I think the “every team playing eachother” format will be fun for a year or two and probably get old quickly, especially for the players as you have now doubled their cross country travel in any given season. I do like the balanced schedule though since not once did the unbalanced schedule actually really affect the outcome of any division races thanks to expanded playoffs
@Rsox I do think the Cardinals feasting on the Pirates, Cubs and Reds this year was really ridiculous. Not their fault of course, but it really inflates their record. I get it; they’re hot right now, but that division is a joke this year. To be fair, sometimes it’s another division. I’m looking forward to more balanced schedules to see how that plays out.
I was of the belief that there was light at the end of the tunnel for the Pirates, Von. Simply put, I don’t anymore
Your comment about feasting goes for about 3/4 of the teams on their schedule
I understand the process but in itself, you wish to see progress
This system has regressed.
Everyone, come hungry
I wish more people would object to the expanded playoffs.
Kinda stinks, a team like Seatle could up end a team like the Yankees or Dodgers, when clearly both those team simply outpaced any wild card team. One wild card team was enough…..
I actually disagree. Again, pointing to the NL Central. I could make an argument that the Braves, Phillies and Padres are all better than the NL Central division winner. You shouldn’t get rewarded for being in a weak division. The extra WC makes it harder for weak division winners to excel in the playoffs, and gives the two most deserving teams a well-earned bye.
The WC teams aren’t exactly rewarded either. They have a much more difficult path. The division you’re in is purely based on luck and geo-location. I hate to keep picking on the Cardinals, but that’s just how it’s playing out this year. If you take the 1st place Cardinals and put them in the NLE or NLW, they are possibly a 4th place team (likely 3rd in the NLW and 4th in the NLE). So why should the 1st place team in a garbage division get rewarded simply because their schedule is weak?
These 2nd and 3rd place teams aren’t getting a bye. In previous years it wasn’t uncommon to see a WC team get hot at the right time and ride that wave to the WS championship. See the Nationals. Now, even though there are more WC teams, the road is much tougher. The strongest division winners get byes and rest up their rotation. The WC teams really need to battle for position. I think it’s a much more fair system.
Of course all that changes next year with the new “balanced schedule,” but for 2022 I really like the way it plays out. It’s less about rewarding the extra WC teams and more about rewarding the deserving division winners with a bye.
“Healthy deGrom is the best pitcher in baseball… you’re talking a sub-2.00 ERA and 35% strikeout rate over his past *six hundred* innings.” and those six hundred innings have come in what? 5 maybe 6 seasons? No way anyone should give 4 years unless it comes with the same kind of clause that John Lackey’s did with his deal with Boston.
Every time one of these writers lists Ivan Herrera as the Cards’ probable starting catcher next year I become more convinced they never actually watch any Cardinals’ games.
I know what the AAA stats say.
I know what Knizner’s stats look like this season. But in real life, Herrera has looked overmatched and nowhere near ready to take over.
I don’t see any indication they are ready to move on from Knizner.
Thanks Steve.
Surprised there’s no article on the schedule
I think the “every team playing eachother” format will be fun for a year or two and probably get old quickly, especially for the players as you have now doubled their cross country travel in any given season. I do like the balanced schedule though since not once did the unbalanced schedule actually really affect the outcome of any division races thanks to expanded playoffs
@Rsox I do think the Cardinals feasting on the Pirates, Cubs and Reds this year was really ridiculous. Not their fault of course, but it really inflates their record. I get it; they’re hot right now, but that division is a joke this year. To be fair, sometimes it’s another division. I’m looking forward to more balanced schedules to see how that plays out.
I was of the belief that there was light at the end of the tunnel for the Pirates, Von. Simply put, I don’t anymore
Your comment about feasting goes for about 3/4 of the teams on their schedule
I understand the process but in itself, you wish to see progress
This system has regressed.
Everyone, come hungry
I wish more people would object to the expanded playoffs.
Kinda stinks, a team like Seatle could up end a team like the Yankees or Dodgers, when clearly both those team simply outpaced any wild card team. One wild card team was enough…..
I actually disagree. Again, pointing to the NL Central. I could make an argument that the Braves, Phillies and Padres are all better than the NL Central division winner. You shouldn’t get rewarded for being in a weak division. The extra WC makes it harder for weak division winners to excel in the playoffs, and gives the two most deserving teams a well-earned bye.
You should be rewarded for coming in at SECOND PLACE?
HALF of the playoff teams
..3/6 ? No way. They were already eliminated. Why even play a season…let’s give everyone participation trophies….
The WC teams aren’t exactly rewarded either. They have a much more difficult path. The division you’re in is purely based on luck and geo-location. I hate to keep picking on the Cardinals, but that’s just how it’s playing out this year. If you take the 1st place Cardinals and put them in the NLE or NLW, they are possibly a 4th place team (likely 3rd in the NLW and 4th in the NLE). So why should the 1st place team in a garbage division get rewarded simply because their schedule is weak?
These 2nd and 3rd place teams aren’t getting a bye. In previous years it wasn’t uncommon to see a WC team get hot at the right time and ride that wave to the WS championship. See the Nationals. Now, even though there are more WC teams, the road is much tougher. The strongest division winners get byes and rest up their rotation. The WC teams really need to battle for position. I think it’s a much more fair system.
Of course all that changes next year with the new “balanced schedule,” but for 2022 I really like the way it plays out. It’s less about rewarding the extra WC teams and more about rewarding the deserving division winners with a bye.
“Healthy deGrom is the best pitcher in baseball… you’re talking a sub-2.00 ERA and 35% strikeout rate over his past *six hundred* innings.” and those six hundred innings have come in what? 5 maybe 6 seasons? No way anyone should give 4 years unless it comes with the same kind of clause that John Lackey’s did with his deal with Boston.
Right now at least Verlander is just as good if not better.
Probably, but his age will cap him at something like 2/80ish maybe 3/100 if he insists on a 3rd year.
I would happily have the Red Sox give 3/140 or 4/180 to Degrom if he’s healthy for even half of each season
“I’m sure a lot of them would love an owner willing to spend like that … until you realize he’s going over the head of his front office…”
I understand what you’re saying, but the owner can’t go over the head of his front office. They report to him. He’s above all heads!
Winning baseball strategy seems to be over Moreno’s head.
Every time one of these writers lists Ivan Herrera as the Cards’ probable starting catcher next year I become more convinced they never actually watch any Cardinals’ games.
I know what the AAA stats say.
I know what Knizner’s stats look like this season. But in real life, Herrera has looked overmatched and nowhere near ready to take over.
I don’t see any indication they are ready to move on from Knizner.
I’d like to see the Cardinals acquire someone who can provide insurance at catcher in case Herrera and Knizner continue not to hit.
Me too. I like the Brewers’ guy Narvaez. He hits LH so he forms a nice platoon with either Herrera or Knizner.