I ahave always cheered for the National League team.
2023 MLB Playoffs
texillwek
🔶🔹🔸🔷
Don't do it this year. They're literal snakes.
Is there any sport more random in determining who gets in their championship game/series than baseball ?
It diminishes the meaning of 162 games.
It diminishes the meaning of 162 games.
This has been true since the 116-win Cubs lost to the 93-win White Sox in the 1906 World Series.
The same roster construction that’s needed to win the most games over a long, drawn-out, tightly packed regular season schedule isn’t necessarily the same roster construction that wins in the short, more spread out post season. That 4th or 5th starter that got 170 quality innings or that reliable backup infielder who took 250 quality plate appearances might never get into a game.
So these Diamondbacks that only won 84 games have two great starters in Gallen and Kelly that match up with any other #1 and #2 in baseball as well as a rookie top 100 prospect in Pfaadt who seems to have come into his own. They have a legitimate blossoming superstar in Carroll, solid veterans in Walker, Marte and Gurriel, and two more big time talent 23-year old prospects in Moreno and Perdomo. Moreno might be the best defensive catcher in baseball right now as a rookie.
That’s plenty. They don’t have anything close to the organizational depth of, say, the Braves. But in the short series playoffs, you don’t need that.
As Bart Giamatti said, baseball, “Is designed to break your heart.”
NCAA basketball. At least in baseball, they play a series.
If you starting center fouls out in 9 minutes of play, you don't get another chance.
The 162 games are designed as revenue-generating events for baseball owners. They are quite happy about that. Attempts to shorten the season back to 154 games have not gotten support because owners want the extra dough and players don't want a pay cut.
The randomness of who gets to the Series is great for fans because more teams have a real chance to get there now.
All the teams get their chance to prove themselves over 7 months. If a team doesn't make it -- they didn't deserve to.
The main problem with the setup is that the World Series runs up against the big NFL and College Football sports interest. Also, the MLS playoffs are going on right now, too. Plus the start of the NHL and NBA seasons.
Ryllini
- Lombard
Win or lose this game or the series, I'm impressed by the D'Backs. I saw them in April last season in Busch and you could see something then, not this, but something. They are an absolute pain in the !!! to play and will be for the next few years. I could be wrong, but I believe they still have a loaded system.
The Texas American League Ball Club
2021 Won 60 Lost 102
2022 Won 68 Lost 94
2023 Won 90 Lost 72 & World Series Champs
That is some rocket ride to the top in a very short time.
Let’s see. You keep some core players. You bring in some top talent by making wise choices. You bring in a Manager who’s been there and knows how to win. And what happens? THIS.
When you do these kinds of things... this Game is EASY!
2021 Won 60 Lost 102
2022 Won 68 Lost 94
2023 Won 90 Lost 72 & World Series Champs
That is some rocket ride to the top in a very short time.
Let’s see. You keep some core players. You bring in some top talent by making wise choices. You bring in a Manager who’s been there and knows how to win. And what happens? THIS.
When you do these kinds of things... this Game is EASY!
I like seeing the team that went for it at the deadline winning. They went out and got Scherzer, Montgomery and Chapman and were rewarded for it. Good for them.