2013 MLB Season Thread

[GirlySports]

I'm keeping fundmark19 and Maritime Q-Scout far away from each other tomorrow.

[fundmark19]

I hate playing Texas in anything post season related! I still can't sleep from 2010 and 2011. Thank goodness Yu isn't pitching or I would have been up all night.

[Resolute 14]

Honestly, I am finding it very hard to care about all of these one-game playoffs. The new format completely cheapens the spectacle and intrigue of tonight's match-up.

[fundmark19]

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

Honestly, I am finding it very hard to care about all of these one-game playoffs. The new format completely cheapens the spectacle and intrigue of tonight's match-up.

Really? I think it adds value to the season. Texas has gone on an improbably 7 game win steak with their backs against the wall to tie the Rays and force a tiebreaker game. This is what makes baseball great. Could you imagine after 162 games instead of having a tiebreaker game it just came down to head to head record. It goes to show you that every single game counts which in my eyes make it exciting. Sure the Rays should have wrapped up a wildcard spot quite some time ago but I was cheering for a 3 way tie between everyone for added excitement.

Don't forget the story lines:

Texas turning their season around and putting impressive win streak to give them a chance
Nelson Cruz is back from his cheating suspension
Rays have lost to Texas in past two postseason match ups
David Price a franchise pitcher against a rookie.

[troutman]

Wildcard round should be best of 3 at least.

[GirlySports]

I tend to agree with Resolute. I don't mind it if there is a tiebreaker to win the division or the old system where there was a tiebreaker for the wildcard which was direct entrance into the playoffs.

But now to have a tiebreaker to get into a forced tiebreaker to get into the playoffs is pretty dumb.

Last year the Braves finished 7 games ahead of the Cardinals and had to play a 1-game tiebreaker against them, that's unfair.

[GirlySports]

Originally Posted by troutman

Wildcard round should be best of 3 at least.

The division winners will whine that they are off 4-5 days.

[Resolute 14]

It is obviously different for you being a fan of an involved team, Fundmark17, but the thing is this: You went on a hell of a run to earn a one-game playoff. Winning that gets you into a.... one-game playoff. This isn't a game to determine a division champion, or even the true wild card team. This is a one-game playoff to determine the fifth best team in the American League. That's just not all that special.

[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by GirlySports

The division winners will whine that they are off 4-5 days.

Doubleheader in one city, game three in the other if necessary.

/wishful thinking

[troutman]

Originally Posted by GirlySports

The division winners will whine that they are off 4-5 days.

Would they? Your starters get lots of rest while the wild card aces get used up.

With double-headers (like Res suggests) it should not have to be that long.

[GirlySports]

Originally Posted by troutman

Would they? Your starters get lots of rest while the wild card aces get used up.

With double-headers (like Res suggests) it should not have to be that long.

Starters pitching on more than 7 days rest isn't good. They have been in a routine all year. And batters not hitting for a week? that would suck.

Doubleheader for Games 2 and 3 maybe. For Game 1 and 2 isn't fair. They don't have doubleheaders anymore unless there's rain so to schedule one would be weird.

BTW, they do this in Japan, the league winners get more then a week off while the 2nd and 3rd placed team play a best-of-7.

[fundmark19]

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

It is obviously different for you being a fan of an involved team, Fundmark17, but the thing is this: You went on a hell of a run to earn a one-game playoff. Winning that gets you into a.... one-game playoff. This isn't a game to determine a division champion, or even the true wild card team. This is a one-game playoff to determine the fifth best team in the American League. That's just not all that special.

True except we limped our way to get into a one game playoff. Maybe it is different in my mind since they are in the AL East and up until the last 2 years it was near impossible to even get into the playoffs because Yankees and Sox dominated the standings.

I like the double header idea though. Have wild card best of three. Have the tiebreaker game on the Monday if necessary then Double header Tuesday with Wednesday being deciding game 3.

Originally Posted by GirlySports

Doubleheader for Games 2 and 3 maybe. For Game 1 and 2 isn't fair. They don't have doubleheaders anymore unless there's rain so to schedule one would be weird.
.

Doesn't this bring us all back to that the MLB should have double headers on Sundays during the year like the good old days

[fundmark19]

Since Maritime Q-Scout and I are the only ones to care I assume we will both be spamming you all this evening!

Desmond Jennings is back in the lineup hitting leadoff tonight.

[GirlySports]

I'll watch it! I like do-or-die games!

Football starts nearly an hour later and I think it'll be a no contest (but if it's close I never said this)

[GirlySports]

predictions? i'm taking the Rangers 6-3.

[Żoso]

"Let's play a one game playoff to determine who gets to play in a one game playoff to see who makes the playoffs." - MLB logic.

Selig you old coot. January 2015 and the changes it brings cannot come soon enough.

Prediction time: This one goes into extra innings. Rangers win on a single from Beltre in the 11th.

[fundmark19]

Rays win 4-2 rally in 7th

Let's go rays game time

[fundmark19]

Woo rays take early lead!!!

[fundmark19]

Evan bomb!!! 3-0 rays

Kinsler just hit a blooper 3-1

[CofR]

Rangers score a run, entertaining game.