As part of our on-going series monitoring the clock during baseball’s postseason, it is duly noted that the Cardinals and Pirates showed it is possible to play baseball at a brisk pace.
All but Game 2 of the series (3:03) came in under 3 hours. Game 4 was completed in 2:36. Last night, the Cardinals advanced in Game 5 in 2:40.
So you say, the last two games featured good pitching, right? Well, there was good pitching in Game 2 of Oakland-Detroit with the A’s winning 1-0. Time: 3:24.
You say, the National League plays faster than the American League, right? Quickest game in LA-Atlanta series was Game 4 at 3:19.
It was refreshing to watch last night’s game. Adam Wainwright, a pro’s pro, gets the ball and throws it. Yes, it definitely helps that he throws strikes, a novel concept.
The Pirates pitchers also worked quickly. And the game kept moving at a nice pace.
Yes, it can be done.
Bang the drum loudly Ed, I’ve been harping on this for years. Last nights game, a 3-0 ‘slugfest’ lasted 3 1/2 hours.
To add to my comment, the 1975 classic game six, 12 innings long, full of intrigue and suspenseful moments lasted 4:01. That was probably long by the standards of those days.
A Boston-NY series this year in August featured back to back 4 hour plus games, no extra innings. Utterly foolish for baseball to ignore how bad this is for the future of the game.
It can be done institutionally with rules, but these need to be installed full-time in the minors for a while before they make their way to spring training and then major league games.
But we’ll never get back to Jim Kaat’s day, not with all the pitching specialists, all the strikeouts, and all the TV commercial breaks.