New CBA...

[OH FOY]

Loved the All-Star game meant something. The best Players, playing for a purpose. Like a Mid Season Play-off game. Now, it will be like NFL Pro-Bowl. Nothing to play for. Managers have nothing to Manage in a meaningless game. Nothing to watch anymore for me.

[notin]

It makes more sense than rewarding a team that beats up on an easy division all year.

 

Yet the NBA and NFL use that same method with no complaints...

[notin]

Alternating years was definitely random. I'm not sure it was much better or worse than using best W-L record.

 

Best record might at least add the element of making the last game or two important for a team that has already clinched. Now not only do they need to ensure best record for their own league, but the other league as well.

 

I guess a good question here is why do people so readily accept using best record to determine home field in the LCS but question it for the World Series?

[Bellhorn04]

Best record might at least add the element of making the last game or two important for a team that has already clinched. Now not only do they need to ensure best record for their own league, but the other league as well.

 

The Red Sox were clearly not motivated this year to go all out for home field advantage. Which led to an ad nauseum debate here about the value of HFA.

[Bellhorn04]

I guess a good question here is why do people so readily accept using best record to determine home field in the LCS but question it for the World Series?

 

That was basically the question I posed to moonslav when he expressed disappointment about the rule change.

[jacksonianmarch]

HFA is beneficial for team that are specifically designed for their ballparks. I think the sox are designed for their park on offense, but your #2 starter is a LHP who gives up the longball, so he isn't really designed for your park. HFA is important for a team like the sox. It is also important for a team like the Yankees.

[dgalehouse]

Using the All Star Game to determine HFA was strictly a gimmick to boost the sagging ratings for the game. No system is perfect , but I think this is a change for the better. Edited December 3, 2016 by dgalehouse

[Kimmi]

It makes more sense than rewarding a team that beats up on an easy division all year.

 

No, it doesn't. It might not be fair for teams in stronger divisions, but it at least makes sense.

[Kimmi]

Alternating years was definitely random. I'm not sure it was much better or worse than using best W-L record.

 

IMO, using best record is a lot better.

[Kimmi]

"I love that baseball is random and that you never know if a pitch is a ball or strike. We don't need robot umps!

 

Swapping HFA each year between leagues is too random!"

 

Are you talking to me?

 

Scratch that. I know you're talking to me.

 

The randomness in baseball that I love so much is about what takes place on the field, not in the decisions on how the game is going to be played. There is a difference.

 

And FTR, you are misquoting me on the ball and strike thing.

[notin]

The Red Sox were clearly not motivated this year to go all out for home field advantage. Which led to an ad nauseum debate here about the value of HFA.

 

I didn't like the decision to not go for it, but there is something to be said for setting up your rotation.

 

Really that call by Farrell appeared to be playing it safe. If you go all in for home field, you still may not get it as it's out of your control. Then you go into the worst case of playing on the road with your game one starter as whoever's turn it is. If you set up your rotation, it's done. And maybe if things break right, you luck into home field anyway...

[Kimmi]

I didn't like the decision to not go for it, but there is something to be said for setting up your rotation.

 

Really that call by Farrell appeared to be playing it safe. If you go all in for home field, you still may not get it as it's out of your control. Then you go into the worst case of playing on the road with your game one starter as whoever's turn it is. If you set up your rotation, it's done. And maybe if things break right, you luck into home field anyway...

 

Having your rotation set up and your players rested and healthy is more of an advantage than having home field.

 

HFA does exist, but it's not worth going all out for at the expense of other things.

[Slasher9]

i do not agree with the WS home team being based on season W-L. this is only fair if there is a balanced schedule.

the big balls move would be...a ONE GAME World Series (although we would have to change the word "series") - winner takes all. Hold it at a "neutral" site every year. schedule the game on a Saturday evening at a minimum 4 days after the championship series ends. this way all pitchers are available for both teams.

this would take a run at the Super Bowl type ratings and turn the World Series into an "event".

[Spudboy]

i do not agree with the WS home team being based on season W-L. this is only fair if there is a balanced schedule.

the big balls move would be...a ONE GAME World Series (although we would have to change the word "series") - winner takes all. Hold it at a "neutral" site every year. schedule the game on a Saturday evening at a minimum 4 days after the championship series ends. this way all pitchers are available for both teams.

this would take a run at the Super Bowl type ratings and turn the World Series into an "event".

 

Kind of cool idea but of course they would never do it. Too much money would be sacrificed.

[mvp 78]

Are you talking to me?

 

Scratch that. I know you're talking to me.

 

The randomness in baseball that I love so much is about what takes place on the field, not in the decisions on how the game is going to be played. There is a difference.

 

And FTR, you are misquoting me on the ball and strike thing.

 

It's definitely not a misquote. You have often talked about how robot umpires are boring because it would take away from MLB's randomness.