Maybe prophetic, but it came about right as Manfred was making his ESPN appearance with lightning strikes in the background behind him. I almost found myself imagining him hit by one.
Trying to imagine what could happen to foul up the Dodger game. Clear skies, so no rain out. Maybe an earthquake?
The Dodgers have cardboard cutouts of fans behind home plate. Maybe it’s better than having empty seats. But, I think they could do much better. I can’t remember where I saw it, but I’ve seen life sized dolls that look almost human. They look very very realistic. I would like to see a team get some of those life size dolls. I think it would really look like real fans were in the seats.
I dont think fake crowd noise or fake people would help me feel normal one bit. In fact, all those stills staring at me might make me paranoid.
Virtually makes most of the season irrelevant. What's next... load management? 60 games... not enough 5 game division series.... too short. 3 game first round?... blasphemy. If there are to be expanded playoffs in the future, they have to have some incentive/bonus for the best teams in each league (besides simply HFA). First round bye, automatic LCS... something.
Yep, thought about saying that myself for the Astros and the other great teams. The 16-team playoffs gives the best teams a parachute in case someone (or two someones) in their division is smoking hot for 60 games or how ever many games get played. Astros would have to have major injuries to miss the playoffs.
I'm guessing with this format, they'd have made the playoffs after 60 games in 2016 as well, correct? So basically, a team with Valbuena/Castro/Rasmus and Colin McHugh/Doug Fister in the rotation should be good enough. It really is ridiculous... but will be even more problematic (for baseball) if the Dodgers get another bad Kershaw start or Chapman blows a save for the Yankees that basically turn those 3 game series.
Really helps a team like the Rays too, assuming they don't win the AL East. Instead of a one-game wild card with say, Anaheim/Cleveland/(*gulp*) Houston/Minnesota/Oakland, they get a best of three with probably the AL Central winner with Snell/Glasnow/CFM to try and get to the ALDS. Scary team with those top 3 in any short series.
https://www.chron.com/sports/astros/article/Will-we-finish-the-baseball-season-Nah-man-15431442.php Earlier this month, Astros general manager James Click said, “I really do think that whichever team has the fewest cases of coronavirus is going to win.” I know next to nothing about our new GM, but he may have hit the nail on the head here. Wear your f#cking masks people!
Was flipping between some games on MLB.tv today and here are some highlights and thoughts. JD Davis was robbed of a HR. Cespedes crushed a HR to left and social distancing went out the window during the celebration in the dugout. I want Seth Lugo. 2 innings out of the pen throwing 97 when he wanted to and nasty spin on his breaking ball. Glad we didn't get Ramos behind the plate a couple years ago. He's a little lazy behind the plate. Matthew Boyd didn't look ready for the season. He was struggling bad in the first inning. Charlie Morton is pitching well but he doesn't have his high velocity going. He's only hitting 93 mph but still effective.
