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 2^nd 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 2^nd 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.

Always giving back to the community.

Watch @redturn2 and his work with the @LADreamCenter and more in this new episode of #BackstageDodgers. Watch the full episode on https://t.co/ddAWW1G6J7 and vote JT for the 2020 Roberto Clemente Award at https://t.co/i02OKXJEuc. pic.twitter.com/ogvrs95ngf

— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) September 19, 2020

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.