[quote]LankyMofo wrote:
Which makes it that much more embarrassing when it backfires.
[/quote]
You know what’s even more embarassing? 95% of pitcher at bats.
I want to see the rules changed so that both leagues have to bat the pitcher for exactly half of the games. Manager’s choice. But it has to be half the games.
[quote]therajraj wrote:
[quote]LankyMofo wrote:
[quote]therajraj wrote:
Pitching around the #8 hitter to get to the pitcher is fucking gay. Hate it. In the AL when a player is pitched around it’s to get to a hitter that the pitcher better matches up to/ a player who is slumping. In the NL it’s to pitch to someone who can’t fucking hit. [/quote]
Which makes it that much more embarrassing when it backfires.
The AL basically lets players play 1/2 the game (both the pitcher and the DH). That’s GAY!
The AL says “Oh, you’re the pitcher. We’ll let you sit this one out because you’re not that good at it.” The NL says “we don’t give a shit if you’re the pitcher, you have to bat because that’s what men do.” [/quote]
lol come on man, why the hell do you event want to watch the pitcher hit? Simply because you view it as the “manly” way to play the game? I’m all about the quality of play. Plus I don’t see a point in increasing risk of potential injury to the pitcher. [/quote]
Haha, I personally don’t care either way. I actually like that both leagues do it differently. It adds another aspect of the game in interleague play.
Edit: But I’m convinced there is no reason that pitchers don’t have the ability to be good hitters. The best pitchers on high school teams are typically the best athletes and are great at the plate as well. Somewhere between high school and the major leagues they lose the ability to hit because no one makes them practice it.
[quote]LankyMofo wrote:
[quote]therajraj wrote:
[quote]LankyMofo wrote:
[quote]therajraj wrote:
Pitching around the #8 hitter to get to the pitcher is fucking gay. Hate it. In the AL when a player is pitched around it’s to get to a hitter that the pitcher better matches up to/ a player who is slumping. In the NL it’s to pitch to someone who can’t fucking hit. [/quote]
Which makes it that much more embarrassing when it backfires.
The AL basically lets players play 1/2 the game (both the pitcher and the DH). That’s GAY!
The AL says “Oh, you’re the pitcher. We’ll let you sit this one out because you’re not that good at it.” The NL says “we don’t give a shit if you’re the pitcher, you have to bat because that’s what men do.” [/quote]
lol come on man, why the hell do you event want to watch the pitcher hit? Simply because you view it as the “manly” way to play the game? I’m all about the quality of play. Plus I don’t see a point in increasing risk of potential injury to the pitcher. [/quote]
Haha, I personally don’t care either way. I actually like that both leagues do it differently. It adds another aspect of the game in interleague play.
Edit: But I’m convinced there is no reason that pitchers don’t have the ability to be good hitters. The best pitchers on high school teams are typically the best athletes and are great at the plate as well. Somewhere between high school and the major leagues they lose the ability to hit because no one makes them practice it. [/quote]
There are more guys that can throw really hard then can hit a really hard fastball. Lets forget about controlling the pitch for this scenario lol. Hitting is hard. Rick Ankiel is an anomaly. But quite a few position players have been converted to pitchers because they couldnt hit.
Guys dont lose the ability to hit between high school and the pros. The runts that dont throw 90mph get weeded out along the way. Meaning the kids who could rake in HS against guys topping out at 70-75 on average now have to face 85mph on average at D1 college and 90mph average at the lowest pro ball level. Not practicing it plays a part but not everyone can hit a 90mph fastball no matter how much they practice.
[quote]BONEZ217 wrote:
[quote]LankyMofo wrote:
[quote]therajraj wrote:
[quote]LankyMofo wrote:
[quote]therajraj wrote:
Pitching around the #8 hitter to get to the pitcher is fucking gay. Hate it. In the AL when a player is pitched around it’s to get to a hitter that the pitcher better matches up to/ a player who is slumping. In the NL it’s to pitch to someone who can’t fucking hit. [/quote]
Which makes it that much more embarrassing when it backfires.
The AL basically lets players play 1/2 the game (both the pitcher and the DH). That’s GAY!
The AL says “Oh, you’re the pitcher. We’ll let you sit this one out because you’re not that good at it.” The NL says “we don’t give a shit if you’re the pitcher, you have to bat because that’s what men do.” [/quote]
lol come on man, why the hell do you event want to watch the pitcher hit? Simply because you view it as the “manly” way to play the game? I’m all about the quality of play. Plus I don’t see a point in increasing risk of potential injury to the pitcher. [/quote]
Haha, I personally don’t care either way. I actually like that both leagues do it differently. It adds another aspect of the game in interleague play.
Edit: But I’m convinced there is no reason that pitchers don’t have the ability to be good hitters. The best pitchers on high school teams are typically the best athletes and are great at the plate as well. Somewhere between high school and the major leagues they lose the ability to hit because no one makes them practice it. [/quote]
There are more guys that can throw really hard then can hit a really hard fastball. Lets forget about controlling the pitch for this scenario lol. Hitting is hard. Rick Ankiel is an anomaly. But quite a few position players have been converted to pitchers because they couldnt hit.
Guys dont lose the ability to hit between high school and the pros. The runts that dont throw 90mph get weeded out along the way. Meaning the kids who could rake in HS against guys topping out at 70-75 on average now have to face 85mph on average at D1 college and 90mph average at the lowest pro ball level. Not practicing it plays a part but not everyone can hit a 90mph fastball no matter how much they practice.
[/quote]
For the most part I agree, I’m not expecting pitchers to hit .300. But many of these pitchers are hitting < .100 which I chalk up to simply not being forced to practice hitting. I’m convinced many pitchers can hit .200+.
And this is a pathetic showing for the Twins this post season. Just pathetic.
[quote]LankyMofo wrote:
[quote]BONEZ217 wrote:
[quote]LankyMofo wrote:
[quote]therajraj wrote:
[quote]LankyMofo wrote:
[quote]therajraj wrote:
Pitching around the #8 hitter to get to the pitcher is fucking gay. Hate it. In the AL when a player is pitched around it’s to get to a hitter that the pitcher better matches up to/ a player who is slumping. In the NL it’s to pitch to someone who can’t fucking hit. [/quote]
Which makes it that much more embarrassing when it backfires.
The AL basically lets players play 1/2 the game (both the pitcher and the DH). That’s GAY!
The AL says “Oh, you’re the pitcher. We’ll let you sit this one out because you’re not that good at it.” The NL says “we don’t give a shit if you’re the pitcher, you have to bat because that’s what men do.” [/quote]
lol come on man, why the hell do you event want to watch the pitcher hit? Simply because you view it as the “manly” way to play the game? I’m all about the quality of play. Plus I don’t see a point in increasing risk of potential injury to the pitcher. [/quote]
Haha, I personally don’t care either way. I actually like that both leagues do it differently. It adds another aspect of the game in interleague play.
Edit: But I’m convinced there is no reason that pitchers don’t have the ability to be good hitters. The best pitchers on high school teams are typically the best athletes and are great at the plate as well. Somewhere between high school and the major leagues they lose the ability to hit because no one makes them practice it. [/quote]
There are more guys that can throw really hard then can hit a really hard fastball. Lets forget about controlling the pitch for this scenario lol. Hitting is hard. Rick Ankiel is an anomaly. But quite a few position players have been converted to pitchers because they couldnt hit.
Guys dont lose the ability to hit between high school and the pros. The runts that dont throw 90mph get weeded out along the way. Meaning the kids who could rake in HS against guys topping out at 70-75 on average now have to face 85mph on average at D1 college and 90mph average at the lowest pro ball level. Not practicing it plays a part but not everyone can hit a 90mph fastball no matter how much they practice.
[/quote]
For the most part I agree, I’m not expecting pitchers to hit .300. But many of these pitchers are hitting < .100 which I chalk up to simply not being forced to practice hitting. I’m convinced many pitchers can hit .200+.[/quote]
Eh I dont know. The infrequency with which they actually see live pitching is a big deal. If position players only faced live pitching once every 5 days there’d be a lot less hall of famers. I think guys like Zambrano and Santana are ridiculous for how well they hit. Lincecum can swing it a bit too. And Sabathia would probably hit 250 with 25 homers if he was a player lol.
[quote]LankyMofo wrote:
And this is a pathetic showing for the Twins this post season. Just pathetic.[/quote]
Imagine the Yankees without Teixiera and Rivera. And then also make every other player worse except the catcher lol.
God I hope Lee doesnt get to pitch twice against the Yanks. I’d love to see the Rays come back and force Lee to pitch again.
[quote]LankyMofo wrote:
And this is a pathetic showing for the Twins this post season. Just pathetic.[/quote]
Actually it’s pretty on par with what they always do, a Great run during the season then get swept by the Yankees in the post season. Heck Even their individual playoff games against the Yankees are predictable. They almost always go something like this:
Score 1-2 runs during innings 1-3
Hold the lead during innings 4-6
Give up a big inning during the 7th (4-6 runs)
Give up a couple add-on runs during the 8th-9th
Get shut out by Mariano
Play Golf
When do they hand out the season awards?
Voting is done already. A week or so after the world series MVP is announced.
[quote]BONEZ217 wrote:
[quote]WestCoast7 wrote:
Not a good performance by the Giants pen. Wilson was called in to take care of a tough situation a simply couldn’t do it. The top closers need to close in the high pressure situations.
Game 3 should be very interesting as Hudson, the comeback pitcher of the year who has some serious experience under his belt, takes on Sanchez who has no playoff experience…[/quote]
Why was Wilson in the game? He’s never thrown a two inning save in his career. There’s like 6 other guys in the bullpen with him. [/quote]
He had eight or nine multi-inning save opportunities this year. He blew two of them. He leads MLB in multi-inning saves since he became the full-time closer. He’s also thrown three straight innings in a tied ballgame on more than one occasion.
[quote]LankyMofo wrote:
[quote]therajraj wrote:
Pitching around the #8 hitter to get to the pitcher is fucking gay. Hate it. In the AL when a player is pitched around it’s to get to a hitter that the pitcher better matches up to/ a player who is slumping. In the NL it’s to pitch to someone who can’t fucking hit. [/quote]
Which makes it that much more embarrassing when it backfires.
The AL basically lets players play 1/2 the game (both the pitcher and the DH). That’s GAY!
The AL says “Oh, you’re the pitcher. We’ll let you sit this one out because you’re not that good at it.” The NL says “we don’t give a shit if you’re the pitcher, you have to bat because that’s what men do.” [/quote]
The NL is a far, far superior form of baseball. The game itself has degenerated a little (in my opinion) with the de-emphasis on basestealing and baserunning in general. But in general the game is in great shape and the NL displays the superior style of play.
The pitcher being a horrible hitter is detrimental to a degree, but so what? In every lineup there are usually a hitter or two who are automatic outs anyways, based on their previous at-bats against that pitcher. For real flamethrowers like Jimenez or Josh Johnson or Mat Latos or even Matt Cain on a good day, they can eliminate a couple hitters right off the bat because they KNOW they can throw the fastball right by him. So on any given night in an AL there are still proverbial “automatic” outs.
But with the automatic out in the same batting slot every game like in the NL all sorts of things can happen. Does the manager take the pitcher out now, or hope he gets through the inning since he’s due up second? Does he waste a relief pitcher for one hitter? Do you walk the 8th hitter with runners on 1st and 2nd and one out to get to the pitcher?
But the real intrigue comes from the way the “automatic” out affects the rest of the lineup. With runs being more of a premium in the NL, teams will play for one run more often. Teams will steal more frequently in the NL. The threat of the steal alone can alter how an inning is played. The threat of the steal is MUCH different than a fast guy at first base.
Bunting is more of a priority, which affects strategy as well. How do the infielders rotate to the bags? Do we go all-out for the lead runner on a bunt with runners at 1st and 2nd or do we take the easy out? Is he even going to bunt at all? If he shows once, will he show bunt again? With a runner on second, do we intentionally walk this guy, knowing that they might bunt everyone over and end up with runners at 2nd and 3rd?
The hit-and-run is much more prevalent as well. Should we take the gamble and try for a 1st and 3rd situation or take the given and go for man on 2nd with one out? Do teams send the runners automatically with a full count? No, it depends on the situation. What type of pitcher is on the mound? Is he a groundball guy or a strikeout/flyball guy? Do you have a good contact hitter at the plate? Good speed at first? Good speed at the plate? How many outs? Who’s up next? Will you send the runner in a 2-2 count? Why? Why not?
Then of course, you have the double switch. With a relief pitcher coming in who’s not a specialty-type but can give you at least one full inning, you don’t want him coming up first the next inning because you’d have to waste him with a pinch hitter. So who comes out of the game along with the current pitcher? Is it the last guy to make an out last inning? Is it the struggling outfielder due up fourth next inning? Is it one of your better hitters who made the second to last out last inning?
And then you have the way pitchers actually go after hitters in the NL. In the AL, it seems that while there is not an “automatic” out to pitch to, there are deeper lineups that play for the big inning more. Which is fine, but I’ve noticed that most of the second-tier pitchers in the AL tend to nibble at the corners more due to the presence of more good hitters. They don’t challenge hitters as much as a result (and also because they know that it’s more likely their own team can come back and score since runs aren’t at the premium that they are in the NL, so why not continue to try and make the perfect pitch?).
What I also notice is that the AL games move along much more slowly. I mean the pace more than the actual length of time. There are usually more runners on base, which drags the game along not because of the extended innings, but because the pitchers tend to slow things down to a grinding halt when things get iffy for them. There are also more pitching changes since all of the pitching changes have no bearing on the lineup. There’s more that is likely to happen with runners on base in an NL game. In the AL, it seems to be much more rare to score a run w/o the benefit of a hit.
I like to see runs scored, but in the NL while runs may not be scored as often, the game as a whole is put on display to a much fuller extent. I think that a lot of people who enjoy the AL version are either a) casual fans or b) did not play the game at a highly competitive level and therefore do not understand the intricacies of the game that are on display much more so in the NL.
Which is understandable. I played Div 1 baseball at a nationally-ranked school and I’ve been a huge fan of the game since I was a child. I understand the intricacies and nuances that are on display much more so than literally every person I have ever watched a game with, but I also know that if I didn’t understand these details that I would find the game boring as hell. In all honesty, baseball IS a boring game for the most part, especially if you’re not privvy to the inner machinations of the game. But I feel that the style of play in the NL is much more fun to watch for those who are aware of the game’s subtleties.
[quote]DBCooper wrote:
[quote]LankyMofo wrote:
[quote]therajraj wrote:
Pitching around the #8 hitter to get to the pitcher is fucking gay. Hate it. In the AL when a player is pitched around it’s to get to a hitter that the pitcher better matches up to/ a player who is slumping. In the NL it’s to pitch to someone who can’t fucking hit. [/quote]
Which makes it that much more embarrassing when it backfires.
The AL basically lets players play 1/2 the game (both the pitcher and the DH). That’s GAY!
The AL says “Oh, you’re the pitcher. We’ll let you sit this one out because you’re not that good at it.” The NL says “we don’t give a shit if you’re the pitcher, you have to bat because that’s what men do.” [/quote]
The NL is a far, far superior form of baseball. The game itself has degenerated a little (in my opinion) with the de-emphasis on basestealing and baserunning in general. But in general the game is in great shape and the NL displays the superior style of play.
The pitcher being a horrible hitter is detrimental to a degree, but so what? In every lineup there are usually a hitter or two who are automatic outs anyways, based on their previous at-bats against that pitcher. For real flamethrowers like Jimenez or Josh Johnson or Mat Latos or even Matt Cain on a good day, they can eliminate a couple hitters right off the bat because they KNOW they can throw the fastball right by him. So on any given night in an AL there are still proverbial “automatic” outs.
But with the automatic out in the same batting slot every game like in the NL all sorts of things can happen. Does the manager take the pitcher out now, or hope he gets through the inning since he’s due up second? Does he waste a relief pitcher for one hitter? Do you walk the 8th hitter with runners on 1st and 2nd and one out to get to the pitcher?
But the real intrigue comes from the way the “automatic” out affects the rest of the lineup. With runs being more of a premium in the NL, teams will play for one run more often. Teams will steal more frequently in the NL. The threat of the steal alone can alter how an inning is played. The threat of the steal is MUCH different than a fast guy at first base.
Bunting is more of a priority, which affects strategy as well. How do the infielders rotate to the bags? Do we go all-out for the lead runner on a bunt with runners at 1st and 2nd or do we take the easy out? Is he even going to bunt at all? If he shows once, will he show bunt again? With a runner on second, do we intentionally walk this guy, knowing that they might bunt everyone over and end up with runners at 2nd and 3rd?
The hit-and-run is much more prevalent as well. Should we take the gamble and try for a 1st and 3rd situation or take the given and go for man on 2nd with one out? Do teams send the runners automatically with a full count? No, it depends on the situation. What type of pitcher is on the mound? Is he a groundball guy or a strikeout/flyball guy? Do you have a good contact hitter at the plate? Good speed at first? Good speed at the plate? How many outs? Who’s up next? Will you send the runner in a 2-2 count? Why? Why not?
Then of course, you have the double switch. With a relief pitcher coming in who’s not a specialty-type but can give you at least one full inning, you don’t want him coming up first the next inning because you’d have to waste him with a pinch hitter. So who comes out of the game along with the current pitcher? Is it the last guy to make an out last inning? Is it the struggling outfielder due up fourth next inning? Is it one of your better hitters who made the second to last out last inning?
And then you have the way pitchers actually go after hitters in the NL. In the AL, it seems that while there is not an “automatic” out to pitch to, there are deeper lineups that play for the big inning more. Which is fine, but I’ve noticed that most of the second-tier pitchers in the AL tend to nibble at the corners more due to the presence of more good hitters. They don’t challenge hitters as much as a result (and also because they know that it’s more likely their own team can come back and score since runs aren’t at the premium that they are in the NL, so why not continue to try and make the perfect pitch?).
What I also notice is that the AL games move along much more slowly. I mean the pace more than the actual length of time. There are usually more runners on base, which drags the game along not because of the extended innings, but because the pitchers tend to slow things down to a grinding halt when things get iffy for them. There are also more pitching changes since all of the pitching changes have no bearing on the lineup. There’s more that is likely to happen with runners on base in an NL game. In the AL, it seems to be much more rare to score a run w/o the benefit of a hit.
I like to see runs scored, but in the NL while runs may not be scored as often, the game as a whole is put on display to a much fuller extent. I think that a lot of people who enjoy the AL version are either a) casual fans or b) did not play the game at a highly competitive level and therefore do not understand the intricacies of the game that are on display much more so in the NL.
Which is understandable. I played Div 1 baseball at a nationally-ranked school and I’ve been a huge fan of the game since I was a child. I understand the intricacies and nuances that are on display much more so than literally every person I have ever watched a game with, but I also know that if I didn’t understand these details that I would find the game boring as hell. In all honesty, baseball IS a boring game for the most part, especially if you’re not privvy to the inner machinations of the game. But I feel that the style of play in the NL is much more fun to watch for those who are aware of the game’s subtleties.[/quote]
Stop word vomiting, nobody is going to read this whole thing.
If you have something to say, find a clear concise way to do so.
I want to hear what you have to say, but there is no way I’m going to take the time to read this thesis statement.
[quote]WestCoast7 wrote:
[quote]DBCooper wrote:
[quote]LankyMofo wrote:
[quote]therajraj wrote:
Pitching around the #8 hitter to get to the pitcher is fucking gay. Hate it. In the AL when a player is pitched around it’s to get to a hitter that the pitcher better matches up to/ a player who is slumping. In the NL it’s to pitch to someone who can’t fucking hit. [/quote]
Which makes it that much more embarrassing when it backfires.
The AL basically lets players play 1/2 the game (both the pitcher and the DH). That’s GAY!
The AL says “Oh, you’re the pitcher. We’ll let you sit this one out because you’re not that good at it.” The NL says “we don’t give a shit if you’re the pitcher, you have to bat because that’s what men do.” [/quote]
The NL is a far, far superior form of baseball. The game itself has degenerated a little (in my opinion) with the de-emphasis on basestealing and baserunning in general. But in general the game is in great shape and the NL displays the superior style of play.
The pitcher being a horrible hitter is detrimental to a degree, but so what? In every lineup there are usually a hitter or two who are automatic outs anyways, based on their previous at-bats against that pitcher. For real flamethrowers like Jimenez or Josh Johnson or Mat Latos or even Matt Cain on a good day, they can eliminate a couple hitters right off the bat because they KNOW they can throw the fastball right by him. So on any given night in an AL there are still proverbial “automatic” outs.
But with the automatic out in the same batting slot every game like in the NL all sorts of things can happen. Does the manager take the pitcher out now, or hope he gets through the inning since he’s due up second? Does he waste a relief pitcher for one hitter? Do you walk the 8th hitter with runners on 1st and 2nd and one out to get to the pitcher?
But the real intrigue comes from the way the “automatic” out affects the rest of the lineup. With runs being more of a premium in the NL, teams will play for one run more often. Teams will steal more frequently in the NL. The threat of the steal alone can alter how an inning is played. The threat of the steal is MUCH different than a fast guy at first base.
Bunting is more of a priority, which affects strategy as well. How do the infielders rotate to the bags? Do we go all-out for the lead runner on a bunt with runners at 1st and 2nd or do we take the easy out? Is he even going to bunt at all? If he shows once, will he show bunt again? With a runner on second, do we intentionally walk this guy, knowing that they might bunt everyone over and end up with runners at 2nd and 3rd?
The hit-and-run is much more prevalent as well. Should we take the gamble and try for a 1st and 3rd situation or take the given and go for man on 2nd with one out? Do teams send the runners automatically with a full count? No, it depends on the situation. What type of pitcher is on the mound? Is he a groundball guy or a strikeout/flyball guy? Do you have a good contact hitter at the plate? Good speed at first? Good speed at the plate? How many outs? Who’s up next? Will you send the runner in a 2-2 count? Why? Why not?
Then of course, you have the double switch. With a relief pitcher coming in who’s not a specialty-type but can give you at least one full inning, you don’t want him coming up first the next inning because you’d have to waste him with a pinch hitter. So who comes out of the game along with the current pitcher? Is it the last guy to make an out last inning? Is it the struggling outfielder due up fourth next inning? Is it one of your better hitters who made the second to last out last inning?
And then you have the way pitchers actually go after hitters in the NL. In the AL, it seems that while there is not an “automatic” out to pitch to, there are deeper lineups that play for the big inning more. Which is fine, but I’ve noticed that most of the second-tier pitchers in the AL tend to nibble at the corners more due to the presence of more good hitters. They don’t challenge hitters as much as a result (and also because they know that it’s more likely their own team can come back and score since runs aren’t at the premium that they are in the NL, so why not continue to try and make the perfect pitch?).
What I also notice is that the AL games move along much more slowly. I mean the pace more than the actual length of time. There are usually more runners on base, which drags the game along not because of the extended innings, but because the pitchers tend to slow things down to a grinding halt when things get iffy for them. There are also more pitching changes since all of the pitching changes have no bearing on the lineup. There’s more that is likely to happen with runners on base in an NL game. In the AL, it seems to be much more rare to score a run w/o the benefit of a hit.
I like to see runs scored, but in the NL while runs may not be scored as often, the game as a whole is put on display to a much fuller extent. I think that a lot of people who enjoy the AL version are either a) casual fans or b) did not play the game at a highly competitive level and therefore do not understand the intricacies of the game that are on display much more so in the NL.
Which is understandable. I played Div 1 baseball at a nationally-ranked school and I’ve been a huge fan of the game since I was a child. I understand the intricacies and nuances that are on display much more so than literally every person I have ever watched a game with, but I also know that if I didn’t understand these details that I would find the game boring as hell. In all honesty, baseball IS a boring game for the most part, especially if you’re not privvy to the inner machinations of the game. But I feel that the style of play in the NL is much more fun to watch for those who are aware of the game’s subtleties.[/quote]
Stop word vomiting, nobody is going to read this whole thing.
If you have something to say, find a clear concise way to do so.
I want to hear what you have to say, but there is no way I’m going to take the time to read this thesis statement.[/quote]
Cliff notes??
Sanchez pitched beautifully, but damn fuckn romo giving up that HR. FUCKN SHIT.
Hinske is the secret weapon to get to the WS
DB basically said smallball is superior. What you essentially said, DB, is that having another shitty hitter in the lineup makes the game better. Either way, 10 out of the last 15 years the AL has won the world series.
At first I was running around my living room like “ERIC FUCKIN HINSKEEEE!”
Then I was throwing up saying “Brooks fuckin Conrad” Little League fundamentals failVOMIT
FUCKING GIANTS!!!WHOOOOOOOOO!!!
What I’m getting at with the NL/AL thing is this: with the pitcher in the lineup as a hitter, there are more strategical moves when this spot comes up for both managers, especially in late innings. Also, since there is a very poor hitter in the lineup for the first 5-6 innings or so, runs are scored that much less frequently and make the need to execute properly (for both sides) when the ninth hitter is up.
The pitcher hitting basically just creates a scenario where there are less runs scored, but each run is more important as a result and the way teams go about getting them becomes wider and more varied. Some people like to see home runs, and I certainly do as well, but in the NL there is a higher premium placed on playing for one run in an inning than there is in the AL so the offenses take risks/sacrifices in the NL that they wouldn’t in the AL.
Plus, it’s not like the NL has a bunch of punching-Judy hitters compared to the AL. There’s still plenty of power in the NL with guys like Tulowitzki, Gonzalez, Pujols, Holliday, Votto, Fielder and H. Ramirez.
[quote]thefederalist wrote:
DB basically said smallball is superior. What you essentially said, DB, is that having another shitty hitter in the lineup makes the game better. Either way, 10 out of the last 15 years the AL has won the world series. [/quote]
That’s simply because there are two teams in the AL in Bos and NY that are capable of amassing much more talent than any team in the NL. So of course the AL is going to have the better collection of players most of the time. But this has nothing to do with the style of play in the AL versus the NL.
It’s simply a money thing. The Yankees and the Red Sox get more money because of TV revenue. Tons of people watch them because they are the two dominant teams in the largest baseball markets in the country. If they were NL teams or the Dodgers and the Cardinals started pulling in that kind of cash from TV, they’d be just as stacked either way.