Originally Posted by ateamstupid (Post 809741)

Really? Take a look at the MLB standings. They go almost exactly according to run differential. The top four in the NL were the four that made the playoffs. Three of the top four in the AL made the playoffs (Boston was third, Tampa was fifth). It's one of the best indicators of how good a team is.

But that's what a short series can do. It can propel the inferior team if they leave fewer runners on base and get slightly better starting pitching.

And the Red Sox were -23 in September.

Originally Posted by horseofcourse (Post 809803)

Look at Fister's record and stats since the trade. His stats were really good before the trade too, but he was the best starting pitcher in baseball once he got to Detroit. Make of it what you will, it's a sample size of 10 starts, and for those 10 starts he was the best in the league. You pair that with Verlander, I stand by it. I saw it happen. They were malingering with cleveland all summer long, Fister came, game, set, match.

The Tigers won. Just like I will say Sunday Silence was a better horse than Easy Goer despite Easy Goer having run faster if you combine all 4 races, but Sunday Silence was 3-1 in those 4 races, it's pretty easy logic. I don't put much stock into the Yankees murdering the Tigers lesser relief pitchers in game 4, not much at all. Verlander's better than Sabathia, Fister's better than Nova...both of them all year long, that's pretty much why I state they're better.

Originally Posted by horseofcourse (Post 809811)

In a league with a DH I think the numbers certainly indicate Justin Verlander and Doug Fister were better pitchers all year than Roy Halladay and Cliff Lee. All 4 were really, really good this year. If you have to pick one PAIR and not individuals in order, I'd take the Tiger pair is all. I think they're better. I just do. I'm a big Cleveland fan, and I saw what the Tigers became after that trade with Seattle. They were nothing special before Fister. Post Fister, I feel they played better than any team in baseball. Yeah, perhaps I'm overreacting to the fact that the last two months of the season Doug Fister was the best starting pitcher in baseball, but it is right now and the facts are, he was really, really good with Seattle too.

Originally Posted by ateamstupid (Post 809827)

That makes sense. A starting pitcher who plays every six days was solely responsible for the team having a torrid August and September. You're right, start molding his bust for Cooperstown.

Originally Posted by GPK (Post 809881)

$79 million spent on your starting 5 needs to get you more than a 1st round exit.

Originally Posted by Cannon Shell (Post 809893)

Getting a week off in baseball is not an advantage like football.

Originally Posted by jms62 (Post 809906)

Good point then how about making all series best of 7.

Originally Posted by 3kings (Post 809922)

The TV executives have to be cringing after the results of the last few days. Only one decent sized market remaining(Dallas/FWorth) and no teams with national followings. All time low playoff and World Series ratings?

Originally Posted by Bigsmc (Post 809939)

Baseball has to be cringing too. They need ratings for bigger TV contracts.

Originally Posted by Cannon Shell (Post 810043)

I'm having a hard time working up much sympathy

Originally Posted by Bigsmc (Post 809914)

Great idea, if they shorten the regular season.

They would be fast approaching that timeless tradition of the Thanksgiving Day World Series if they extend the first series to 7 games or add another Wild Card team like some suggest.

I'm personally tired of seeing snowflakes in the World Series. Baseball is an outdoor game, but I like to see baseball at it's best, not battling the elements as well as your opponent.