Just utterly perplexed at the Senga decision vs going with your hottest pitcher in Manaea on regular rest. Sigh......
And now you're going 7-8 innings of relief? Make it make sense. Way to pencil in the Dodgers into the World Series. Who does this?
Dodgers-Red Sox 2018 had lower ratings than Dodgers-Astros 2017 or Astros-Nationals 2019. (and this was all pre-scandal). Since then, the Astros have actually held some of the viewership afloat for an otherwise regressing viewership overall. Even if it was somewhat hate watching, networks have benefitted since 2019 when the Astros were still in the hunt. Neither the Yankees or Dodgers teams attract a fan base outside those two markets. And nobody hate-watches them either (especially not with both in there).
MLB needs the damn Astros more than they think... we'll see how the ratings are this year without them. With that said, Ohtani will draw in viewership, especially all of Japan.
Although the data would suggest otherwise, if I had to put a bet down, then I would bet the NY LA or the NY NY series would get higher ratings than the Astros. But the bet would not be evidence based. The drop-off since the 80's is significant. Basketball had a similar dip after the 90's. Yet the NFL superbowl ratings have grown over that period. So clearly, this can be controlled. It's not just environmental. MLB just hasn't promised enough entertainment to deliver on ratings. And that is tangible from my perspective compared to the superbowl.
Now the Comets, they literally held the WNBA Finals Ratings together, and the moment Van Chancellor let things slip the WNBA ratings fell off a cliff. The WNBA needs the Comets.
Curious to see how the Ohtani effect has changed things over there... its not like there hasn't been quite a few Japanese players performing on these stages over the last 20-30 years. Was all of Japan interested in Yu Darvish' 2017 (or the last 3 years) playoff starts?
I just know the hype on Ohtani is on a whole 'nother level compare to Darvish or any of the past Japanese players at this stage. I'll see how much they draw if the doggers make it to the big stage, but I still have hope they fall on their face.
