diffopinion

More complete games good for Baseball

During last year, there were a total of 150 complete games... less than one per day.

This year after about a quarter of the season, there already 60.
Yesterday (May 22nd), there were five!

Last year, my team the Twins had four complete games. They already have five this year. Yesterday broke a string of four Twins games where a pitcher went the distance.

I've seen three reasons thrown about
1. Steroids
2. The low strike being called (reducing pitch counts)
3. Managers finally realizing the unpredictability of the bullpen. (However, for the Twins, the bullpen's era is 2.58 while the starters is 3.94.)

The complete game total is still low by historical numbers. But I see two big reasons why getting 18-20 complete games in a season is a big deal.

1. That's an extra days rest every two weeks for your bullpen.
2. It can allow for one less pitcher and one more position player on a teams roster.

The Twins have 11 pitchers and 14 position players.
I've seen the Twins and other teams have 12 pitchers and 13 position players.

I remember 15 years ago, it used to be 10 pitchers and 15 position players.

I think it's great for the game the least of which not being the shortened length of games. Also, watching to see if a pitcher goes the distance keeps one's interest in 7 - 1 ballgames.

posted by DRL @ 12:06 PM