The 2020 season is indeed a very difficult and different season. The outbreak of COVID-19 caused the MLB to suspend the spring training and make several changes in the regular season and postseason. A major change is an extra-innings rule that begins each extra inning with a runner on second base.
So in this 60-game season, which team did benefit the most from this rule?
San Diego Padres absolutely have a great 2020. They clinched a berth in the playoff for the first time since 2006. They didn’t lose any extra inning games this season. In these 4 games, the Padres scored 15 runs and posted an OPS with 1.284 in the extra innings.
The Cincinnati Reds are back in the playoff for the first time since 2013. They didn’t lose extra inning games in this season, either. They only played 2 extra inning games and won both. The Reds scored four runs and had a 1.611 OPS in the extra innings.
The Red Sox truly had a disappointing 2020. They finished 5th in the AL East and the winning percentage was only .400. They definitely hate this extra inning rule. In the extra innings, the Red Sox only had 3 hits and scored 5 runs.
The Arizona Diamondbacks didn’t win any extra innings games this season. They lost all three extra inning games against the division rival Dodgers. It’s definitely a bad idea to play against the Dodgers in the extra innings.
The Pittsburgh Pirates lost most games this season and they are the only NL Central team that did not clinch a playoff berth. They won only once in the extra inning games and lost five times. The only win was an 8-inning game against the Cardinals. Yes, 8 innings. Another rule changed in this season is that two 7-inning games for a doubleheader. The Pirates won both games of a doubleheader on August 27.
The New York Mets lost 4 extra inning games. On August 30, the Mets lost two games of a doubleheader against the New York Yankees. Both games went 8 innings.
The Astros played 9 extra inning games this season and they took 7 losses. Among these 7 losses, two were 13-inning games, one was an 11-inning game and 4 losses were from 10-inning games. Astros hitters only bat .170 in extra innings while their pitchers gave up only 3 earned runs.
Oakland Athletics got 6 extra inning victories. Oakland’s first game of this season went 10 innings and the A’s won the game by Matt Olson’s walk-off grand slam. A’s scored 12 runs in the extra innings and gave up 6 runs (3 earned).
The Los Angeles Dodgers scored 14 runs in the extra innings, however, the team batting average in extra innings was only .216 this season. In these 5 victories, three were 1-run games and two were 2-run games.
The 2019 World Series Champions Nationals failed to clinch a playoff berth this season. But they played well in extra inning games. Nationals, Reds, Padres and Brewers pitchers did not allow any earned runs in extra innings.
We probably won’t see this extra innings rule again next season. But we probably won’t forget some extra inning games this year. It’s not traditional baseball we know, however, it’s a product of this shortened 2020 season.
No comments:
Post a Comment