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Travis Sawchik
12:39
If the Indians employ Clevinger as a super reliever, I like it ... if he gets lost in the pen, then I don't
Johnny5
12:42
We always hear how BA is no longer important, yet Altuve is going to win MVP based on his BA. What gives?
Travis Sawchik
12:42
To many voters it matters. It will matter less as the voting electorate changes
pirates hurdles
12:42
Daytime playoff games are much better than starting them at 830 at night when no one in the East with a job or school can stay up until the end.
Travis Sawchik
12:43
A good-old-fashioned 8 pm EST playoff game would be nice
CryinChuck
12:43
my fantasy team collapsed in the playoffs for the 3rd straight year despite finishing at the top of the regular season standings.  Once again pitching let me down.  Give me fantasy wisdom to fill the black void in my soul right now!
Travis Sawchik
12:43
TRUST THE PROCESS!
Keep getting there and you will break through
PF
12:43
How many question about kneeling have you received today?
Travis Sawchik
12:44
This was the first!
Simmons
12:44
Is elite pitching too influential in MLB to permit short series?
Travis Sawchik
12:44
That's one problem I have with the Wild Card format ....
12:45
Elite pitching can warp a series and change the nature of the way the game is played during the regular season (truncated staffs, etc) .. But it's not like the NFL (QB) or NBA (Star player) where one player can take over a series
Or an outcome
Depressing...
Travis Sawchik
12:46
MLB clubhouses are generally more conservative places than in NFL or NBA
12:47
I don't have a kneeling hot take, though, sorry
Guest
12:47
Hey Travis! Huge fan here from Israel. Ever been?
Travis Sawchik
12:48
I have not! Am I invited?
Anon
12:48
Of the 1000 or so players currently in the majors, how many names do you know?  100%?
Travis Sawchik
12:49
I don't know 100%. This would be a fun game to play to find the exact percentage but I don't think we have the time.
E
12:49
The NBA has a similar “problem” with elite players in the playoffs. In the regular season teams will play anywhere from 8-10 guys in a night. In the playoffs teams will usually not play any more than 8. Stars go from playing 30 minutes a game to 38 in the playoffs.
Travis Sawchik
12:50
And in the NBA your best player can hypothetically take ever shot.
LeBron/Jordan/Curry type MVP-level talents are touching the ball on every possession and making many decisions
Imagine Kershaw throwing 80 percent of pitches in a postseason?
12:51
Or Tom Brady only starting once every five games/
The MLB is the most democratic of sports
Percy Miracles
12:51
I read a recent article about a company making maple bats and began wondering who pays for the bats players use? Is it the players? The team? What about minor league affiliates? I was curious if you knew
Travis Sawchik
12:51
Players generally choose and pay for their bats, I believe
Terence
12:51
Let's not act like Altuve is only BA. He's 3rd in AL in OBP, 4th in SLG, 2nd in SB, and plays up the middle defensive position for the best offense in baseball.
Travis Sawchik
12:52
I certainly don't, but it's going to be a number voters look at
Perrenial Winner
12:52
CryinChuck: You have to adapt on the fly and make roster adjustments when necessary. Winning in the playoffs is all about going with the hot hands over those that got you to the dance. (2017: Matt Olson, Tim Anderson, etc.)
Travis Sawchik
12:53
The playoffs are fun, but I almost wish there were regular season champions recognized to a greater degree and the tournament was more of a separate thing .. But we want to be entertained and have high stakes
What I've learned is Americans love making decisions upon small sample sizes ;)
Simmons
12:53
Thanks for taking my question.  I think Bumgarner was an example of an elite pitcher who did take over a series, right?  I think it is every bit as large an influence as LeBron James, say.
Travis Sawchik
12:54
Bumgarner might have a greater impact on days he pitches, but he still doesn't play every game. Interesting to consider, though .
Anon
12:54
I wish CC Sabatgia would take a knee. What's he got to lose?
Travis Sawchik
12:55
It's really an individual decision so I wouldn't judge
PS
12:58
Aaron judge should win MVP, i'll hang up and listen.
Travis Sawchik
1:00
His overall value is so close to that of Altuve but I think Judge has some trickle-down value that isn't accounted for in that he sees more pitches and wears down opposing staffs a little more ..... On the other hand, Altuve's production has been more meaningful in context of the winning-and-losing of games http://www.fangraphs.com/leaders.aspx?pos=all&stats=bat&lg=all&qual=y&...
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