Odds and Your pick to win the 2025 World Series?

[lith leo]

I agree that the wildcard is questionable. Can take away from the old school game, which I really prefer.

But the wildcard means more playoff games. Now what could be done about having more primetime wildcard games considering that would push games into November. Could have the World Series at a dome or warm weather city in a neutral location. Kinda like the Super Bowl. Obviously it is simply a consideration. It obviously would have its criticism.

As for baseball purity, which is I believe another term for the way the game used to be played. I am against a pitcher having to face three hitters. I am against the designated hitter. I am against the runner on second base in extra ends. I don’t like the 30 second pitch clock. I don’t like the pitcher only being able to check back the runner twice …I have brought this up before most, especially the rule where a pitcher brought into a game has to face three hitters or at least complete the half inning…. takes away from the managerial decision-making. The left-handed specialist the right hand specialist. Of course the DH takes a removes the crucial decision of the manager used to have late in the game to stick with a pitcher performing well or put in the pinch hitter. I completely understand the argument against all of these points. But it is what it is I enjoyed the longer games.

I probably agree with everything you said.

The DH is a prime example of an organization wanting and eating cake, too. I can't count the number of times a pitcher would go to the plate and take a 3 pitch strikeout. It took 60 seconds--if that long. The DH lengthened the game.

And ya, relief pitching has added a lot of time. Also, instant replay.

I am guessing there are more ads than ever, but I've yet to find stats to back that up. Perhaps I can find and listen to a game from 1940 with all the ads and time it. lol

 

[Anathema]

After trading away Devers a lot of folks are surprised they are even in the playoffs.

I’m one of those people. I think it was a major mistake for them to make the playoffs. Now ownership can claim they’re on the right track and not engage in the full-blown enema the team needs.

 

[Harry Dresden]

I’m one of those people. I think it was a major mistake for them to make the playoffs. Now ownership can claim they’re on the right track and not engage in the full-blown enema the team needs.

if they won more games then the teams that did not make it....how was it a mistake they made it?....

 

[CrusaderFrank]

 

[Mr Natural]

It’s the Yankees time!

It’s been like 16 years since their last win. Unheard of!

 

[odanny]

Yankees for sure, Boston has to win game 1 to have a chance, and they have their ace on the mound today. Boston has won 9 of 13 this season, but the Yankees were not playing as well then, now they seem to have found their groove.

Garrett Crochet has been great this season and if he wins today, I see a path. If he loses, it's over for the Sox in this series, even with their comeback history.

Making a career-high 32 starts, Crochet led the AL with 205 1/3 innings. His teammates call him Beast because of his nasty arsenal. Crochet has translated it into dominance, leading MLB with 255 strikeouts. Most people consider Crochet to be Boston’s Most Valuable Player this season. He is the biggest reason the club snapped a three-year postseason drought.

https://www.mlb.com/player/garrett-crochet-676979

 

[odanny]

How about the Houston Astros ending their eight year postseason streak?

Now what is mattress Mac going to do?

Mattress Mack won either way, he bet the Astros to win, and if they did, it covered his furniture giveaway, if they lose, everyone bought a bunch of furniture. Smart businessman and promoter.

 

[leftwinger]

I agree that the wildcard is questionable. Can take away from the old school game, which I really prefer.

But the wildcard means more playoff games. Now what could be done about having more primetime wildcard games considering that would push games into November. Could have the World Series at a dome or warm weather city in a neutral location. Kinda like the Super Bowl. Obviously it is simply a consideration. It obviously would have its criticism.

As for baseball purity, which is I believe another term for the way the game used to be played. I am against a pitcher having to face three hitters. I am against the designated hitter. I am against the runner on second base in extra ends. I don’t like the 30 second pitch clock. I don’t like the pitcher only being able to check back the runner twice …I have brought this up before most, especially the rule where a pitcher brought into a game has to face three hitters or at least complete the half inning…. takes away from the managerial decision-making. The left-handed specialist the right hand specialist. Of course the DH takes a removes the crucial decision of the manager used to have late in the game to stick with a pitcher performing well or put in the pinch hitter. I completely understand the argument against all of these points. But it is what it is I enjoyed the longer games.

I agree that the wildcard is questionable. Can take away from the old school game, which I really prefer.

But the wildcard means more playoff games. Now what could be done about having more primetime wildcard games considering that would push games into November. Could have the World Series at a dome or warm weather city in a neutral location. Kinda like the Super Bowl. Obviously it is simply a consideration. It obviously would have its criticism.

As for baseball purity, which is I believe another term for the way the game used to be played. I am against a pitcher having to face three hitters. I am against the designated hitter. I am against the runner on second base in extra ends. I don’t like the 30 second pitch clock. I don’t like the pitcher only being able to check back the runner twice …I have brought this up before most, especially the rule where a pitcher brought into a game has to face three hitters or at least complete the half inning…. takes away from the managerial decision-making. The left-handed specialist the right hand specialist. Of course the DH takes a removes the crucial decision of the manager used to have late in the game to stick with a pitcher performing well or put in the pinch hitter. I completely understand the argument against all of these points. But it is what it is I enjoyed the longer games.

Great post. On pitch clock, The slow play, the stepping out of box re-adjusting going theu some repetitive mental timed setup is annoying. Same with pitcher staring in 10 sec. After so long to get ready. But, its always been like that so?

 

[leftwinger]

3 batter rule blows. Totally changed the game.

I counter with why 8 warmip pitches? Are you crazy? You don't get warmup at the free throw line to win a game. Or throw an NFL pass.

They already warmed up 30 min sometimes! WTH? Give them one pitch to check the already perfect mound. Play forking ball for the love of God.

Bob Gibson and others used to get it and throw it. If you played games at the plate he took notes. Get the batters in the box or call a strike!!!

 

[leftwinger]

All the batter armor worn and allowed. Many don't care to be hit in some places? I guess it balances out? Hindering hitting perhaps?

 

[Andrew_Jackson_FTW]

Here we go. Weird start for the first game two pitches 2 out and then the tigers manage a run with two bloop hits.

 

[leftwinger]

Off topic but funny. Few years back watching game on TV in FLA. So dead late. So few fans. So quiet. Pitcher gets ready to take the rubber. A phone rings loudly, everyone hears it. It was the bullpen phone like a 1975 rotary wall mounted old time ring. Pitcher laughed so hard, he had to walk off.

 

[Andrew_Jackson_FTW]

All the batter armor worn and allowed. Many don't care to be hit in some places? I guess it balances out? Hindering hitting perhaps?

I know blaze Alexander from the Diamondbacks didn’t have an elbow guard, then he got hit by a picture in the elbow. ..Then he started wearing the elbow guard.

It certainly wasn’t as much of a thing back in the day. But I do recall Barry Bonds having the elbow guard to.

 

[Andrew_Jackson_FTW]

Wow you can get tickets on Ticketmaster and have some pretty decent seats for game 2 in Cleveland tomorrow.

That’s what a 1 PM game on a weekday get you I suppose.

 

[Harry Dresden]

if Skubal is on and the pitch count aint to bad they should let him go all the way...

 

[leftwinger]

Ramirez cant do it all. He worked his walk. Next guy looked like it was his first AB ever vs. Skoubsl. Then a LHB with no chance. UGH.


Safe! easy one at home. How do they miss so many easy ones?

 

[odanny]

Thank God for instant replay. Already the ump is calling strikes out of the zone

 

[Andrew_Jackson_FTW]

Tough run for Cleveland to give up late in the game. Give the Tigers a lead. Perhaps they should’ve had the corners in. But I’m not doubting the manager of the guardians. He is a great coach.

Tough spot there with runners on the corners and one out on the top of the seventh. Noel could have also made the play earlier then the ending with a run-on second base oh well that’s how it goes

 

[Andrew_Jackson_FTW]

Ramirez cant do it all. He worked his walk. Next guy looked like it was his first AB ever vs. Skoubsl. Then a LHB with no chance. UGH.


Safe! easy one at home. How do they miss so many easy ones?

Well, the guardians had the lowest team batting average to make the playoffs in MLB history.

They get the wins through great coaching in my opinion. Playing small ball. Bunting, good coaching decisions. Late in the season they have had some great pitching.

Ramirez and Kwan are the best hopes for Cleveland hitting wise… which is why sometimes I wonder if Ramirez should be batting second instead of third to get as many at bats as possible.

 

[Andrew_Jackson_FTW]

Noel is swinging at pitches way out of the zone .yikes