MLB Strikes Again

[Alkie]

In an effort to boost sagging ratings for the World Series, Major League Baseball will announce Monday that the 2007 Fall Classic will start on Wednesday instead of Saturday, USA Today reported.

A Wednesday start will allow baseball to avoid playing on Friday, which is TV's second-least watched night after Saturday. If the Series goes to a Game 5, it also would go head-to-head with ESPN's Monday Night Football.

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2869747

Dat's a preety gude idea, maign.

Let's see.  Ratings are sagging, can't even get people to watch on a Friday night, so...let's put Game Five up against the Packers/Broncos.  Granted, that football game will suck; it's still a stupid idea.

Which will result in fewer viewers........Friday night baseball or opposite the biggest show on television?

I like the cut of Bud's jib.  He's a thinker, he is.

[HurricaneDavid]

I wonder if this means that there will be more off days in-between the LCSes and World Series, meaning more time for each team to set their rotations.

[Alkie]

Oooh.   That's a damn good question.

[MusicMan]

As it currently stands - yes, there will be.

The idea here, as I understanding, is to use the "unopposed" Wed/Thurs nights to generate interest in the series.

[Alkie]

I can't be alone in this...I'm MUCH more likely to be able to watch Game One on a Saturday than I am on a Wednesday.  Am I the only one?

[MRaup]

I can't be alone in this...I'm MUCH more likely to be able to watch Game One on a Saturday than I am on a Wednesday.  Am I the only one?

Maybe they'll give the World Series the Astros Playoff Game Treatment(tm), so we'll have to take a day off to go watch it since it starts at 1:30pm. Hey, its BOUND to beat those Soap Operas its up against.

[JimR]

I can't be alone in this...I'm MUCH more likely to be able to watch Game One on a Saturday than I am on a Wednesday.  Am I the only one?

i do not care what day it starts on. this is a non-issue to me. if i care about it, i'll watch on any day of the week.

[Alkie]

OBVIOUSLY.

The question isn't "will this affect how you, the diehard baseball fan, will watch the Series" because that's a stupid question.  If it was on at 4 in the morning, I guess I'm up at 4 in the am.

The question is "if MLB is trying to fuck with the scheduling of the World Series to get more non-diehards to watch, how the fuck does putting it opposite MNF seem to be a good idea?"

[JimR]

OBVIOUSLY.

The question isn't "will this affect how you, the diehard baseball fan, will watch the Series" because that's a stupid question.  If it was on at 4 in the morning, I guess I'm up at 4 in the am.

The question is "if MLB is trying to fuck with the scheduling of the World Series to get more non-diehards to watch, how the fuck does putting it opposite MNF a good idea?"

beats me.

[mrpink]

OBVIOUSLY.

The question isn't "will this affect how you, the diehard baseball fan, will watch the Series" because that's a stupid question.  If it was on at 4 in the morning, I guess I'm up at 4 in the am.

The question is "if MLB is trying to fuck with the scheduling of the World Series to get more non-diehards to watch, how the fuck does putting it opposite MNF a good idea?"

From listening to Mike & Mike this morning it seemed like MLB's thought process was (like MM said) to generate interest in games 3, 4, and 5 by getting more people the opportunity to watch the first two games during the week.  They also mentioned the possibility of having the Saturday game start during the afternoon to avoid college football conflicts.

[MusicMan]

Because MNF is dying a rapid death?

Because putting something on Wednesday night is ALWAYS a better TV move that putting it on Saturday night?

Because the move to a Saturday afternoon game might be one of the most "future over the $$$" moves Selig has ever made?

[MRaup]

Because MNF is dying a rapid death?

Because putting something on Wednesday night is ALWAYS a better TV move that putting it on Saturday night?

Because the move to a Saturday afternoon game might be one of the first "future over the $$$" moves Selig has ever made?

There, I fixed it for you.

[Lefty]

The idea here, as I understanding, is to use the "unopposed" Wed/Thurs nights to generate interest in the series.

Sounds like a good idea to me.

Don't recall how the postseason schedules looked in the past as far as time between series, but here's this year's:  http://mlb.mlb.com/news/press_releases/press_release.jsp?ymd=20070514&content_id=1964536&vkey=pr_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb

[Alkie]

Wow.

So as long as the NLCS doesn't go 7, the NL gets to set their rotation however it please, and honestly, with a 4 man playoff rotation, it would get to do that even if the NLCS DOES go 7.

I'm absolutely for this idea.

To me, the WS should be set up so both rotations are stacked.  I want to see the best vs the best and so forth.   

[T. J.]

Wow.

So as long as the NLCS doesn't go 7, the NL gets to set their rotation however it please, and honestly, with a 4 man playoff rotation, it would get to do that even if the NLCS DOES go 7.

I'm absolutely for this idea.

To me, the WS should be set up so both rotations are stacked.  I want to see the best vs the best and so forth.   

If the NLCS is a sweep, there will be NINE DAYS between games for the NL champ. 

[ValpoCory]

In an effort to boost sagging ratings for the World Series, Major League Baseball will announce Monday that the 2007 Fall Classic will start on Wednesday instead of Saturday, USA Today reported.

A Wednesday start will allow baseball to avoid playing on Friday, which is TV's second-least watched night after Saturday.

In previous years, there were no Friday World Series games either.  I'm not sure why they think this change is an improvement.  A series that starts on Saturday plays Sat-Sun--Tues-Wed-Thur--Sat-Sun.

[ValpoCory]

Sounds like a good idea to me.

Don't recall how the postseason schedules looked in the past as far as time between series, but here's this year's:  http://mlb.mlb.com/news/press_releases/press_release.jsp?ymd=20070514&content_id=1964536&vkey=pr_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb

Unlike past years, there are now days off in between ALCS/NLCS Game 4 and ALCS/NLCS Game 5.  This reduces the conflicts that caused the Brandon Backs 2004 NLCS masterpiece to be seen on FX by most of the country. 

[Curly]

The fucking dill holes scheduling playoff baseball on a weekday afternoon simply amazes me.  Somebody please get me that job, I mean you have to suck at your job worse than a weather person, at least they get it right about 30% of the time. 

[Mr. Happy]

I think that Game 7, if played, will be played on 1 November. Nice job, assheads.

[Curly]

I think that Game 7, if played, will be played on 1 November. Nice job, assheads.

Holy crap, I'm coining the phrase "Mr. November".  From this point going forward, no one can use that phrase without written consent from me.  In addition I will receive 10% of any earnings obtained from the utilization of said phrase.

[HurricaneDavid]

I think that Game 7, if played, will be played on 1 November. Nice job, assheads.

Who cares if it's 11/1 or 10/30?

[Limey]

I think that Game 7, if played, will be played on 1 November. Nice job, assheads.

I'm sure the weather will be pleasant in, say, Boston at that time of year.  Just like it is in Cleveland in April, as far as MLB knows.

[Curly]

Who cares if it's 11/1 or 10/30?

My wallet.  I own "Mr. November" now.  Who touched my ass?

[Bench]

Holy crap, I'm coining the phrase "Mr. November".  From this point going forward, no one can use that phrase without written consent from me.  In addition I will receive 10% of any earnings obtained from the utilization of said phrase.

Too late. It has already been applied to Derek Jeter in a series the Yankees lost.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Derek_Jeter

Later in that same postseason, after hitting a game-ending home run off of Byung-Hyun Kim in Game 4 of the 2001 World Series, the first Major League Baseball game ever played in November, Jeter was given by many the nickname "Mr. November," a reference to Reggie Jackson's nickname, "Mr. October."

[Limey]

Too late. It has already been applied to Derek Jeter in a series the Yankees lost.

That moniker strikes me as dripping with sarcasm.  Of course, such will be lost on Yankmee and Jeter fans.

[Curly]

Well crap...so he's November, A-hole is October and Munson is April through September.  DAMN IT ALL TO HELL!  
Speaking of hell, how the hell Munson isn't in the HOF still amazes me.

[ValpoCory]

The fucking dill holes scheduling playoff baseball on a weekday afternoon simply amazes me.  Somebody please get me that job, I mean you have to suck at your job worse than a weather person, at least they get it right about 30% of the time. 

Yep, and it appears we will have at least two weekday day playoff games again this year, since TBS has to show 6 games in 2 days.  If there are no West Coast teams with home field advantage for Games 1 and 2, then expect up to 4 of these 6 to be either noon or 3pm CST starts.

Series   Date   Network
NLDS A Game 1   Wed., Oct. 3   TBS
NLDS B Game 1   Wed., Oct. 3   TBS
ALDS B Game 1   Wed., Oct. 3   TBS
NLDS A Game 2   Thurs., Oct. 4   TBS
NLDS B Game 2   Thurs., Oct. 4   TBS
ALDS A Game 1   Thurs., Oct. 4   TBS

[ValpoCory]

Here's another scheduling conundrum.  It affects the AL this year, but if nothing changes it will affect the
NL next year.

ALDS A

ALDS A Game 1   Thurs., Oct. 4   TBS
ALDS A Game 2   Fri., Oct. 5   TBS
off day
ALDS A Game 3   Sun., Oct. 7   TBS/TNT
ALDS A Game 4   Mon., Oct. 8   TBS
off day
ALDS A Game 5   Wed., Oct. 10   TBS

For a team like Minnesota, schedule A cripples them, for barring a short rest start, Johan Santana will have to wait until Game 5, and have to go on an extra day's rest.

ALDS B

ALDS B Game 1   Wed., Oct. 3   TBS
off day
ALDS B Game 2   Fri., Oct. 5   TBS
off day
ALDS B Game 3   Sun., Oct. 7   TBS/TNT
ALDS B Game 4   Mon., Oct. 8   TBS
off day
ALDS B Game 5   Wed., Oct. 10   TBS

This marks the first time ever that an LDS series will have up to 3 off days.

This one would definitely be preferable for teams with a strong ace, being able to pitch them in Games 1 and 4, in addition to bringing them back for an inning of relief in Game 5 on his regular bullpen day.

[Trey]

Wow.

So as long as the NLCS doesn't go 7, the NL gets to set their rotation however it please, and honestly, with a 4 man playoff rotation, it would get to do that even if the NLCS DOES go 7.

I'm absolutely for this idea.

To me, the WS should be set up so both rotations are stacked.  I want to see the best vs the best and so forth.   

I'm pretty sure this game was on Fox.  I don't have cable, and I watched it.

[ValpoCory]

I'm pretty sure this game was on Fox.  I don't have cable, and I watched it.

Who said Game 7 (I assume you are referring to 2004?) was not of FOX?

[ValpoCory]

Wow.

So as long as the NLCS doesn't go 7, the NL gets to set their rotation however it please, and honestly, with a 4 man playoff rotation, it would get to do that even if the NLCS DOES go 7.

I'm absolutely for this idea.

To me, the WS should be set up so both rotations are stacked.  I want to see the best vs the best and so forth.   

No more Pete Munro multi-start series.

[WulawHorn]

I'm pretty sure this game was on Fox.  I don't have cable, and I watched it.

sort of, but not really. It was on Fox in Houston, STL and select other markets with Bos v NY on FX there. 

Almost everywhere else in the country (~80%) it was NY v Bos on Fox and Backe v stl on FX.