PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) - This baseball season will look unlike any other in history from a shortened season, no fans in the stands and various rule changes.
The designated hitter is being implemented in the National League this year and games that going to extra innings will see a running starting the inning off on second base.
Pirates’ pitcher Joe Musgrove tells the PM Team he is not a big fan of that and says he would prefer to see a home run derby decide a game.
A lot of people say it’s gimmicky but so is the shootout to decide NHL games after a five minute overtime.
“I think it would be exciting,” said Musgrove. “Ultimately that’s what is seems like Manfred and the MLB are trying to do is enhance the excitement of the game, and the intensity and the enjoyment of the fans to watch.”
If the MLB wants game to end quicker trying to avoid long extra-inning games, he asks why not make it fun for the fans?
“I think it’d be a better an alternative than starting a running at second base so if I had a choice between the two I guess I’d take the home run derby than starting a runner at second,” said Musgrove.
Musgrove is also disappointed that the DH is coming to the National League and adds he may still take swings in the batting cages because it gives him something to distract him from thinking too much about pitching.
Poni and Mueller debated the homerun derby idea as well and Mueller says he would like to see extra innings in the 10th, 11th and 12th inning and then move on to the home run derby and predicts teams would strategize differently in the first couple extra innings.