MLB 2011!!

[SlowwHand]

That's nice, Sloww, but the Rangers outscored the Yankees 2 to 1. They won convincingly, and it wasn't 1 play here or there that led to the Rangers victory (situational tactics). Further, to the extent that Ron Washington had a major impact, it was probably in game 1 - a game the Rangers should have won, but lost.

I'm not trying to rip the guy or anything, but I really don't understand how you can think what you appear to think (that Ron Washington's "gut" was a key element in the ALCS, opposed by Joe Girardi's "stats" which suck).

-Arrian

I don't care if you understand it or not. I already pointed out the 2-1 scoring differential. And it was caused, in large part, by Washington's strategy on how the team would play. You don't agree and that's fine. I don't care.

[Imran Siddiqui]

There is a rumor that in order to placate both those who want more playoff teams and those who want the division win to mean more that MLB may be adding a Wild Card play in game. Basically they would add one more WC in each league and those WCs would play like a 3 game series to determine who gets to play the #1 seed. I like this being someone who isn't a fan of the WC in the first place... because this way the division winner gets more rest and the WC team has use its best pitchers in the play in. It gives more of an incentive to win your division.

[-Jrabbit]

And can push the WS even deeper into November. Oh joy!

[Imran Siddiqui]

Well I prefer my alternative... getting rid of the Wild Card altogether .

[Ming]

Maybe if they didn't have soo many DAMN off days, they could have the extra round and STILL BE DONE by November. This is baseball, not football. They don't need tons of off days. I know the network wants there weekend and primetime games, but this is simply silly.

[-Jrabbit]

When you look at it, it seems reasonable - 2 days off for a 7-game series. The real problem is days off between series, and the fact that they lock in the schedule as if all series will go the max (which is actually pretty unusual these days). As a result, you've got teams sitting on their butts for days, and significant loss of news coverage. The WS now competes with all three of the other major pro sports, plus college football, plus the NASCAR trophy series. And team depth (esp. pitching), which is a critical component of success, becomes almost meaningless, as top-of-rotation pitching becomes the entire strategic focus.

I'd strongly prefer to see some MLB flexibility in making schedule adjustments for short series, and a schedule that approximates in-season ball -- six games a week. It would make for more interesting strategic options, reward quality depth, and reduce the dominance of 2-man rotations, all while keeping the playoffs in the media eye. Not to mention a greater likelihood of playing in reasonable baseball weather.

But it will never happen as long as Bud "Bettman" Selig is in charge.

[Arrian]

The off-days are the problem. Reduce them and it all works out. Also, adding more teams to the playoffs is a ****ty idea. No.

IF there is eventual expansion, they can go to 4 divisions and no wild cards. Until such time, the present system is fine (though I'd prefer all playoff series be 7-gamers, but cut down on the off-days and possibly build some double-headers back into the regular season to shorten it up a bit).

-Arrian

[Arrian]

I don't care if you understand it or not. I already pointed out the 2-1 scoring differential. And it was caused, in large part, by Washington's strategy on how the team would play. You don't agree and that's fine. I don't care.

Fair enough.

I assume that if SF wins the WS, Ron Washington will suddenly be an idiot.

-Arrian

[SlowwHand]

That would be a pretty stupid assumption without seeing the games and finding out what went wrong exactly for the Rangers, but feel free.

[Boris Godunov]

What went wrong exactly for the Rangers?

[SlowwHand]

Lee had a bad night. Vlad Guerrero showed why he's a DH and not an OF. Three errors (at my last count). The Giants are good enough to also be playing in the World Series. Take your pick. I'd say all of the above. I also said Rangers in 6. What else, wise ass?

[Imran Siddiqui]

Well... so much for that Game 1 pitchers duel...

[Imran Siddiqui]

I'd strongly prefer to see some MLB flexibility in making schedule adjustments for short series, and a schedule that approximates in-season ball -- six games a week. It would make for more interesting strategic options, reward quality depth, and reduce the dominance of 2-man rotations, all while keeping the playoffs in the media eye. Not to mention a greater likelihood of playing in reasonable baseball weather.

But it will never happen as long as Bud "Bettman" Selig is in charge.

Um, it'll never happen as long as baseball is a business.

Also, Bud Selig is probably the most unfairly maligned commissioner in the history of sports.

[OzzyKP]

Well... so much for that Game 1 pitchers duel...

They were just waiting for Game 2, haha.

[SlowwHand]

That's nice, Sloww, but the Rangers outscored the Yankees 2 to 1. They won convincingly, and it wasn't 1 play here or there that led to the Rangers victory (situational tactics). Further, to the extent that Ron Washington had a major impact, it was probably in game 1 - a game the Rangers should have won, but lost.

I'm not trying to rip the guy or anything, but I really don't understand how you can think what you appear to think (that Ron Washington's "gut" was a key element in the ALCS, opposed by Joe Girardi's "stats" which suck).

-Arrian

Well, it hasn't been Washington's fault. So far, the Rangers have taken him out of the game. They're in a deep hole now. I think I've missed on 6. It'll probably take 7.
I still think they can do it.