I would agree to a point, but that it is more of a playoff phenomenon vs regular season. Is there any reason to give starting pitchers $25m per year if they can't go 5 innings in a playoff game? There seems to be this movement to pull starters before the third time through the lineup (which could also skew the stats to make relievers look better than they really are).

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The paradigm is shifting.

There will always be guys who can go deep, but they will be even more rare and exotic. But the days of bullpens just being failed/old starters and retreads are over.

Yeah, I can see the fundamental structure of staffs changing based on number of times through the lineup. Will be interesting to see how that plays out with agents and players if staffs no longer have $25-30m starters, but instead a bunch of $5-10m pitchers who rotate in for a few innings.

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That's not sustainable for 162 games.

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O judgment! Thou art fled to brutish beasts,
And men have lost their reason.

It's already happening, dolphin.

Average start goes down every year, eventually it will be around 3 2/3 to 4 innings. We're almost there now.

#That'sSoCub

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There are only two examples of infinity: The universe and human stupidity and I'm not sure about the universe.

What?

Actually, Cubs are LATE on this party.

How long do Cubbie ace Hendricks starts go? Or now Q, the saviour?

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There are only two examples of infinity: The universe and human stupidity and I'm not sure about the universe.

Not real long, but quite a bit longer than Sox starters this time of year.

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Are you still drunk from last night?

I dont even know what you're talking about. This bullpen discussion has very little to do with the Cubs other than the fact that they need to get on board.

And your glorious Dodgers are up 2-0 without their starters going beyond 5, so yes, it's a thing.


I get that your happy about the Cubs losing. Good for you. But you're making no sense.

The reason starters are going only 5 innings is because there is too much emphasis on the strikeout. They should be trying to pitch to weak contact, instead they are trying to get people to swing at balls that are just off the plate. Too much nibbling. 100-110 pitches used to get you somewhere. But now everyone needs to throw 20 pitches an inning because they are trying to strike everyone out.

Every baseball discussion we try to have here is viewed by Sox fans as some sort of Cubs-Sox thing even when it isn't.

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Max effort/strike em out is the most effective way to stop offenses currently though, so doesn't matter.

Schwarber's regression is remarkable. Two years ago he was the toast of the town. Last year people were lighting votive candles for his knee to heal sufficiently for the playoffs. Now, he is damaging to the lineup both offensively and defensively.

_________________
O judgment! Thou art fled to brutish beasts,
And men have lost their reason.

I wish this was trolling but it's just the truth.

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Not really that crazy though. He had a killer run through the 2015 playoffs and came back from injury to help win the World Series (2016)


Of course a guy like that is going to be beloved. The Cardinals thought they had the next Scott Rolen with David Freese. He's just a guy now.

God, that's depressing. Baseball sucks now.

_________________
Fare you well, fare you well
I love you more than words can tell
Listen to the river sing sweet songs
To rock my soul

he's still going to be a good hitter. He's not Kevin Maas.

It just may not be with the Cubs.

_________________
Ба́бушка гада́ла, да на́двое сказа́ла—то ли до́ждик, то ли снег, то ли бу́дет, то ли нет.

I'm fine with it.


Once they enact my "no warm ups on the mound, just come in from the pen and begin pitching" rule the time issue will be solved.

I believe they should also implement a rule that the starting pitcher must move somewhere in the field once they are removed and continue to bat until the end of the game.

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That might actually help the Cubs score some runs.

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Maybe with Arrieta.

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And also if your starter can't last four goddamn innings you forfeit the game on principle alone.

_________________
Fare you well, fare you well
I love you more than words can tell
Listen to the river sing sweet songs
To rock my soul

My idea is legit though.

Its like two minutes of waiting every time a new pitcher comes in. You cut that out and you drop 10 minutes from game time.

its really stupid. At most they should get 3 pitches off the mound. But even that is unnecessary.

Are you saying mine isn't legit?

I see why Sox fans dislike you.

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1967
if your starter can't last 9 goddamn innings you forfeit the game on principle alone.

1977
if your starter can't last 8 goddamn innings you forfeit the game on principle alone.

1987
if your starter can't last 7 goddamn innings you forfeit the game on principle alone.

1997
if your starter can't last 6 goddamn innings you forfeit the game on principle alone.

2007
if your starter can't last 5 goddamn innings you forfeit the game on principle alone.

2017
if your starter can't last 4 goddamn innings you forfeit the game on principle alone.



By 2047 we'll be looking at 9 pitchers per game.

Big reason why your sport is dying. It's a shame you enthusiastically support it.

_________________
Fare you well, fare you well
I love you more than words can tell
Listen to the river sing sweet songs
To rock my soul

Next year the Cubs will have time to work Maples into a role of late inning flame thrower. Shit I would have thrown him on the roster this postseason.

Adbert Alzolay and Oscar De La Cruz, two more high velocity starting pitchers they have might also find their way into the bullpen. Esp De La Cruz who can't stay healthy. Also keep an eye on Brandon Little (if starting isn't in the cards).

My sport is not dying. Baseball is better than ever and is currently getting a shot in the arm from the people afraid to let their kids play your sport.


It wont go much beyond the 3-4 inning thing and you'll still have guys that go 6-7 innings, just not every day and every pitcher.

Why is the game tomorrow starting at 8 and not 7?

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"He is a loathsome, offensive brute
--yet I can't look away."