Strange new MLB Spring Training rules?

[Mike Huntertz]

A warning for those that might want to wager on a game or two.....................

They have some unusual rules this year; one of the weird ones is if a pitcher throws 20+ pitches in an inning, his manager can simply end the inning, just by saying so.

Up 5-2 in top of 6th Sunday, Angels had bases loaded, but the SF pitcher had reached 20 pitches that inning, so Gabe Kapler just told the umpire the half-inning was over. MLB is trying to prevent pitchers from overworking themselves this spring.

Some games are 5 innings, some 7, others 9, at least until March 13, when they’re expected to go back to all nine-inning games.

[Bluehorseshoe]

So why have the games? Let the guy's practice till they're ready. lol

[pologq]

exactly. just do scrimmages for practice. no lines or betting. friendly 3 or 4 inning scrimmages like when i was a kid and we were in the park during the carefree summer.

[Bcatswin]

This is dumb

[LLXC]

It's definitely frustrating from a bettor's point of view.

The pitcher rule is bizarre since you still have a bullpen...

For the 5/7/9 innings, it was supposed to be agreed upon the day before, but it's as though they aren't making the decision public because sportsbooks aren't releasing adjusted totals.

[Chi_archie]

So why have the games? Let the guy's practice till they're ready. lol

why not have the games?

seems the only answer here would be, because it makes it hard to bet.

the batters, position players, and pitchers and fans 95% of the time are benefitting from this live action. The mini spring training economies are benefitting.

I think all of that is a great thing.

if books are offering totals, it just adds another reason to bet unders blindly.

I've never believed in betting spring training anyways.

It's never been a game where the sole goal is to win.

this is just another tweak among many, that shows, they have zero interest in the outcome.

do you think when Gerrit Cole is going to throw 3 innings in late march and the team and him tell reporters they will throw nothing but change-ups.... that they care if they win or not?

[LLXC]

Up 5-2 in top of 6th Sunday, Angels had bases loaded, but the SF pitcher had reached 20 pitches that inning, so Gabe Kapler just told the umpire the half-inning was over.

The game log says that didn't happen in that game, though it did happen in the STL/WAS game in the top 1st with the bases loaded and 1 out. And I think there were only 2 outs when the inning ended in the bottom 1st for COL, bottom 3rd for SEA, and bottom 5th for KC.

[Mr. Teaser]

It happened several times in the Braves/Red Sox game.