How should non-playoff teams finish the season?
by RedHopeful on Sep 19, 2007 11:07 PM EDT
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PrintThere's been some controversy lately regarding the way some non-contending teams have been playing of late. Specifically, I heard that some (mostly Cubs and their fans) are upset by the fact that the Astro's have changed their rotation and inserted a bunch of rookies with their recent series against the BrewCrew. The Cubs feel that Houston isn't putting their best team on the field during the most important part of the season. They think this gives the Brewers a competitive advantage and thus a greater likelihood of winning. Houston counters with the fact that since they're out of it they want to have a look at some rookies (Oswalt's wife did have a baby so his substituted start shouldn't be argued.) Knowing their would be some questions, the Astros interim general manager even called the Cubs to let him know of his actions. Nice gesture, I think.
Question is do you think teams should be allowed to do whatever they want and play any player they so choose or, as a professional courtesy, field their starters/best players most of the time?
Personally, I think teams that aren't in playoff contention should be allowed to play their rookies as much as they wish. I don't feel this takes anything away from the pennant races. In fact, I would think the rookies would put forth greater effort to do well as they want to make a place for themselves in the majors. What do you guys think?
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Tough Q
Also can argue that it is harder to go up against AAA guys that you have never seen before; this can possibly make up for the perceived drop in talent level from inserting a AAA guy in the lineup.
And I know he isnt a Sept callup, but you can't tell me the Stros aren't playing hard...just heard Hunter Pence tried to go through the wall to catch a ball.
simple
What is not ok is giving all the veterans days off, at once, against the competing teams.
And what is not ok is playing veterans much of the month and then playing rookies for a specific series.
Agree with pedrophile!
I agree with pedrophile in virtually everything he said.
Like jrose643, I too can see the argument for each side, and therefore, could probably be persuaded either way, but I think it's only logical and natural for out-of-contention teams to look at young players who can assist the team in the following year or two, plus the fact that they are rewarding those players who had good years down in the Minors. That's been happening for some time and I doubt that's going to be changing any time soon.
Granted, it's frustrating for teams in contention to see other teams in contention face teams throwing several AAA and even some AA players at them, but that's why you have to keep playing at a high level yourselves throughout the season so you don't have to rely on others to give you help because you might not get it. The main point is to take care of your own business on the field and the other will take care of itself. In the Cubs' case, the Brewers still have to go out and beat the Astros - and tonight, the Brewers didn't, losing to the Astros 5-4 in 10 innings. Plus, Milwaukee lost 2/3 to the Pirates from April 10-12, who I believe have been playing a decent number of players with limited or no ML experience for a while now, so there are no guarantees when you face a predominantly AAA/AA lineup.
Plus, the Brewers still have to face Atlanta, who is still technically in the race, and San Diego, who's still battling in the NL West and leading the NL Wild Card, so all-in-all, it probably evens out in the end in terms of teams putting their full ML lineups in every night and those who put in 1/3 to 1/2 ML and 1/2 to 2/3 AAA/AA. Case in point, the Cubs finish up with Pittsburgh, Florida, and Cincinnati, three teams who likely will put in a good number of AAA/AA players into their lineups and rotations, so the Cubs might benefit from the very thing they seem to be complaining about the Brewers receiving - no offense, but they might benefit even more from it than the Brewers because the Brewers have to finish their season playing 2 series with playoff-contending teams, while the Cubs finish up their season having series with 3 teams that have been out of the race for a while.
All-in-all, your best bet is to play your best game against your current opponent and win, and let the rest take care of itself.
Just my 2 cents - no offense. :-)
Take care and have a great day!
FWIW
Why they chose this guy to try to give us our first 5-game win streak since like late April is beyond me. At least he get ground balls.
+2
Its Your Team
by jlost284 on Sep 20, 2007 8:05 AM EDT reply actions
that's true
it's a bit odd to me, the timing. and i'm a little disappointed in it, as a baseball fan. if a team has a preference as to who gets in in their own division, if it isn't them, then that needs to be corrected. the role of spoiler should be taken just as seriously no matter who you're playing. if you're playing games where no spoiler role is in play, then bring your whole damn single a team up and play 'em, for all i care.
by huckleberry on Sep 20, 2007 10:54 AM EDT up reply actions
yeah
I think MLB should change the rules
I like getting a look at the young players as much as anyone, but if that takes precedence over the competition then why not have a 40 man roster all year?
by my dixie wrecked on Sep 20, 2007 12:08 PM EDT reply actions
I think...
by my dixie wrecked on Sep 20, 2007 12:13 PM EDT up reply actions
I Call Shenanigans
Matt
by WayneCampbell05 on Sep 21, 2007 4:29 PM EDT reply actions
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