Caught in Time

Some things about bizarre-baseball I don’t mind, like expanded rosters and the DH in the National League.  Change is good, or necessary.  One thing I don’t like is a carryover from pre-COVID days:  Games take too damn’ long.

 

Yesterday, the Cubs’ Yu Darvish and Jeremy Jeffress combined to shut out the Reds, 3-0; there were sixteen total hits and walks, minus two double plays.  The game took 2:47 to play.  Maybe I should mention here that it was a seven-inning affair, the first half of a twin-bill.  Double headers only go seven innings this season.

 

Also yesterday, the Yankees topped the Mets by a score of 2-1 in a game that featured fourteen total hits and walks, minus one double play.  So, why did it take 3:00 to play?  Maybe the Mets using seven pitchers had something to do with it.

 

And just maybe a crap-load of commercials; there seem to be more than ever.  They’re even going split-screen during the game to run yet more ads.  So much for blaming this on the fans.  There aren’t any at the game to slow things down.  The snail’s pace is all by design.

 

Lucas Giolito’s no hitter on Tuesday took 2:23.  Maybe that’s the answer, pitching complete games where the other side gets just one baserunner.  But I doubt Commissioner Rob Manfred would go for it.  Not enough commercial time.