2023 MLB Season Thread

[Dipre]

The simple fact is there's no way to prove resting helps improve performance and/or prevent injuries, and no way to prove it doesn't.

 

There's plenty of proof.

 

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7534929/

 

That's a peer-reviewed study that focuses mostly on pitchers, but talks about general recovery needs for players in general.

[Dipre]

One thing is certain though, you have better chance winning games with your best players than resting them.

 

IF they can play. Extremes are always bad.

[redsoxrules]

There's plenty of proof.

 

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7534929/

 

That's a peer-reviewed study that focuses mostly on pitchers, but talks about general recovery needs for players in general.

 

I'm talking hitters and not pitchers

[Bellhorn04]

As another poster pointed out, the 2018 Red Sox only had one player play in 150 games, and that was JDM. And that season worked out pretty well.

[moonslav59]

As another poster pointed out, the 2018 Red Sox only had one player play in 150 games, and that was JDM. And that season worked out pretty well.

 

Many who did not play over 150 were hurt.

[Bellhorn04]

Many who did not play over 150 were hurt.

 

Right, but it's darn good evidence that you can have a highly successful season without guys playing 162, or even 152.

[Dipre]

I'm talking hitters and not pitchers

 

Did you read the description? If you look in-depth, there's a lot of info on recovery for players in general too.

[Dipre]

As another poster pointed out, the 2018 Red Sox only had one player play in 150 games, and that was JDM. And that season worked out pretty well.

 

Players aren't one size fits all, they are human beings. They all require different amounts of rest. I think Atlanta's approach is a little extreme, and the general consensus on the matter makes more sense.

[redsoxrules]

As another poster pointed out, the 2018 Red Sox only had one player play in 150 games, and that was JDM. And that season worked out pretty well.

 

Yes, this was also a very stacked team

[Dipre]

Yes, this was also a very stacked team

 

So is it about playing your entire lineup every day, or having a stacked team, even if you manage workloads?

[notin]

Players aren't one size fits all, they are human beings. They all require different amounts of rest. I think Atlanta's approach is a little extreme, and the general consensus on the matter makes more sense.

 

Wrong!! They’re all Cal Ripken clones until their managers wussify them!!

[Dipre]

Wrong!! They’re all Cal Ripken clones until their managers wussify them!!

 

Good point. I will keep my silly, science-based opinions to myself, and defer to my eye-test overlords.

[moonslav59]

Right, but it's darn good evidence that you can have a highly successful season without guys playing 162, or even 152.

 

But the argument is about resting players so they are fresher, late in the season.

 

Guys missing time due to injury does not support that position. It does not help the no rest argument, either.

[Bellhorn04]

But the argument is about resting players so they are fresher, late in the season.

 

Guys missing time due to injury does not support that position. It does not help the no rest argument, either.

 

Injuries are always gonna happen.

 

Doesn't change the fact that you can have an awesome season without anyone playing more than 150 games.

[moonslav59]

Injuries are always gonna happen.

 

Doesn't change the fact that you can have an awesome season without anyone playing more than 150 games.

 

How many were by manager's choice? Zero?

 

How does that support the position?

[Bellhorn04]

How many were by manager's choice? Zero?

 

How does that support the position?

 

a) No, I don't think the correct answer is zero.

It clearly supports the position that you can be highly successful without anyone playing more than 150.

[dgalehouse]

I think most MLB organizations believe that resting players is beneficial in the long run. I suppose they have some data that supports that. Apparently, the Braves think differently. But if the team is good enough and deep enough , you can win either way.

[a700hitter]

I think most MLB organizations believe that resting players is beneficial in the long run. I suppose they have some data that supports that. Apparently, the Braves think differently. But if the team is good enough and deep enough , you can win either way.

There is probably merit in resting certain posters on message boards too.

[moonslav59]

There is probably merit in resting certain posters on message boards too.

 

LOL, like those with between 69 and 70K posts,

 

[notin]

I think most MLB organizations believe that resting players is beneficial in the long run. I suppose they have some data that supports that. Apparently, the Braves think differently. But if the team is good enough and deep enough , you can win either way.

 

It’s also possible the players like it. Not everything is driven by data and metrics.

 

Obviously they all like playing baseball and want to play every day. But 162 games a year is a lot and maybe there are players who appreciate an occasional day off…

[Dipre]

There is probably merit in resting certain posters on message boards too.

 

Ted, what does this add to the discussion man? (I agree, maybe not on the who, but still.)

[a700hitter]

Ted, what does this add to the discussion man? (I agree, maybe not on the who, but still.)

It was humor. The board could use some humor.

[dgalehouse]

It was humor. The board could use some humor.

 

Amen to that.

[dgalehouse]

It’s also possible the players like it. Not everything is driven by data and metrics.

 

Obviously they all like playing baseball and want to play every day. But 162 games a year is a lot and maybe there are players who appreciate an occasional day off…

 

Everybody likes a day off. I do think this is clearly driven by data . I have very little doubt about that.

[notin]

Everybody likes a day off. I do think this is clearly driven by data . I have very little doubt about that.

 

If the players like it and there is proof it helps, why on Earth do people think it’s the wrong idea?

[moonslav59]

RIP Brooks Robinson

[notin]

Watching the Cubs/Braves last night.

 

Cubs up 7-6 in the 8th with Braves sending up the 4-5-6 hitters. Cubs’ manager David Ross (a serious bonehead as a manager) sends in starting rotation banishment victim Drew Smyly to pitch. Smiley gets 2 strikeouts, but also walks 2, gives up a huge stolen base, and watches Seiya Suzuki misplay a routine flyball that allows 2 runs to score.

 

So I’m watching this thinking, why is Smyly the guy here? The Cubs have a good closer in Julian Merryweather who is just sitting on the bench, apparently preparing to use his skills as the best reliever in that bulllen to take on the 7-8-9 hitters in the 9th.

 

High leverage > closer

[Bellhorn04]

Watching the Cubs/Braves last night.

 

Cubs up 7-6 in the 8th with Braves sending up the 4-5-6 hitters. Cubs’ manager David Ross (a serious bonehead as a manager) sends in starting rotation banishment victim Drew Smyly to pitch. Smiley gets 2 strikeouts, but also walks 2, gives up a huge stolen base, and watches Seiya Suzuki misplay a routine flyball that allows 2 runs to score.

 

So I’m watching this thinking, why is Smyly the guy here? The Cubs have a good closer in Julian Merryweather who is just sitting on the bench, apparently preparing to use his skills as the best reliever in that bulllen to take on the 7-8-9 hitters in the 9th.

 

High leverage > closer

 

Concur. That was bonehead management.

[moonslav59]

Concur. That was bonehead management.

 

Susuki makes the catch, and this is not even mentioned.

[Bellhorn04]

Susuki makes the catch, and this is not even mentioned.

 

Also true.