MLB 2013

[Fircoal]

I went with a bunch of my cousins to the White Sox vs. Tigers game last night in Detroit. Rode to the stadium with my sister and brother in law. Top of the ninth, after Chicago scored three more times to make it 6-0, bro-in-law asks if I want to leave now. I say hell no, I paid for these tickets damn it, I want to see the end of this miserable carnage. Tons of other people left though.

Bottom of the ninth, Tigers score 6 runs of their own to tie it. Because of all the empty seats, we get to move down closer to watch the extra innings. Detroit would win it in the 12th, completing their biggest 9th inning comeback in 66 years. And that is why I never leave a sporting event until it's over.

Bollocks.

That game was ridiculous. White Sox suck badly.

[Sackett58]

I went with a bunch of my cousins to the White Sox vs. Tigers game last night in Detroit. Rode to the stadium with my sister and brother in law. Top of the ninth, after Chicago scored three more times to make it 6-0, bro-in-law asks if I want to leave now. I say hell no, I paid for these tickets damn it, I want to see the end of this miserable carnage. Tons of other people left though.

Bottom of the ninth, Tigers score 6 runs of their own to tie it. Because of all the empty seats, we get to move down closer to watch the extra innings. Detroit would win it in the 12th, completing their biggest 9th inning comeback in 66 years. And that is why I never leave a sporting event until it's over.

Bollocks.

I was the same way until I had kids. lol

[Army of GOD]

I think it depends on the travel situation. This one time my family and I went to a Yankees game and it took 2 hours to leave the parking lot afterwards...

[strike wolf]

So Braves clinched though they kind of staggered across that last lap. Traditional Braves play would suggest that they are going to rest their way into the playoffs now but I hope they don't too much because I'd like to seem the still clinch the #1 spot in the NL (We're as good as anyone at home, would like to see home field advantage for as long as possible) and after a some what cool month, I'd like to see them get hot again for the play-offs.

[deathcomesrippin]

So Braves clinched though they kind of staggered across that last lap. Traditional Braves play would suggest that they are going to rest their way into the playoffs now but I hope they don't too much because I'd like to seem the still clinch the #1 spot in the NL (We're as good as anyone at home, would like to see home field advantage for as long as possible) and after a some what cool month, I'd like to see them get hot again for the play-offs.

I am just happy we can skip that terrible 1 game playoff situation. Garbage, that is.

[strike wolf]

So Braves clinched though they kind of staggered across that last lap. Traditional Braves play would suggest that they are going to rest their way into the playoffs now but I hope they don't too much because I'd like to seem the still clinch the #1 spot in the NL (We're as good as anyone at home, would like to see home field advantage for as long as possible) and after a some what cool month, I'd like to see them get hot again for the play-offs.

I am just happy we can skip that terrible 1 game playoff situation. Garbage, that is.

Truer words are rarely spoken. I feel sorry for Cincy and the other Central team that has to deal with that.

[Night Strike]

An infield single on the last out.

[Serbia]

An infield single on the last out.

Was watching ESPN 2. They cut in live with one out in the 9th. Hence, I blame them for the jinx.

Bollocks.

[Fircoal]

So Braves clinched though they kind of staggered across that last lap. Traditional Braves play would suggest that they are going to rest their way into the playoffs now but I hope they don't too much because I'd like to seem the still clinch the #1 spot in the NL (We're as good as anyone at home, would like to see home field advantage for as long as possible) and after a some what cool month, I'd like to see them get hot again for the play-offs.

I am just happy we can skip that terrible 1 game playoff situation. Garbage, that is.

I don't think it's that bad if the teams are close. However there are some circumstances where it can look hideous. (Like if it were there for the 2001 playoffs. )

[deathcomesrippin]

So Braves clinched though they kind of staggered across that last lap. Traditional Braves play would suggest that they are going to rest their way into the playoffs now but I hope they don't too much because I'd like to seem the still clinch the #1 spot in the NL (We're as good as anyone at home, would like to see home field advantage for as long as possible) and after a some what cool month, I'd like to see them get hot again for the play-offs.

I am just happy we can skip that terrible 1 game playoff situation. Garbage, that is.

I don't think it's that bad if the teams are close. However there are some circumstances where it can look hideous. (Like if it were there for the 2001 playoffs. )

My problem with the 1 game playoff is that there is absolutely no precedence for it in baseball apart from actual tie breakers. It's the same as the ASG deciding the home field advantage; there is no rhyme nor reason, and traditionally it bucks everything baseball was built upon. To have your 162 game season decided by a single playoff game, especially when you are ahead of the team you are playing in the standings, makes no sense.

Baseball is a marathon, with teams playing 5+ games every week for months on end. It may not be as physically demanding as or as fast paced as other pro sports, but it is far more of an endurance match. You go out there day in and day out, or every 5th day, and you hope your team wins. At times you play 6+ hours in a single day, same position, hoping to hit the ball once a game for a decent outing. This isn't a sport that is decided by a single playoff game, or where a huge single game performance changes the season. This is a sport where you earn you place in the standings through quality games over and over again. Winning streaks in baseball don't matter nearly as much as other sports, a 5 or even a 10 game streak can be wiped away just as easily as it was gained. We have players who make top money simply because they have proven they play without injury, or play through it, even if they aren't great players. To have your entire season decided in 1 game, especially in the case of whatever central team ends up with the better record this year, is appalling to me as a baseball fan. It took me years to accept the wild card, and I know I will never accept this one game playoff garbage. Not in baseball.

[Night Strike]

An infield single on the last out.

Was watching ESPN 2. They cut in live with one out in the 9th. Hence, I blame them for the jinx.

Bollocks.

They show the last inning of any potential no-hitter or perfect game as long as a news/talk program is on.

[oVo]

I feel sorry for Cincy and the other Central team that has to deal with that.

It's the Pirates. The Wildcard should be a Best of Three
and not a sudden death game for the playoff slot.

[strike wolf]

I feel sorry for Cincy and the other Central team that has to deal with that.

It's the Pirates. The Wildcard should be a Best of Three
and not a sudden death game for the playoff slot.

It's technically still undecided.

[oVo]

I hear ya, the Central isn't a lock for the Cardinals with the Pirates two games out and the Reds a game behind them.

How many games remain? The AL Wildcard contenders are all on decent win streaks with Tampa Bay one game out front.

[chapcrap]

The Cardinals have it wrapped up by now.

As far as the Wild Card goes, I don't much like the one game playoff, but it's fair enough, IMO. Win your division and it's not an issue.

[Fircoal]

So Braves clinched though they kind of staggered across that last lap. Traditional Braves play would suggest that they are going to rest their way into the playoffs now but I hope they don't too much because I'd like to seem the still clinch the #1 spot in the NL (We're as good as anyone at home, would like to see home field advantage for as long as possible) and after a some what cool month, I'd like to see them get hot again for the play-offs.

I am just happy we can skip that terrible 1 game playoff situation. Garbage, that is.

I don't think it's that bad if the teams are close. However there are some circumstances where it can look hideous. (Like if it were there for the 2001 playoffs. )

My problem with the 1 game playoff is that there is absolutely no precedence for it in baseball apart from actual tie breakers. It's the same as the ASG deciding the home field advantage; there is no rhyme nor reason, and traditionally it bucks everything baseball was built upon. To have your 162 game season decided by a single playoff game, especially when you are ahead of the team you are playing in the standings, makes no sense.

Baseball is a marathon, with teams playing 5+ games every week for months on end. It may not be as physically demanding as or as fast paced as other pro sports, but it is far more of an endurance match. You go out there day in and day out, or every 5th day, and you hope your team wins. At times you play 6+ hours in a single day, same position, hoping to hit the ball once a game for a decent outing. This isn't a sport that is decided by a single playoff game, or where a huge single game performance changes the season. This is a sport where you earn you place in the standings through quality games over and over again. Winning streaks in baseball don't matter nearly as much as other sports, a 5 or even a 10 game streak can be wiped away just as easily as it was gained. We have players who make top money simply because they have proven they play without injury, or play through it, even if they aren't great players. To have your entire season decided in 1 game, especially in the case of whatever central team ends up with the better record this year, is appalling to me as a baseball fan. It took me years to accept the wild card, and I know I will never accept this one game playoff garbage. Not in baseball.

I don't disagree, but I can see why they put it there. Personally I think if they put in some restrictions to what it can be it can could make the wild card better. (Basically to make it more sure that the team did earn it)

[thegreekdog]

I wonder how much incremental income is gained by having a one-game playoff. I suppose you'd have to have more data over a period of years. And you'd need to take into account potential receipts depending upon the winner.

For example, let's say the Yankees and Rays had to play a one game playoff and Tampa won. I'm sure that one game was an increase to overall income, but to have Tampa in the playoffs instead of the Yankees is probably an incremental decrease in income in the first round of the playoffs.

In any event, baseball did it for financial reasons.

[Night Strike]

I wonder how much incremental income is gained by having a one-game playoff. I suppose you'd have to have more data over a period of years. And you'd need to take into account potential receipts depending upon the winner.

For example, let's say the Yankees and Rays had to play a one game playoff and Tampa won. I'm sure that one game was an increase to overall income, but to have Tampa in the playoffs instead of the Yankees is probably an incremental decrease in income in the first round of the playoffs.

In any event, baseball did it for financial reasons.

You'd also have to add in the extra tickets sold during the last two weeks of the regular season due to more teams still being alive in the race.

[thegreekdog]

I wonder how much incremental income is gained by having a one-game playoff. I suppose you'd have to have more data over a period of years. And you'd need to take into account potential receipts depending upon the winner.

For example, let's say the Yankees and Rays had to play a one game playoff and Tampa won. I'm sure that one game was an increase to overall income, but to have Tampa in the playoffs instead of the Yankees is probably an incremental decrease in income in the first round of the playoffs.

In any event, baseball did it for financial reasons.

You'd also have to add in the extra tickets sold during the last two weeks of the regular season due to more teams still being alive in the race.

Good point.

[oVo]

Do you think baseball was better before it became big business? There was a time when even World Series Games were played in daylight.

Pittsburgh faces off one more time against Cincinnati,
while the AL Wild Card spots are still up for grabs...
but Tampa & Cleveland are now tied with Texas 1 back
and two games remain to be played.

Also Atlanta & St.Louis are tied for best NL record,
while Boston has that wrapped up for the AL.

[Fircoal]

Marlins had a walk-off no-hitter today against the Tigers. Imagine that. x3 Isn't baseball amazing?

[Army of GOD]

Well, for those who hate the one game playoff, now there's going to be TWO one game playoffs...pretty interesting. Was hoping the Indians would lose so there'd be three one game playoffs.

also, props to Francona. Best manager since 2004, and yes, I am very biased.

[oVo]

The Indians won ten in a row to avoid an extra one game playoff,
while the Rangers had to sweep the Angels to get here.

Texas & Tampa are both 8-2 over their last ten games.

[Sackett58]

I wonder who Boston wants to face out of this wild card elimination.

[deathcomesrippin]

I wonder who Boston wants to face out of this wild card elimination.

To be honest, I would always want to face Tampa Bay if I had the choice of Texas or them. As good as both teams are, facing Darvish is essentially 1 loss in the books and they can always put runs up in a good fashion on any given day. Being a Braves fan, I would be worried about facing Detroit or Texas in the WS.