Will the MLB Pitch Clock Rule Impact the MLB Postseason?
The majority of baseball fans appear to approve of the MLB pitch clock rule as it speeds up the game and prohibits pitchers from taking excessive breaks on the mound. But PointsSpreads.com wants to know how it will affect the MLB postseason matchups and whether the MLB players will have a significant say in whether it is altered when the playoffs arrive in October.
Time for an October Change?
It is not often that any tweak, or change, in a rule receives universal support in the world of professional sports. And while some baseball purists have decried the MLB pitch clock rule as heresy, the vast majority of fans believe it is a measure whose time has come.
Tonight’s Rangers-White Sox game had a total runtime of 1:58. The pitch clock is greatest rule change ever.
— Jimmy Slaughter (@JimmySlaughter) August 2, 2023
Even the MLB players themselves have acclimated well but there is some reluctance about employing the rule as it currently stands when the postseason rolls around. Tony Clark, head of the players union, said the union members have had concerns about the clock when the games matter most and have made those sentiments known to MLB officials.
“The players that have been on the on-field committee and that are newly on the on-field committee have been consistent in that regard,” said Clark, who added that he is “hopeful” that MLB can “make adjustments” to the MLB pitch clock rule, suggesting that adding a few extra seconds would be an equitable solution rather than disposing of it entirely. Clark stated the union has “represented” its suggestions to the MLB brass and found that the “lines of communication are open.”
“The adjustments I think the players are looking toward is simply one that affords them and those watching a chance to take a few extra seconds, a deep breath,” Clark said.
Tony Clark says players are “hopeful” MLB might relax pitch clock restrictions in postseason.
— Bill Shaikin (@BillShaikin) July 11, 2023
It doesn’t appear to be an unreasonable request, considering the current rule that requires a man on second base to start extra innings games has been eliminated for the postseason.
MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred opined on the possible rule tweak when he said, “I have thought about this a lot. I’m not sure that I would like to see the extra-inning rule that we use during the regular season move to the postseason. I just think the difference between the pitch clock and the extra-inning rule is that the extra-inning rule is kind of, by definition, outcome-determining. Whereas, not so much with the other rules.”
PointSpreads.com turned to data culled from FanGraphs which revealed the 2022 MLB postseason matchups ran 26 minutes longer than the regular season games (3:29 vs. 3:03), as pitchers tend to deliberate longer on each pitch they throw in critical playoff games.
“[Postseason games] tend to be a little bit longer anyway,” Clark said. “However, considering we just played a 162-game season, considering there are only a handful of teams, despite the expanded playoffs, that actually make it to the postseason, nobody is looking to play three-and-a-half, four-hour games. I don’t think that an extra few seconds here and there is going to create a three-and-a-half, four-hour game.”
Rob Manfred doesn’t rule out changes to postseason pitch clock, but they seem unlikely https://t.co/OHHAvdKor3
— Evan Drellich (@EvanDrellich) July 12, 2023
And while the players’ union and the MLB officials are open to negotiations, changing the MLB pitch clock rule, even slightly, for the playoffs is far from a foregone conclusion.
“Giving back the progress we’ve made is something we have to really pay attention to, whether it’s in the postseason or otherwise,” Manfred said. “That’s all I can say.”
Author: Sin City Sniper
Author: Sin City Sniper“Busting bookmakers and taking their money is his greatest joy in life. He’s been around the block more than once, knows the players both on and off the field of battle, and uses his experience to serve the bookies a heaping plate of humble pie washed down by a warm glass of their salty tears. You can find him in any number of Vegas books, sniping weak lines and getting paid to do it.”
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