# MLB: September/October Regular Season 2022 **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Tags:** baseball-mlb\ **Created:** [September 1, 2022, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-september-october-regular-season-2022/970738 "2022-09-01T16:05:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 7
**Author:** ![Great\_Antibob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e47c2d/32.png) [@Great\_Antibob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Great_Antibob)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2022, 2:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-september-october-regular-season-2022/970738/121 "2022-09-13T14:06:03Z")
If batting averages are too low, MLB may want to tweak the balls again. Seems like they do this every year with the manufacturing. I know they deny it but it would shock precisely no one if it came out they juiced the balls (or the reverse and deadened them). ---
**Author:** ![Pleonast](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pleonast/32/1183_2.png) [@Pleonast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pleonast)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2022, 3:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-september-october-regular-season-2022/970738/122 "2022-09-13T15:18:31Z")
> [@RickJay](#): > > Starting pitcher effectiveness falls off very rapidly once they face batters for the third time. I’m seeing that as a good thing, as it shifts the balance in favor of the batters. Pitchers should pitch longer, but the health impacts are too great to allow it. The problem with baseball right now is that pitches are too fast. Too fast for batters to hit well and too fast for pitchers’ longevity. In my fantasy rules, I’d completely automate balls and strikes, and include a speed cap on the pitch. Any overspeed pitch is called a ball. That removes the incentive for a pitcher to damage his arm for a short-term advantage (similar to why some drugs are banned). There’d have to be some tuning of the exact size of the strike zone and the speed cap. If that didn’t liven up the game, then I’d look at disallowing any substitutions in a game (even if it means playing short handed). As an aside, I’d stop the runner-on-base rule for extra innings, but require each team to remove one player each inning after the ninth. Yes, that means the 17th inning will be 1v1. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2022, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-september-october-regular-season-2022/970738/123 "2022-09-13T16:39:37Z")
I’m not sure that pitch speed is what damages arms, or that throwing 99 is worse for your arm than 95. One’s ability to throw fast and remain healthy has a lot to do with a person’s physical size and the smoothness of their mechanics. ---
**Author:** ![zimaane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/a3d4f5/32.png) [@zimaane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zimaane)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2022, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-september-october-regular-season-2022/970738/124 "2022-09-13T18:10:35Z")
I’m not sure either. I recall hearing that the risk of injury to pitchers was from the unnatural arm motions required to throw breaking balls, not from maxing out a fastball. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2022, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-september-october-regular-season-2022/970738/125 "2022-09-13T19:22:53Z")
> [@Great\_Antibob](#): > > MLB may want to tweak the balls again. That’s just a signal from the coach, right? ---
**Author:** ![omenran](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omenran/32/3318_2.png) [@omenran](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/omenran)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2022, 11:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-september-october-regular-season-2022/970738/126 "2022-09-13T23:18:35Z")
Fatigue can lead to injuries. Unsurprisingly there’s a lot of study and places looking into pitcher injuries and programs to lessen the amount. So stuff like mechanics and conditioning and rest all play factors. If a pitcher takes off a bit of effort on their pitches, that can hopefully lead to fewer injuries. One possible effect from a pitch clock could be the less time for recovery between pitches and that could in turn lead to pitchers not going max effort all the time. ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2022, 11:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-september-october-regular-season-2022/970738/127 "2022-09-13T23:20:20Z")
If we were to look at games over the last few years, what percent of pitches would have been in violation? ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2022, 12:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-september-october-regular-season-2022/970738/128 "2022-09-14T00:46:23Z")
> [@omenran](#): > > One possible effect from a pitch clock could be the less time for recovery between pitches and that could in turn lead to pitchers not going max effort all the time. That might be seen as a feature, not a bug. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2022, 3:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-september-october-regular-season-2022/970738/129 "2022-09-14T03:11:59Z")
I saw the game in Cleveland tonight. What a truly lovely ballpark. ---
**Author:** ![omenran](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omenran/32/3318_2.png) [@omenran](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/omenran)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2022, 6:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-september-october-regular-season-2022/970738/130 "2022-09-14T06:49:38Z")
Yes, I meant it as such (a feature), but didn’t say so directly. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2022, 3:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-september-october-regular-season-2022/970738/131 "2022-09-14T15:13:51Z")
The Brewers, dealing with several injuries to starting pitchers, decided that yesterday’s game against the Cardinals would be a “bullpen game” – use a reliever as the starting pitcher, have him pitch a few innings, and continue with relievers through the rest of the game. Except that the “starter,” Matt Bush, had to leave the game after 15 pitches, due to groin discomfort. They wound up using a total of eight pitchers over the course of the game, which they won, 8 to 4. ---
**Author:** ![Railer13](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/railer13/32/9742_2.png) [@Railer13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Railer13)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2022, 3:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-september-october-regular-season-2022/970738/132 "2022-09-14T15:15:33Z")
I just read an interesting factoid. Tony La Russa left the White Sox to have a medical procedure done on August 28. At the time, the ChiSox were 63-65 and trailed the Guardians by 5 games. Bench coach Miguel Cairo took over when La Russa left. Since that time, the Sox are 10-4 and are now 3 games back of Cleveland in the AL Central. Perhaps it’s coincidental, perhaps not. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2022, 3:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-september-october-regular-season-2022/970738/133 "2022-09-14T15:18:53Z")
> [@Railer13](#): > > Tony La Russa left the White Sox to have a medical procedure done on August 28. Which LaRussa has recently confirmed was for the installation of a pacemaker. But, yes, it’s interesting that the team has played very well in his absence. > **[When will Tony La Russa return to the White Sox? It’s still unknown](https://wgntv.com/news/wgn-news-now/when-will-tony-la-russa-return-to-the-white-sox-its-still-unknown/)** > > The manager has been out on medical leave since August 30th, but revealed that he had a pacemaker put in to aid his heart while in Arizona the last few weeks. ---
**Author:** ![Jas09](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/d07c76/32.png) [@Jas09](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jas09)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2022, 3:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-september-october-regular-season-2022/970738/134 "2022-09-14T15:21:42Z")
> [@Atamasama](#): > > I love Diaz. He was a great closer for the Mariners and was sad to see him go (though I understood the trade). > > I say good for him, he’s a great player and some fanfare is warranted. Just wanted to throw out these ridiculous numbers for Diaz, including one that actually doesn’t seem possible. 2022 ERA: 1.47 2022 FIP: 1.04 (that’s his “expected” ERA just based on strikeouts, walks, and home runs) FIP Since June 1: 0.00 Yes, since the start of June, based just on his strikeouts, walks, and home runs Edwin Diaz would literally be expected to give up zero runs. That’s over 34+ innings. In that span he actually gave up 3 runs (not sure how - probably bad luck on hits and hit sequencing) with 67 Ks, 7 BBs, and 0 HRs against. I guess striking out 2 batters an inning while walking nobody and giving up no home runs is a pretty effective way to pitch… ---
**Author:** ![Hari\_Seldon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hari_seldon/32/5173_2.png) [@Hari\_Seldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hari_Seldon)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2022, 8:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-september-october-regular-season-2022/970738/135 "2022-09-14T20:24:58Z")
Curious. I had a pacemaker installed last February. Aside from not showering for a week, I resumed normal activities the next day. Once they use automatic ball/strike calls, they will be able to make minor tweaks in the strike zone. And hitters will be able to take advantage of the consistency, which does not happen today. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2022, 3:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-september-october-regular-season-2022/970738/136 "2022-09-15T15:09:29Z")
> [@Jas09](#): > > I guess striking out 2 batters an inning while walking nobody and giving up no home runs is a pretty effective way to pitch… It’s a level of performance that up until twenty years ago was literally impossible. No one did anything like this for that many innings. When I was a kid, Goose Gossage had for some time been as fearsome a relief ace as you could imagine. Gossage’s career high for strikeouts per nine innings was 10.2 - a number that today would be scarcely noticeable. > [@Hari\_Seldon](#): > > Once they use automatic ball/strike calls, they will be able to make minor tweaks in the strike zone. And hitters will be able to take advantage of the consistency, which does not happen today. In yesterday’s Blue Jays - Rays game, the home plate umpire blew at least ten calls, many of which were not close. I don’t know what this adds to the game of baseball. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2022, 3:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-september-october-regular-season-2022/970738/137 "2022-09-15T15:12:06Z")
> [@Hari\_Seldon](#): > > Curious. I had a pacemaker installed last February. Aside from not showering for a week, I resumed normal activities the next day. I’m not particularly knowledgeable about pacemakers, but if that’s a typical sort of recovery time, it might also suggest that LaRussa’s heart issue may be more serious than just “he needed a pacemaker.” Either that, or the White Sox are looking for a way to gently ease him out the door. ---
**Author:** ![Pleonast](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pleonast/32/1183_2.png) [@Pleonast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pleonast)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2022, 3:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-september-october-regular-season-2022/970738/138 "2022-09-15T15:14:07Z")
> [@RickJay](#): > > In yesterday’s Blue Jays - Rays game, the home plate umpire blew at least ten calls, many of which were not close. I don’t know what this adds to the game of baseball. Coming from tennis, I’m surprised the players aren’t demanding automated pitch calls. I could see some reticence from the umpires, but you’ll still need an official at home plate. Who won’t be subject to abuse from blown calls. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2022, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-september-october-regular-season-2022/970738/139 "2022-09-15T15:17:43Z")
> [@Pleonast](#): > > Coming from tennis, I’m surprised the players aren’t demanding automated pitch calls. I heard they’re experimenting with a challenge system. Only the pitcher, catcher or batter can challenge. It takes about 6 seconds. Not sure if they’ll limit the number, but I guess they’ll have to play around with it in the minor leagues and see. Unless they just go with the automated strike zone, and then they won’t need it. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2022, 3:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-september-october-regular-season-2022/970738/140 "2022-09-15T15:18:32Z")
> [@Pleonast](#): > > Coming from tennis, I’m surprised the players aren’t demanding automated pitch calls. I could see some reticence from the umpires, but you’ll still need an official at home plate. Who won’t be subject to abuse from blown calls. Tennis is my go to example for a sport that takes officiating seriously. Baseball does not. Hell, even before they perfected the computer tech, hjow many officials do they assign to a big time match? By my count it’s eleven. There is an official for literally every relevant line on the court. Baseball has four umps in most games not because that makes sense - it doesn’t - but because they just always have. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-september-october-regular-season-2022/970738.md?page=6) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-september-october-regular-season-2022/970738.md?page=8)