Quote from fenn68 on July 6, 2020, 10:06 am

Quote from Randy Manese on July 5, 2020, 4:50 pm

Good question, Ben.  Batting titles and percentages typically sort themselves out by Plate Appearances(PA), i.e., having the minimum of PA to qualify.  In a 60 game schedule you are talking about less than 1/2 the usual number of PA's, possibly around 200 - 250, which would make a hitter "eligible".  My asterisk would be to go back over the history of the game and see the fewest PA's a player had to take a batting title.  If that number is exceeded in 2020, then don't put an asterisk; if not, then an asterisk is wholly appropriate.  You could say the same thing about ERA - got to have a minimum number of innings pitched to qualify for the lowest ERA ever that counted in the baseball history books.  Probably no other standard hitting or pitching statistics will be threatened because of the very short season to accumulate jaw-dropping numbers.

Under the current rules ... 186 PA would qualify a player for the batting title (3.1 PA per game scheduled). Since everyone played under the same rules .... should be no need for an asterisk to declare someone a batting champ in 2020.

As for hitting .400 ... don't really care since that is a pretty arbitrary line for fans to debate. Why not be worried about the last person to hit .380 or .375? If you want and endless debate ... can always insert "but" in every stats situation. In 1941 Ted Williams did not play the full 154 game schedule .... he played against only 7 other AL opponents ... train travel was easier .... slider / cutter not prevalent ... good FB was in the high 80s ... there was only 1 other team (NYY) with a record greater than .500 (basically the opponents were really bad). Williams does deserve the accolades of a great hitter in 1941 and his career ... but whether someone hits .400 in 2020 is worth the concern.

Quote from Randy Manese on July 6, 2020, 11:54 am

Thanks for clarifying the PA multiple.  I guess that is what prevented the Padres from having 4 batting titles winners in the minors last year with Ty France losing out in the PCL.  Cronenworth, Castillo and Campusano all topped their respective leagues.  Since only Campusano is projected highly, batting titles in the minors always seem highly over-rated.  Really sad that we can't see a full year of growth from Campusano, both offensively and defensively.  Hope he benefits from the more intense tutoring he might get by being on the "taxi" squad.

Quote from fenn68 on July 6, 2020, 12:49 pm

MLB is releasing the 2020 schedule today.

Early leaks suggest the Padres will open in SD against AZ ... start time at 6:10 PM local time.

IF that start time become the norm .... should be able to get games done by 9 PM ... good. As important is the national TV should be better with east coast getting a 9 - midnight window for greater Padre exposure.

Random thoughts ... since the "marine layer" is historically an issue early in the season (Apr - Jun) and after the sun goes down causing a dampening of offense (power) .... playing earlier games in Aug-Sep could be a real (and artificial) boost to the offense stats for the season.

I would have considered a 5:10 start for even an earlier end time for national TV purposes ... but the "sun field" may be an issue. Hope the earlier start time is "standard" across the league plus no reason not to schedule a ton of day games daily across MLB allowing TV to blanket morning through evening hours on the west coast.

 

Quote from fenn68 on July 6, 2020, 4:44 pm

Schedule is out ... maybe a bit of an advantage for the Padres:

1. The inter league games are not 4 per opponent but

... 6 .... Seattle (weak)

... 4 .... Texas, LAA

... 3 .... Houston, Oak ... and Houston is all in SD

With every win critical in a short season ... seems like a plus

2. 3 off days in the last 11 ... great to rest the staff and set up desired matchups.

Quote from fenn68 on July 6, 2020, 4:46 pm

6 of the 10 against the LAD are at PETCO!

Quote from MrPadre19 on July 6, 2020, 6:29 pm

Quote from fenn68 on July 6, 2020, 4:46 pm

6 of the 10 against the LAD are at PETCO!

Not only that but 7 of our 10 against the D-Backs are at Petco!

We play the Dodgers  a lot early....We really have to do well against the NL West and especially the Dodgers and D-Backs.

 

Quote from MrPadre19 on July 7, 2020, 5:48 am

The 6:10 game starts sure makes this East Coast Padre fan happy!

 

 

Quote from Brian Connelly on July 7, 2020, 7:33 am

Quote from fenn68 on July 6, 2020, 4:44 pm

Schedule is out ... maybe a bit of an advantage for the Padres:

1. The inter league games are not 4 per opponent but

... 6 .... Seattle (weak)

... 4 .... Texas, LAA

... 3 .... Houston, Oak ... and Houston is all in SD

With every win critical in a short season ... seems like a plus

2. 3 off days in the last 11 ... great to rest the staff and set up desired matchups.

Being in the toughest ("West") regional grouping is rough sledding, but given the circumstances, this is the best the Pads could have hoped for.  Very favorable in both the AL West, and the home slant 7/10 Dbacks, 6/10 LAD vs toughest teams in division.

Quote from MrPadre19 on July 7, 2020, 7:35 am

Esp. if Mike Trout opts out.

While this helps everyone(except LAA obviously) in the West I'd prefer to play the

Angels without the best player in baseball.