Quote:
Originally posted by grayman
This seems like a bit of an overstatement. Adding the DH only changes the lineup by one player, so even in the NL, most of the line-up could still be able to smack the ball. Even in the AL, someone will still be batting 9th. Very few teams have a line-up full of great hitters, and the pitcher is rarely the only culprit. Further, I think that there has been a generally de-emphasis of both stealing bases and bunting as most teams and players just try to hit the long ball.
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First of all I'm a DBacks fan and love the NL.
Changing that one batter makes things very different. Look at how much Schillings K/9 rate has dropped. In the last 3 years it was well over 10, now it's less than 8. His opponents batting average has also gone up 20 points.
I don't think the double switch is all that great and it's annoying to have to pull a reliever because you need the pinch hitter. That said, I still prefer the NL. The use of the DH allows 1 dimensional players to continue their careers.
Small ball has diminished in both leagues as Moneyball has taken over. Bunting is now viewed by most as a waste of an out.
RE: The DBacks-Dodgers game on Sunday. Great stuff. I loved seeing Valverde strike LoDuca out. He's a great pitcher when he's on. Jose Hernandez is a windmill though. Sure, he's hitting well this season but striking out is what he does best. I don't know what your hitting coach has done to him, his K/BB ratio is way down from his career numbers. He'll eventually revert as has Beltre (lost 80 points from his batting average in May).