already punched their ticket into the playoffs: Tampa Bay, NYY, Chicago White Sox, Minnesota, and Oakland. The other three are almost slam dunks…Houston (#6), Cleveland (#7), and Toronto (#8). There closest competition are the Angels and Seattle (4.0 games behind #8), and Detroit and Baltimore (4.5 games behind #8). The Wild Card series that I am going to be watching with most interest will be the #4 and #5 teams: Minnesota and NYY. Technically both teams have a shot at winning their division, but the odds are against them.
Next item – As the season is winding down, I thought I would take a look at the 2020 Rule Changes and offer an opinion as to whether I believe they should be considered for permanent changes or not. Theoretically these rule changes would normally be decided at the next CBA, but there is nothing that says that if both sides decide to make the change, they could make it.
Rule Change – Roster limit of 28. This was very helpful because of the number of injuries incurred, especially with pitchers. The original rule change was to start at 30 drop to 28 after two weeks, and to the agreed upon limit of 26 after a month. However, because of the uncertainties of the COVID-19 spread and mounting player injuries, the decision was to keep the roster size at 28. I believe this was the proper decision for the 2020 season, but the roster size will and should go back to 26 for 2021.
Rule Change – Universal DH. I think this has been almost universally accepted. There are still multiple traditionalists who hate the DH, but for me, both leagues should be playing under the same rules. If the choice was to make both leagues without the DH, I would be in favor of that; however, that is not going to happen. For me, both leagues with the DH is the preference over AL with and NL without. But the decision to keep the DH in the NL is not as clear cut as many may think. This rule change figured to be rather contentious and a source of negotiation for the next CBA. Will either side decide to give up their negotiation stance on this issue?
Rule Change – Extra Innings to begin with a runner on 2nd Base. To save pitchers’ arms, this was necessary for 2020. For 2021 and beyond, while I have enjoyed the drama with a runner in scoring position with no outs, I think I am in the Clayton Kershaw camp on this one. It does not seem like baseball. I know it works in the MiLB as it gets games over with quicker and it does save on pitchers’ arms, I become more of a traditionalist with this rule. Last year the Dodgers played 10 extra inning games (winning 6). That does not seem that onerous to change a rule staple for me.
Rule Change – 7-inning Double Header games. I understand why these were necessary for 2020, but they should not be considered for the future. MLB is not MiLB or Softball. The game was intended for 9 innings and they should stay that way. I may be a dinosaur, but I do not consider MLB games too long. Neither the length or time bother me.
Rule Change – A pitcher must either face at least three batters or pitch to the end of the half inning. This was not a COVID-19 rule change, is not subject to revert back to the way it was. I am not sure how much of a factor this has been. The intent was to find a way of speeding up the game. Again, this is not an issue for me. If you want to speed up the game, limit the number of commercials between innings. But something tells me that neither MLB as an organization nor the teams are going to want to cut into their advertising revenue. Some publication with much more powerful computers than my Dell Precision 7720 Laptop should be able to calculate how much time this rule change may have saved. IMO, MLB pitchers should be able to get three hitters out (RH or LH), so I am okay with the rule change.
Finally, Justin Turner (and wife Kourtney) are extremely involved in LA Charities. See the following twitter post on JT and Kourtney’s involvement in LA DreamCenter.
So much so that JT has been nominated for the prestigious Roberto Clemente Award. From MLB:
“The Roberto Clemente Award is bestowed annually to the player who best represents the game of Baseball through extraordinary character, community involvement, philanthropy and positive contributions, both on and off the field.
Every year, each MLB Club nominates a player to be considered for the Award in tribute to Clemente’s achievements and character. This year’s list of nominees features players whose various community and philanthropic activities have focused on important issues ranging from awareness & fundraising to support those with cancer and other illnesses or special needs, education for young people, natural disaster relief, outreach to underserved children & communities in the United States and abroad, and more.”
After receiving the nomination, JT said:
Being nominated for the Roberto Clemente Award by this great organization is something that my wife Kourtney and I are so proud of, and it’s truly an honor to be recognized. We feel so fortunate to be able to give back – especially during these hard times due to the coronavirus – and support our homeless veterans, hospitals, schools and youth sports. We have the greatest fans in all of baseball who support us year-round, and we have a duty, a responsibility to give back to the community above and beyond.
You can read more about the Award and vote for JT at the following site:
https://www.mlb.com/community/roberto-clemente-award
There have been 50 winners in 49 years. There were two winners in 2014. There have been two Dodgers who have previously won the award: Steve Garvey (1981) and Clayton Kershaw (2012). Let’s get the vote out for JT in 2020.
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Discussion (90)
Disagree, not disagreeable
I didn’t think I would like the DH, but I actually do. For me, the advantage is not so much that pitchers don’t bat, but that “resting” players can.
I don’t like the three batter rule and hope it is eliminated. Nor do I like the excessive number of teams that qualify for the postseason.
I would think adoption of the DH in the NL would lessen, not increase, the need for additional roster spots beyond 26, since fewer double-switches would be needed.
Ross Stripling is 0-2 with a 736 ERA for Toronto (1.91 WHIP) and the league is hitting .304 against him. Ouch! I feel for Ross!
Kenta Maeda has become the ACE of the Twin staff. .252 ERA. 0.76 WHIP and the league is hitting .167 against him. This was a good deal for both sides.
I’d hire a hypnotist for Muncy and Pederson.
Montas is a fastball pitcher, so they should not really have too much trouble with Frankie if they are patient. Montas is 3-4 with a 5.86 ERA. Manaea is 4-3 with a 4.50. Fiers is 6-2 with a 4.67. None of these guys are Cy Young. But Fiers is a breaking ball pitcher, and a few years ago, he threw a no hitter at the Dodgers. And he gets Buehler. May and Urias up for the first two. Lets hope Urias is over his first inning yips. You can’t pitch like that to hitters like the A’s have. They are without Chapman, but his replacement, Jake Lamb has suddenly found his bat. As for the DH, it is here to stay. The 3 batter rule will be kept too. 7 inning double headers will be gone. Now, Manfred likes the extra inning starting with a runner on second. But that opinion is not widely shared. It does make things more tense and exciting, but my view, and this is my opinion, it gives the home team a huge advantage. Electronic strike zone, all for it. If any of you watched Sunday’s game, that ump was all over the place, and never called anything consistently. He called a pitch on one of the Rockie hitters a ball that was up in the zone, the very next inning, he called the same pitch a strike on a Dodger hitter. Pitiful. I think the rosters will slide back to the way it was supposed to be this year, 26 until September 1st, and then you will only be allowed 2 extra players the rest of the way. I also think that taxi squads are going to be considered. They have proved valuable this year. But those are subjects for the next CBA. Reds have very good starting pitching. Their BP< not so much. And their offense frankly stinks. They can be beat. Right now, they are the 8 seed by a hair. Brewers and Giants are right on their tail. Lamb is hitting .364 with 2 homers and 7 RBI’s in 6 games.
This I believe:
1. If Max Muncy and/or Joc Pederson have a few 0-for bad games in a row, one or both could be left off the roster – I believe they can play themselves on or off the playoff team. Muncy and Pederson have six games to save their jobs. If they go 0 for 20 the last 6 games, I cannot make a case for them.
2. In the first round, any team can win 2 games. If the Dodgers play the Reds and Kershaw and Buehler are on, it could be over in a heartbeat, but the same applies to Bauer and Castillo. I do not like this format!
3. Pederson and Muncy need to move down in the order. Frankie Montas is going tonight, so Joc and Max will both play. Lux too.
Thank you, AC, for the great breakdown and explanation of the new shortened season rules for people like me. Here is what I like or not.
1. DH is ok, almost inevitable that it came to the NL. Do not mind it.
2. Extra Innings Rule? Agree with SoCalBum on tie games so do not like it.
3. Three Batter Rule does speed up the game so ok by me. Honestly, how long does it take to throw the ball around the infield? Less time I think than the umpteen times a batter unties and tightens his batting gloves especially on a 10-pitch plate appearance.
4. Do not like the 7-inning double headers. Ok for this season only.
5. The 28-man roster is a good one, I think, to keep. Electronic Strike Zone would help frustration of pitchers, batters, managers etc.
And I already cast a well-deserved vote for JT.
A very effective way to reduce time in the games would be that the manager cannot ask for time out only to check the replay, only to decide if they ask to call NY to reverse a decision. I don’t know if what I said was understood, sorry for my english
Not a fan of the DH, but long ago was resigned to the fact that the NL would one day adopt the rule — it was never going away. With Dave Roberts as manager, I love the 3 batter rule. I do not care for the extra inning rule, but neither do I like to watch 13+ inning games and the toll it takes on players, especially pitchers. I have long advocated for computer determined strikes and balls. For every umpire that does a good job of calling strikes and balls it seems that there are at least two that range from poor to awful — not to mention each umpire has his own strike zone. Pitch framing has gone to pulling pitches into the strike zone on some umpires. Finally, I am disappointed that MLB has canceled the Arizona Fall League.
My opinion
The DH is fine
The 3 batter rule, stays or goes, whatever.
The extra inning rule I do not like.
The electronic strike zone, yes.
Last 2 series, like to see the Dodgers win both series and hope Roberts plays McKinstry in all games.
You forgot the electronic strike zone. That needs to happen in 2021. The umps are horrible!
I like the extra-inning rule.
I like the DH in both leagues.
The 3 batter rule is OK.
If the DH does come in, then I think the roster should be 27 or 28.
aJust my opinions…
Cmon Bear watching Hill swing a bat and run to first was pure fun!
I don’t think the 3 batter rule has done what they had hoped. Managers like Roberts is switching pitchers every three to four batters no matter the situation. One game he took a pitcher out with two outs in the 9th even though the game was a blowout.
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I’m generally with Clayton on the extra innings rule too. I do find it odd that proponents applaud the strategy that takes place during the new extra innings rules but like the DH. We’ve gotten rid of strategy and roster management all so that a pitcher doesn’t bat twice during a game all so a .230 hitter does. This dinosaur hates the DH.
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The change I despise the most though is the expanded playoffs.
Great analysis Jeff. I honestly believe the DH is going to be kept. It might have to be part of the next CBA, but in my eyes, after how well it has been recieved in the NL this season, managers are going to want to keep it, and I know I do. Make baseball universal. Same rules for both leagues. I dislike the extra inning rule, but it also has some legs because Manfred loves it. As for 7 inning double headers, Manfred has already indicated they will not be used going forward. I have read a lot about Turners efforts in the community, and being a Vet, I know they are involved in a lot of activities to help homeless Vets. So I definitely will vote for JT.
Anyone who thinks Muncy is on the playoff bubble is too dumb to run a baseball blog.