IDIOT. https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/mlb-rule-changes-winners-losers/ The same can’t be said of the Houston Astros (and, to a slightly lesser extent, the Los Angeles Dodgers and Toronto Blue Jays). Don’t get us wrong — the defending champs still look plenty fearsome on paper, but they ranked dead last in MANFRED a season ago because they finished 29th in pitch tempo, 29th in shift avoidance and 22nd in sprint speed. Essentially, MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred (no relation to the metric MANFRED) came along and nerfed some of the hallmarks of Houston’s playing style when it won the World Series last year. How much will it matter? It’s tough to say, and teams like the Astros have long been great because they can always adapt to changing conditions in the game (like, say, not being able to steal signs electronically anymore). The fact that Houston didn’t sign a pitcher this past offseason because it didn’t have a general manager will probably loom larger over the team’s 2023 campaign than any hit it takes from the rule changes. But in a sport where every little edge matters, some teams gained on the rest of the league because of the new wrinkles in the rulebook, and some clearly fell behind.
Just another opportunity for a writer to take a dig at the Astros in hopes of some clicks. Tucker and Alverez were two of the most shifted players in the league so it benefits them to not have the shift. Pitch tempo won't be an issue for our staff. I'd image Verlander and Garcia inflated those numbers. Verlander is gone and Garcia has changed up is routine.
It hurts us the most because we shifted the most out of all ball clubs. We pretty much were the pioneers of using it a lot. Like the Rockets were the pioneers of the 3 point shot offense. Yes, others did it but we took it to another level.
How things change. I remember when a three point shot was making a shot while being fouled and sinking the free throw. I come from a time when there was NO Three point line. They also didn't let you run without dribbling the ball. ...and no DH.
But you had to clean up all that horse manure and worry about splinters in your backside from the wagon bench.
How old are your? Unless you're 100 years old, the DH has been around most of your life. Unless you're 85+ years old, the NBA 3 pointer has been around most of your life.
The DH began in 73 and the 3 point line was ABA only at the time. We were still arguing between Chamberlain and Russell as the best PLAYER of all time. And while these were from my High School years, I'm not 85+, though it has been changed most of my life. But it was normal for the 70-75 era. Cesar Cedeno and Moses Malone were the stars in Houston.
